Cubic zirconia is an inexpensive diamond substitute. Also known as CZ, cubic zirconia is synthetic, which means it is created in a laboratory. Commercial production of CZ began in the 1970s.
Terms used to describe substances that are used to mimic another are faux, fake, imitation andsimulant, but cubic zirconia only becomes a problem-purchase when it is misrepresented as a diamond or other gemstone.
How Does a CZ Compare to a Diamond?
Are There Different Grades of Cubic Zirconia?
Cubic zirconia can be evaluated using the same qualities that diamonds and other gemstones are graded by: the Four Cs (color, clarity, cut and carat weight).
Is a Cubic Zirconia Suitable for an Engagement Ring?
A CZ is not as durable as a diamond, sapphire or ruby, and that means it is more likely to become scratched over time. But if you cannot budget a diamond or other very durable gem, an engagement ring set with a cubic zirconia could be a good alternative -- at least for the short term.
Cubic zirconia works nicely when set into necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings and other jewelry that is not worn on a daily basis.
How Should I Clean Cubic Zirconia Jewelry?
Cubic zirconia itself can be cleaned in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, but consider the setting materials before you drop the jewelry into the tank and turn on the switch. Use a less intense method to clean CZ jewelry crafted from sterling silver or from plated metals -- dishwashing detergent and a very soft brush may be all it takes to remove film from the CZ and return its fire.
Store cubic zirconia jewelry by itself, or well separated from gemstones that are rated as harder or softer on the Mohs scale -- that type of storage is important for all jewelry to avoid scratches.
Is Cubic Zirconia the Same as Zircon?
Gold-Filled
Also called rolled-gold. These jewelry items are not actually filled with gold. They are made of a base metal (usually brass or copper) covered by sheets of gold in a mechanical bonding process. Effectively a thick coat of gold: the gold content is 5% or 1/20 of the total weight. Use gold-filled items for your top-of-the-line jewelry. Usually made with 14k gold, it is hard wearing. With reasonable care it will not peel or flake, and should last as long as solid 14k gold jewelry. It is safe for most people with sensitive skin
Rhodium Plating
Features
Rhodium, atomic number 45 on the periodic table, is a rare metal that is colored silver-white. Rhodium is 10 times more expensive than gold, which begs the question of why rhodium is used merely for plating instead of as a foundational metal for a piece of jewelry. The answer to that lies in another prominent characteristic of the element--the fact that it is extremely brittle.
Purpose
The most common purpose of rhodium plating is to augment a piece of "white" gold jewelry to enhance the coloring and provide an added layer of protection against damage. The reason rhodium is so often paired with white gold is simple: White gold does not exist in fact. White gold is nothing more than gold mixed with another metal that has a white cast (usually silver, palladium or nickel). This results in a slightly yellow tint to the final product. As the buyer of white gold is looking for a brighter sheen, rhodium is used as a plating material to add that extra shine.
Benefits
However, aside from its coveted reflectiveness, rhodium has protective properties that make it functionally useful as a plating metal. Rhodium will never discolor or tarnish. Aside from that, it is a harder metal than gold, which means it is more scratch-resistant and more able to survive the rigors of daily wear. Rhodium is also occasionally used on silver (primarily for its scratch-resistant properties) and platinum (to enhance shine).
Conclusions
Before buying silver, platinum or white gold jewelry, ask if it has rhodium plating to enable an accurate estimate of the cost of ownership, taking the necessity of replating into consideration. While it might be a shock to learn the coveted color and shine of that treasured white gold piece of jewelry is actually rhodium, it is better to understand that fact now instead of learning it for the first time at the jeweler, where that knowledge will undoubtedly be accompanied by a bill for replating.
From - eHow
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Measuring the Quality of Cubic Zirconia
When you are looking to buy cubic zirconia, you should first look at the quality of the stone carefully. When assessing the quality of cubic zirconia, you can go by the same "4C" scale that is used to grade diamonds. The four Cs to consider when choosing a quality cubic zirconia are carat, clarity, color, and cut.
Carat Weight of Cubic Zirconia
A cubic zirconia with the same dimensions as a diamond is about 1.7 times heavier than the diamond. When the weight of cubic zirconia is given in carats, the number actually represents the carat weight of a true diamond of the same size. This is to standardize the scale so that the comparison between cubic zirconia and diamond is easy to make. Some cubic zirconia stones are measured by stone size rather than carat weight.
Cubic Zirconia Clarity
All cubic zirconia in jewelry is manufactured synthetically, since it is not a mineral that exists in a naturally abundant and pure form. Low-quality manufacturing processes causes stones to be cloudy or have visible imperfections. Colored cubic zirconia can have uneven colors or tones, so the clearest and most evenly colored stones are the most valuable.
Colored Cubic Zirconia
When synthesized by a quality manufacturer, cubic zirconia is usually clear. It is possible to introduce elements and oxides to color stones during manufacturing. The mostly highly valued cubic zirconia stones have even color and tone. Unlike colored diamonds, which are exceptionally rare, cubic zirconia is affordable and available in a variety of colors.
The Cut of Cubic Zirconia Stones
Cubic zirconia can be hand-cut or machine-cut. For the best looking and most sparkling cubic zirconia, facets are cut evenly and precisely. The standard cut for cubic zirconia is the brilliant cut, but the stones can also be cut in other styles such as the trillion, princess and radiant styles. Quality cubic zirconia is hand-cut, not machine-cut, since machine cutting can cause stones to be hazy, poorly polished or have poorly arranged facets.
The "A" System of Rating Cubic Zirconia
When buying cubic zirconia, assess the quality by weight (carat), clarity, color and cut. The quality of cubic zirconia can also be measured by a separate system with six categories. The six categories used to describe the quality of cubic zirconia are: AAAAA,highest quality, AAAA, AAA, AA, A and AB, the lowest quality. The highest quality stones are hard and clear, while the lowest quality stones are cloudy and soft. Most cubic zirconias sold today are rated as AAA quality stones. Jewelers can find customers higher quality AAAA and AAAAA stones, if desired.
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