Diamond or Cubic Zirconia: Knowing the difference can save you money! (synthetic diamond jewelry)

(synthetic diamond jewelry) To start, let’s take a look at the hardness factor: Did you know CZ ranges between 8.5 to 9.0 on the Mohs’ hardness scale, whereas diamond, one of the hardest materials known to man, is rated 10, lying at the top of the hardness scale? (synthetic diamond jewelry)

(synthetic diamond jewelry) Furthermore, glass (or sand) is rated approximately 5 to 6 on the hardness scale, therefore, dust and dirt will not scratch CZ. Indeed, CZ can scratch glass just like regular diamonds, making it more resistant to chipping. (synthetic diamond jewelry)

(synthetic diamond jewelry) One great difference between diamond and CZ is weight . CZs are heavyweights in comparison to diamonds; a CZ will weigh approximately 1.75 times more than a diamond of equivalent size. So basically, a piece of CZ the same size as a one-carat diamond weighs about 1.75 carats. Well…isn’t that interesting? (synthetic diamond jewelry)

(synthetic diamond jewelry) Contemporary production of CZ is virtually flawless, whereas diamond usually contains impurities and inclusions, or have some sort of defect, be it a feather, included crystal, or perhaps a remnant of an original crystal face (e.g. trigons).

In regards to color—more precisely, the lack of color—only the rarest of diamonds are truly colorless, as most have a tinge of yellow or brown to some extent. By comparison, CZ in most cases can be made entirely colorless, equivalent to a perfect "D" on diamond's color grading scale.

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