How can you tell the difference between a diamond and a cubic zirconia?
Cubic zirconia and diamond are similar to each other in appearance and may look similar to the distance, but they have a drastic difference in quality, value, and beauty. If you want to surprise your loved one with a stunning promise ring, picking a diamond ring instead of cubic zirconia. The diamond ring can last a lifetime. Even though you can find a similar looking cubic zirconia ring on Amazon at a far low cost, But the diamond rings have superior quality as compared to cubic zirconia. The stones have some similarities, but they have significant differences in structure and beauty. Before picking out a ring for you, you must understand the difference between cubic zirconia and diamond if you don’t want to get scammed. This is a full comprehension guide of cubic zirconia and diamond that will let you know about all extensive details about the two stones.
Some Basic Differences between Cubic zirconia and a Diamond
| Cubic zirconia | Diamond | |
| Hardness | 8.5 | 10 |
| color | Colorless | DZ |
| clarity | FL | FL-13 |
| Dispersion | Very high | high |
| Fire color | Superior | Excellent |
| Brilliance | Excellent | Excellent |
Cubic Zirconia vs. Diamond: Beauty and Brilliance
The design cut of the diamond affects the beauty of the diamond reflects white light, and the reflection that it oozes is referenced to fire and brilliance of a diamond. Cubic zirconia doesn’t have any elegance. It doesn’t have much of a reflective index. Cubic zirconia doesn’t reflect many lights to the eyes, and light passes at a low range in cubic zirconia. If you place the two stones behind the light, it can quickly tell by the difference in reflection. The diamond ring will leave more impact and reflection, while the cubic zirconia will leave diminished reflection. Cubic zirconia reflects a rainbow light, and the light dispersion in excess becomes easier to tell that it is a fake stone.
Diamond vs. Cubic Zirconia: Durability and Density
Diamond has a rating of 10 on the scale of hardness because it is the most unique natural growing stone. Diamonds are durable and can be a perfect gemstone for your engagement or wedding ring. They are incredibly resilient and can be the ideal option for you to wear formally and casually. They don’t require high maintenance and maintain their shine and sparkle on their own.
Cubic zirconia rates 8.5 when it comes to hardness and it does offer absolute longevity. It can be an excellent stone for making a jewelry item, but it wouldn’t be as durable and brilliant as a diamond. Cubic zirconia can get scratches over time and can become dully and dainty. Cubic zirconia also is denser as compared to diamonds.
Cubic Zirconia vs. Diamond: Clarity and Color
Different techniques in the labs are used to compose Cubic zirconia, so they lack the imperfections, which make them look fake. Some people may find cubic zirconia flawless, but they look way too perfect and might raise concerns about being a fake. Cubic zirconia doesn’t have a color, and it comes in the market colorless.
You can’t notice scars and blemishes on the diamond with a naked eye, so it is essential to find an eye-clean diamond. Diamond needs to be white and should look sparkling and glowing.
Diamond vs. Cubic Zirconia: Inclusions
The major difference we see between Cubic Zirconia and diamond will probably be that Cubic Zirconia is flawless virtually. As the creation consists of artificial means, so we don’t find any inclusions on it either. While a natural diamond will have inclusions involved.
Cubic Zirconia vs Diamond: Scratch
Cubic Zirconia is not very durable when we compare it with diamonds. It gets scratches quickly and will look worn out after some time. As Cubic is made up of stone, it is prone to get scratched easily. It would help if you were very careful while handling it. The good thing is that it is cheaper as compared to diamond so you can purchase it frequently.
Diamond vs. Cubic Zirconia: Color
One of the characteristics of Cubic Zirconia is that it doesn’t have any colors or tints. Although it doesn’t have any colors, it will exhibit true beauty when you see it with a naked eye.
Cubic Zirconia vs. Diamond: Weight and Size
The weight of a cubic Zirconia is more as compared to a diamond. When you compare two stones, it will be more substantial in weight and size as compared to diamond.
Diamond vs. Cubic Zirconia: Edges
When we look at the diamond and its edges, they look very sharp while the cubic Zirconia has got smooth and round edges. To check this out, you have to use a loop, and the magnification can clear all your doubts.
Cubic Zirconia vs. Diamond: Settings
As cubic Zirconia is not expensive, it is manufactured using standard mountings, but it is plated with gold and filled with jewelry. If you plan to buy a cubic with real and substantial pieces of gold, it is made of 10 karats.
Diamond vs. Cubic Zirconia: Heat insulator
No doubt that Cubic Zirconia comes as an excellent heat insulator while a diamond is not considered to be a good insulator. If you leave a breath on a stone-like Cubic Zirconia, you will notice that the fog will disappear in an instant, which will assure you that you aren’t dealing with a real diamond. If you test the same on the diamond, the fog will remain there for a long time.
Cubic Zirconia vs. Diamond: the Final Test
If someone is not sure of how to test a stone-like Cubic Zirconia, you can bring it to some expert jewelers, and they can help you out. The prominent jewelers have diamond detectors to come up with general conclusions. If you want to have it tested, it can be done at an affordable price.
Can Cubic Zirconia be rated as a diamond?
According to experts, the cubic zirconia is not a diamond as its characteristics, colors, price, and properties are very different from that of a diamond. It is created in the lab while the diamond is found naturally.
Conclusion
We have concluded that both Diamonds along with Cubic Zirconia are very different from each other in terms of beauty, characteristics, and quality. Most of the experts will not recommend you to buy a cubic Zirconia as real diamonds look more beautiful and eye-catching.
Shane Carry, the enigmatic voice behind the captivating content of TheDiamondsRing.com, He is a seasoned gemologist and writer renowned for his expertise in the field of diamonds. With a career spanning over two decades, Carry has established himself as a leading authority on gemstones, garnering acclaim for his insightful analysis and compelling narratives.
Carry’s passion for diamonds was ignited at a young age, fueling a lifelong pursuit of knowledge in gemology and jewelry design. He holds degrees in both Gemology and Jewelry Design from prestigious institutions, where he honed his skills and deepened his understanding of precious stones.