Cubic Zirconia Jewelry - The Perfect Inexpensive Christmas Gift

Cubic zirconia has become a mainstay of the jewelry industry over the past quarter century as an inexpensive replacement for diamonds in virtually everything from rings to pendants. But why has cubic zirconia gained such popularity?

One of the main reasons cubic zirconia jewelry has become so popular is the beauty and flash of the stones. Man-made cubic zirconia is a flawless gemstone, with a clarity index equal to the best class of diamond (Class D). Clarity of the gem can be controlled in the manufacturing process, and can be produced from completely clear, or given the colors of the rainbow by adding small amounts of various metals.

Because of its crystalline structure, cubic zirconia is nearly as hard as a diamond. Because of its strength, it can be used in virtually any kind of setting. Be warned though - even though cubic zirconia is nearly as hard as a diamond, it is more brittle, and could shatter with the right blow.

Cubic zirconia is rarely found in nature, and until the middle of the 20^th century it could not be reproduced in any meaningful size or commercial-level scale. But scientists looking at the mineral noted that it had many characteristics similar to, and in some regards superior to, diamonds, so researchers persisted in seeking a solution for over a century. The method for producing cubic zirconia gemstones was finally perfected in the 1950s to create cubic zirconia in a variety of sizes, and its popularity has been increasing ever since.

A natural diamond, even a near-perfect example, has small flaws, and will usually have a yellowish or brownish tinge to it. Perfect clarity in a diamond is extremely rare, and colored diamonds even rarer. And rarity in diamonds causes an exponential increase in the cost.

What truly catches the eye about cubic zirconia is its brilliance. It reflects and refracts light flawlessly, creating an iridescence rarely seen in any diamond Depending on how the cubic zirconia gemstone is mounted, a jeweler can create a truly beautiful display of light and color.