Cubic Zirconia Vs Lab Created Diamond

Diamond grown in a lab.

Cubic zirconia vs lab created diamond.

Lab grown diamonds vs cubic zirconia. Before the advent of superior and more durable man made diamond coatings and cultured diamonds cubic zirconia was the most common consumer choice for a more affordable diamond alternative. They offer the clarity shine and fire of mined diamonds without the financial or ethical costs. Diamonds are naturally found formed of the hardest material and possess extraordinary beauty.

Lab created diamonds have an ri refraction index of 2 42 giving them a depth of brilliance that has become a signature of real diamonds. Updated in january 2016. Chemically physically and optically lab grown diamonds are the exact same as mined diamonds the difference between the two lies within the origin one comes from the ground and one is man made in a lab as you can see in the chart below lab created diamonds are formed with the same chemical composition as mined diamonds. Since cubic zirconia is softer than man made diamonds when cut and polished these two materials differ in how sharp the edges of their facets are.

Cz has an ri of 2 15 2 18 which means lab created diamonds have a depth of brilliance uncommon to cubic zirconia bringing the lab diamond closer in nature to the real diamond in terms of light refraction. Cubic zirconia cz has been the most popular diamond alternative for years. For this reason cubic zirconia is much easier to scratch and is generally less durable than lab created diamonds. Lab grown diamonds and cubic zirconia are completely different in terms of physical and chemical properties.

It s easy to differentiate between lab created diamond versus cubic zirconia with a diamond tester because their conductive properties vary greatly. Diamond simulants like cubic zirconia and coated cz sold by companies like diamond nexus labs are extremely inexpensive to produce. These products are typically 2 50 per carat at wholesale from distributors like stuller and yet they can retail online for over 100 per carat. The diamond authority prides itself in educating the public about all the options out there for their jewelry needs and this includes discussing the diamond.

Check out this extensive selection of cubic zirconia jewelry. For this reason cubic zirconia is less durable. Lab created diamond vs cubic zirconia conductive properties. Lab created diamond alternatives are a new development in jewelry.

Lab grown diamonds are much more durable than cubic zirconia while synthetic diamonds are rated 10 on the mohs scale of hardness same as natural diamonds cubic zirconia is rated 8 5. A diamond tester will let you know with certainty if a gemstone is a real diamond whether it was lab created or mined. The last two categories of simulated diamonds cubic zirconia and lab created diamond alternatives are of particular importance to examine. Cubic zirconia is lab created.