Can you tell which ring is fake and which one is real? What are the differences? The largest difference is that the ring on the top is set with real diamonds, as opposed to the Cubic Zirconias on the bottom. And the second largest difference is their prices. The ring on the top is $2,200 for the 18K white gold setting alone, while the Cubic Zirconia below it is a whopping $44.99.
The Cubic Zirconia is a diamond imitation substitute, which is a very affordable replacement for an actual diamond ring (though I would not suggest trying to pull any tricks by interchanging a Zirconia with a diamond). Cubic Zirconias, CZ for short, are popular for costume jewelry.
What are the differences?
While diamonds and Cubic Zirconias look very similar, there are some slight differences.
- The CZ has less brilliance and sparkle than a diamond, but the CZ does have more colors and flashes of rainbow colors. Because the two are so similar, trained gemologists often use special equipment to tell them apart.
- The hardness rating of a CZ is approximately 8, while the hardness rating of a diamond is 10.
- A CZ is about 75% heavier than a diamond of the same size.
- The only CZ gems that are sent out of the lab have no flaws with perfect clarity, while most diamonds have some sort of flaw internally or externally.
- While CZ gems are created to be completely colorless, this is an extreme rarity for diamonds. The noticeable difference between a Cubic Zirconia and a diamond is that a diamond may have a tinge of yellow in it, but a CZ will always be completely colorless.
- The cut of Cubic Zirconias are often rounded over the edges, as opposed to the sharp and crisp cuts found on a diamond.
So now that you’ve been educated on the differences between Zirconias and diamonds, don’t be fooled into playing dress up when you could be wearing true brilliance.
*Diamond ring photo from James Allen and Cubic Zirconia photo from Amazon
