Zircon is made of zirconium silicate, whereas cubic zirconia is made of zirconium oxide. Both of the gemstones are hard to differentiate from each other and are confused as being the same. … Zircon is a natural gemstone. Natural zircon is rare and more expensive than cubic zirconia.
How can you tell if a zircon is real?
The most obvious way to distinguish a zircon presented as a substitute diamond from an actual diamond is by the former’s birefringence. Zircon’s high birefringence makes this 4.57-ct round brilliant-cut stone appear fuzzy.
Are zircons expensive?
The golden color known as honey zircon tends to be less expensive, as does the red zircon from Africa. Red zircon typically ranges in price from $75 to $125 per carat, while the honey zircon sells for $50 to $100 per carat. Exceptional colors or very large sizes will be more.
Why is cubic zirconia so cheap?
Because cubic zirconia is made in a lab, it lacks the natural imperfections that diamonds have. A flawless diamond is incredibly rare and, thus, incredibly expensive. While some may regard cubic zirconia as flawless, they’re usually considered “too perfect” or fake-looking.
Is zircon a cubic?
Cubic Zirconia (CZ) is one of the best-known, man-made diamond simulants. It is also a synthetic gemstone, possessing the same physical, optical and chemical properties as naturally occurring cubic zirconia, which was discovered in the 1930s as inclusions in a natural zircon crystal.
Is zircon rarer than diamond?
In fact, it is much rarer than diamonds but is considerably less valuable. Zircon comes closer to resembling diamonds than any other natural gem. Its superior luster and intense fire give it a real sparkle that is comparable to a diamond.
Why is CZ so expensive?
CZ are rated purely on the quality of the cut, being that all stones are made for perfect color and clarity and profit is made mostly on quantity of stones sold. Quality cuts take much more time to complete so you’ll see prices skyrocket (relatively speaking) as quality goes up.
Does White Zircon sparkle like a diamond?
If you love diamonds, but not the associated cost, white zircons are an excellent alternative. These stones possess a similar dispersion to diamond, and the double refraction gives you even more sparkle.
Is a zircon ring worth it?
Although some varieties of zircon is much rarer than diamonds, the price of these stones are generally much less expensive. This means that you can get an amazing stone for a good price, making zircon a great option for jewelry.
Does zircon look like diamond?
Zircon is a natural gemstone popular for an astounding optical splendor that resembles a diamond. This trait of zircon makes it popular among jewelry and gem enthusiasts. The unique characteristic of displaying fire and luster makes this gemstone optically similar to diamond.
Can you wear cubic zirconia everyday?
Remember that cubic zirconia will not last a lifetime with every day wear – for wedding rings, cubic zirconia usually begins to cloud up and scratch in about 2 years.
How much is a 1 carat cubic zirconia worth?
Cubic Zirconia: Diamonds Price. Cubic zirconia simulants are much, much cheaper than mined diamond. For example, a flawless 1 carat round colorless diamond graded D costs around $12,000 whereas a 1 carat cubic zirconia is only worth $20.
Should I buy cubic zirconia or diamond?
Although cubic zirconia is still durable, it does not compare to the hardness of a diamond; its rating on the Mohs Scale of Hardness is 8.5. … If you want a stone that shines, a diamond is the best bet. Cubic zirconia has a much lower refractive index than a diamond, so it captures light differently and shines less.
Is zircon a real stone?
Zircon is a beautiful, natural gemstone with a high refractive index and strong dispersion, a gemological way of saying well-cut zircon is actively brilliant and full of fire! What’s more, it is available in a broad color range – yellow, brown, orange, red, violet, green, blue, and colorless.
What is the difference between zircon and diamond?
A diamond is the hardest stone known to man while a cubic zirconia has a much lower rating of hardness. Diamonds are made of carbon which lends to their brilliance and hardness. … A diamond and a cubic zirconia can be the same in actual size, but cubic zirconias are slightly denser and will weigh more.
What Colour is zircon?
The natural color of zircon varies between colorless, yellow-golden, red, brown, blue and green. The name derives from the Persian zargun, meaning “gold-hued”.