If you are looking for a special piece of jewelry but are unable to afford a diamond, a high quality cubic zirconia ring makes a good choice. A stone like this is regarded as a good alternative as it has an attractive appearance and can often not be distinguished from a diamond by an untrained eye. Before making a selection, it is important to understand the qualities that make up a good stone as there are inferior ones available that are likely to disappoint.
Carat, clarity, color and cut are all used for grading. These synthetic stones are much heavier than diamonds and the diameter is measured in millimeters. A caret weight may be as an equivalent for a diamond of the same size visually. These stones are created in a laboratory and any crystals that are not perfect are not used. They are virtually flawless whereas most diamonds have internal inclusions or external blemishes.
These stones, unlike diamonds, are synthetic. They are grown in the controlled environment of a laboratory. Any crystals that fall short of perfect clarity are not used. They can be made absolutely colorless whereas truly colorless diamonds are very rare.
A well cut stone refracts more white light and has even facets. A lower quality stone will reflect more colored light. Diamonds reflect only white light and if you want your stone to look as much like a diamond as possible, you must select one that refracts the most white light.
These stones can be sourced at any retail department store where they are fairly inexpensive. If you are looking for a higher grade, these are found in jewelry stores. With many wholesalers selling their products online today, this is one of the ways of getting the best value for your money, particularly if you are on a tight budget.
Buying online from internet sites is one of the easiest ways to purchase items of this nature. This way of shopping also enables one to easily compare cuts, settings and prices when weighing up options. Such stones are often set in valuable metals like gold, sterling silver and platinum and this also influences the price.
Jewelry is very personal and is chosen to accentuate the style and taste of the individual. If you are buying online, reading the terms and conditions on the website is important. This is particularly important if you are selecting a piece for someone else as you need to know whether an item can be exchanged or returned.
A high quality cubic zirconia ring is a great alternative for those who cannot afford a diamond. They may not have the same investment value but a well-cut, high-quality stone will refract much white light, having a very pleasing appearance. The ones being made today resemble diamonds so closely that even jewelers need to use a loupe to tell the difference.
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