| During these tough times, we find it unavoidable | | | | Zirconia rocks also comes in various colors in |
| that we must reduce our spending on many of | | | | order to imitate other stones, including sapphires |
| the items that we had once splurged our money | | | | and emeralds. In apparent appearance, diamonds |
| on. One of the primary items that many people | | | | and zirconia stones are very similar. They are |
| cut their spending on is jewelry. But now, jewelry, | | | | both extremely hard, (zirconia stones' rating an |
| such as diamond rings and gold necklaces have | | | | 8.5 on the mohs scale, as compared to a perfect |
| cheaper alternatives, which have similar | | | | 10 by diamonds). Zirconia stones retain diamond's |
| characteristics as their much more expensive | | | | flawless, colorless sparkle and attraction. In fact, |
| counterparts. One example of this is cubic zirconia | | | | zirconia has many qualities that are superior to |
| rings. | | | | that of diamonds. Zirconia stones can easily be |
| Zirconia rocks are basically manmade imitations of | | | | made to be completely colorless. Colorless |
| diamonds. They were initially made in Russia for | | | | diamond rings are far rarer, and therefore far |
| laser technology, but today, zirconia stones are | | | | more expensive. Also, zirconia stones generally |
| widely available as an alternative to diamonds. | | | | have a higher dispersion than a diamond. In |
| They are made by fusing zirconium oxide and | | | | jewelry, dispersion refers to the ability of a rock |
| yttrium oxide. In the lab, fusing zirconium oxide | | | | to split light, creating the brilliant colors and |
| and yttrium oxide are melted at extremely high | | | | sparkles we enjoy so much. With a higher |
| temperatures nearing 5000 degrees Fahrenheit, | | | | dispersion, (zirconia stones having a.06 while |
| combining to create the end result of which is a | | | | diamonds have a.04), zirconia stones have a more |
| zirconia rock. | | | | brilliant sparkle as compared to diamonds. |
| Because they are manmade and not found from | | | | Like diamonds, cubic zirconia rings can come in |
| nature, zirconia rocks are far more abundant than | | | | various different types, which include sterling silver |
| diamonds. For this reason, cubic zirconia rings are | | | | cubic zirconia rings and white gold cubic zirconia |
| far cheaper than regular diamond rings, costing a | | | | rings. Zirconia stones can also be cut in the same |
| fraction of the price that one would pay for | | | | ways as diamonds, providing you with the perfect |
| diamond rings. For example, cubic zirconia | | | | ring for your special occasion. Overall, cubic |
| engagement rings can be bought for under 100 | | | | zirconia rings outshines diamond rings in both price |
| dollars, compared to the thousands of dollars you | | | | and general appearance, making them a great gift |
| might expect to pay for a similar diamond | | | | for your friends and loved ones. |
| engagement ring. | | | | |