Cubic Zirconia is man’s answer to natural diamonds. It is a laboratory grown cubic crystal of the compound zirconium dioxide. Cubic zirconia, or CZ, has amazing characteristics which put it at par with a real diamond in qualities, appearance and utility. It is a crystal of high hardness and fire. Since it is artificially manufactured on commercial scale around the world, it is quite inexpensive, yet has all the qualities of a diamond and is free from any kind of imperfection or flaw that a real diamond may have, hence making it even more perfect. On the scale of hardness, Cubic zirconia is rated at a respectable 8.5 as against 10 of a real diamond. But when it comes to withstanding heat, CZ jewelry can bear temperatures up to 2540 degrees Celsius without getting destroyed whereas the flame of a candle is all it takes to turn a real diamond to pure ashes in almost no time at all. Cubic zirconia also allows greater flexibility and opportunity to jewel cutters and to make perfect cut by high precision tools and lasers, as it is artificially manufactured and perfectly symmetrical. It is totally transparent, whether colored or colorless and optically flawless. Real diamonds, however, have none of these qualities. They are rarely symmetrical and it takes highly skilled craftsmen to cut them to reasonable symmetry and shape. Diamonds, unlike CZ, contain impurities in the form of coloration in shades which constitute opaque spots, thus making the diamond not so transparent. So alike are CZ and diamonds in appearance that it needs a magnifying glass or a loupe and an expert eye to tell them apart. To the naked eye and novices, there is practically no difference between a CZ and a top quality diamond. Another edge that Cubic zirconia has over real diamonds is that it can be manufactured in any imaginable color and shape to suit a particular requirement or with a particular design in mind, whereas such a liberty with diamonds is unheard of. Jewelry designers spend years just trying to collect the diamonds that fit in their design, whereas with Cubic zirconia, all u have to do is order.

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Pink diamond engagement rings obtained tremendous publicity when Ben Affleck fete his engagement to Jennifer Lopez by conferring her with one, reputedly worth over a million dollars. Colored diamonds comes naturally only rarely, and for this reason they are more expensive, and more sought after, than those of the more distinctive and typical clear color that is frequently considered to be the delineating characteristic of the diamond. And while fancy colored diamond rings, and particularly pink diamond rings, are doubtlessly harder to track down than a more traditional diamond ring, they are available from specialist jewellers, and at slightly less prohibitive prices than J-Lo’s ring.

Naturally occurring pink diamonds are relatively rare, making fancy pink diamond rings quite unusual. Many jewellers never have a pink diamond cross their path, and so the problem in purchasing a pink diamond ring can be tracking one down. Some jewellers specialize in colored diamonds, and those that do will likely be able to offer you a better price. Pink diamonds are available in different shades, which can affect the price you pay for a fancy pink diamond ring enormously. Certain hues are more popular than others, so a natural preference for a more unpopular shade will likely save you a lot of money!

Because of the popularity of fancy colored diamond rings, jewellers have developed treatments that can artificially introduce color to the diamond, allowing them to add the pink hue that has become so desirable. Although diamonds that are artificially colored are less valuable than naturally occurring pink diamonds, they are also less expensive to purchase.

Though this type of gem remains more expensive than an uncoloured stone, the difference in price is not so large that only celebrities can afford it! So if you adore and like the unusual look of pink diamond rings, you don’t have to lust in vain any longer – simply tighten that waistband and save those pennies, and soon you will have the extra cash in your ring budget to make that diamond blush!

Andy Moquin has spent 20 years in the jewelry industry with much of his experience in polished diamonds, engagement rings , wedding rings , rings and custom jewelry design. He is an accomplished business consultant and is available for advice on topics such as marketing, advertising, merchandising and business turnarounds.

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