For over two decades now, making a fashion statement on a budget has been easy to do. Not everyone can afford the high price of authentic jewelry and gems. It used to be that even a modest pair of diamond earrings set in sterling silver would cost hundreds. Thanks to the discovery of crystals that resemble diamonds discovered back in the 1930’s, women everywhere have adorned glimmering Cubic Zirconia stud earrings.
Cubic Zirconia studs have become a popular replacement for diamond stud earrings by women and some men. They are the closest thing to diamonds in terms of appearance. In fact, if the CZ is cut similar to a diamond, it can be difficult to distinguish between the two. Only the trained eye can spot the missing attributes that would normally be seen in a real diamond.
One difference between the diamond and a Cubic Zirconia is the weight. The CZ weighs about 1.7 times as much as a diamond so your Cubic Zirconia stud earrings may fell heavier. There is also a small difference in the hardness of each gem. Diamonds are harder and this means slower wear and tear. You may notice Cubic Zirconia earrings almost seem to sparkle more than a diamond; this is due to a higher refractive index.
Cubic Zirconia stud earrings can be purchased in many of the same settings as diamonds. The great thing about them is you aren’t so worried about losing an earring as the value of the loss is not as high. You can feel quite comfortable wearing them as part of your everyday collection.
When you are shopping for Cubic Zirconia stud earrings examine them closely for any surface flaws. The stone is durable and nearly flawless so if you see a chip or scratch on them, chances are they are not a quality CZ. They should really glimmer in the light, almost more than an actual diamond themselves. Check that the claws holding the stone in place are set tight to the stone and not bending outward at all, you can lose the stone that way.
These days Cubic Zirconia stud earrings are available in the same settings as diamonds. Choose from silver, 14 and 18K gold and on occasion even platinum. When buying online find out if the store has a customer satisfaction guarantee and try to choose a reputable site. Some online stores send you different earrings than the ones you see in the picture or try to pass of lower quality gold when you are expecting 14 or 18K.
Cubic Zirconia stud earrings are available in most department stores that sell jewelry like Target and JC Penny, starting at $19.99. Cost will depend on size and type of the setting. Cubic Zirconia’s set in gold and silver are the most common. Chances are you will be so pleased with the price that you may want to buy more than one pair of earrings. Thanks to innovative jewellers, the diamond look is no longer only a privilege for the wealthy.