Perhaps you’ve always adored gemstones or you want to purchase your first special jewelry item. You’re undecided between a Cubic Zirconia & Diamond and unsure whether you should pick a manmade or a natural piece. What Is The Different Between A Cubic Zirconia And A Diamond? Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. We’ll tell you all the ins and outs of cubic Zirconia and diamonds, their value and all the information you need to make your decision. What’s the Difference Between a Cubic Zirconia and a Diamond?Some common questions we’re asked: How do I know it’s a cubic Zirconia? How do I know it’s a diamond? What’s the difference between a cubic Zirconia and a diamond? What’s their value? How can I find a buyer for my cubic zirconia and diamonds? 1. How Do I Know It’s a Cubic Zirconia? Also known as CZ, cubic Zirconia is a common alternative to a diamond. It has a very similar appearance but because naturally sourced cubic zirconia is so pricey, the manmade material is used in jewelry making. Made from the chemical zirconium oxide and with its cubic crystal proportions, cubic zirconia is aptly named. Originating back in 1929, it was first made and used for laser technology. Five decades later cubic Zirconia was used in the making of jewels. Coming in a variety of shades and cut to any form of diamond, cubic Zirconia is a dynamic gem. 2. How Do I Know it’s a Diamond? Marilyn Monroe knew it and diamonds really can lead the way to a woman’s heart. What exactly are they made of? Carbon vulnerable to intense pressure results in the creation of a diamond. This can happen both through nature and by hand using several techniques.   Diamonds are naturally formed by carbon being vulnerable to intense heat and pressure far under the earth’s surface. Different shades of diamonds are obtained by extra minerals becoming part of the constructive process. For example, boron results in a blue sparkle and nitrogen in yellow. Atoms of carbon are tightly joined together, making an incredibly tough diamond. Volcanic eruptions occurring far under the earth’s surface force the diamond up through fissures known as Kimberlite pipes. [greeting] Diamonds constructed in the controlled environment of a laboratory also contain carbon atoms formed with intense heat and pressure. It’s possible to artificially enrich the transparency and shade of natural diamonds. Jewelers should always notify a potential buyer whether a diamond’s been treated in such a way, as its worth is affected. Artificial processes are normally conducted either to enhance a diamond’s transparency (by fracture filling or laser drilling) or its shade (via galvanizing, radiation, HPHT or coatings). 3.  What’s the Difference Between a Cubic Zirconia and a Diamond? Let’s take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of a cubic zirconia and diamond: Cubic Zirconia Strengths Come in any shade or form Faultless transparency Less expensive than diamonds, cubic zirconia are about 1/10th the price of a natural diamond Very similar in appearance to diamonds Cubic Zirconia Weaknesses Common, with little worth Easily scratched so will gradually become opaque. Greater wear and tear leads to more frequent replacing (typically every second year). More prone to damage due to being weaker than diamonds (measuring an 8-8.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness) Diamond Strengths Forever jewels that shouldn’t require replacing Hard-wearing and the toughest material worldwide, measuring a 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness Rare, of a great worth that’s maintained better than a CZ Shade and transparency can be enhanced artificially Shine brightly when correctly cut Diamond Weaknesses Far pricier than a CZ You need to know the 4C’s of diamond classifying to make an informed decision when picking your perfect piece Always consider sustainability. Some regard cubic zirconia as more environmentally-Friendly than diamonds, but this remains up for discussion. Mining damages the environment but the manufacturing of laboratory stones also uses large quantities of energy. With all the pros and cons of CZ and diamonds, you can now decide which one to buy. 4. What’s their Value? This is the big question. By browsing on the web you’ll notice a marked difference in price between CZ and diamonds. You’ll pay a handful of dollars for a one carat cubic zirconia and a one carat natural stone will cost a few thousand dollars. If an extravagant, shaded diamond tickles your fancy, be prepared to fork out from $300,000 to $2 million. Important note: a diamond’s quality will affect its price, and artificially treated stones will cost nearly half of completely natural ones. If you want to sell your CZ you’ll struggle to find many buyers apart from pawn stores or private individuals. On the other hand, there’ll always be a surplus of diamond purchasers. Be mindful that you probably won’t recover your original cost of your stone, but you can expect to get at least a quarter to half of its acquisition price. We can determine the value of your diamonds when you book a free consultation with us in our Singapore office at Chinatown. By bringing your diamonds to us we’ll give you a personalized price quotation as calculated by our expert gemologists. We pride ourselves in being one of the top diamond purchasers and daily work with countless clients. We’re specialists with enough purchasing influence to give you accurate, true market-related offers. We take our job seriously and have been abundantly rewarded with positive feedback as well as high ratings. We don't buy handmade diamonds, but we are buying polished diamonds. Fill your details in the box below, and one of our top gemologists will contact you back to schedule a free consultation. [greeting]