Cubic Zirconia

[thedayisbrave]

Not that I'm getting married anytime soon... but this topic came up in discussion when I went out with some girlfriends for dinner the other night.  The letters "CZ" were whispered snidely as if it were some disease or malaise... when I asked them to clarify it was pointed out that CZ stood for cubic zirconia.  Everyone at the table wanted a NICE ring, not something "fake".

Please tell me I'm not the only female who thinks, what's the big deal? I see plenty of attractive looking CZ rings for sale online for <$50... I mean, the bigger prize for me would be a commitment from a man who wants to create a future with me.  Not some THING I wear on my finger that society says is supposed to symbolize how much he loves me.

If I'm totally off base feel free to say so.....

[laughaise]

I would totally support Cubic Zirconia! My sister shopped around for her fake diamond, and she paid around $300 for it. Apparently it would take an expert to tell it's fake, and all of her friends think it's real. I only found out it was fake because i asked why she was crazy enough to walk around with several thousand dollars on her finger, and she laughed and said she would never be that stupid. My ring is coconut shell ($2.50), so maybe I'm a weirdo too.

[dragoncar]

Well if he doesn't get you a real diamond, he doesn't really love you and your marriage will fail.  So there's that....

[Cassie]

Diamondique sets their stones in real gold & they are so nice no one can tell the difference.

[Goldie]

I had a coworker who had a CZ ring. It was just beautiful and looked completely real. The only way we found out was she confided in the world's biggest loudmouth and they had typical drama and the loudmouth spilled the beans.  It made sense because the coworker with the CZ ring had no money and her betrothed had financial issues too, and they had four kids between the two of them already. At least they had sense enough to not go further into debt for something so petty (and I say this as a woman with a real diamond that's very good quality and size and sits on my kitchen windowsill, rarely worn). Diamonds are really not worth it, IMO.  Wish we'd saved that money for something more useful.

Lesson: if you do go fake and have catty coworkers, tell NO ONE it's CZ!!

[Gone Fishing]

My wife has a nice ring, but when we found out how much it was going to cost to insure it, we decided CZ would replace it if anything ever happened to it.

[Primm]

My desperately-needs-a-clean, 10 year old CZ set that hubby paid $450 for. I know because I was there. He wanted to buy me the same thing that cost 10x, I suggested this instead. I love it, and happily tell people (if they ask) what it's made of.

[MikeBear]

I took a possible "diamond" earring I found to a jeweler that had been in business at that time for over 20 years. It took him a LOT of checking and doing tests before he ascertained that it WAS CZ and not an actual diamond. There's very little difference, except that CZ's are typically nearly perfect (unlike a natural diamond), and only 1 step below a diamond in hardness.

Now put a CZ in a perfect setting that isn't cheap or from a bubblegum machine, and I defy a regular person to tell the difference.

[arebelspy]

Do what makes you happy, and don't care what others think.  :)

I think CZ is great, personally.

[gildedbutterfly]

Ok, I'll be the lone dissenter here.

I don't think that a diamond is necessary for an engagement ring. However, I tend to not be a fan of CZ because it is used as a "fake" diamond.

My opinion on jewelry has always been to buy "real." If I can't afford a diamond, or if it's a piece that I'm not anticipating being a staple of my wardrobe for decades to come, I don't buy CZ that I can pass off as a diamond. Instead, I'll look for something with another stone that's more affordable (I happen to love sapphires and garnets, and my non-vegan friends love pearls) or that's just an interesting piece without a stone. There's so much out there that's interesting and beautiful without buying something that's being passed off as diamonds - take the poster above who said her ring is a coconut shell. I'd rather that than CZ.

Just my 2 cents.

[Goldie]

I too love the trend of non-diamond engagement rings. Just like brides choosing gowns with color. It's a neat way to buck tradition.

[Roots&Wings]

Do what you like.  I personally am a reuse/recycle fan, and the world of antique/vintage jewelry is another option.  My brother gave his now-wife an engagement ring that had been our great-grandmother's.

[GuitarStv]

Ok, I'll be the lone dissenter here.

I don't think that a diamond is necessary for an engagement ring. However, I tend to not be a fan of CZ because it is used as a "fake" diamond.

My opinion on jewelry has always been to buy "real." If I can't afford a diamond, or if it's a piece that I'm not anticipating being a staple of my wardrobe for decades to come, I don't buy CZ that I can pass off as a diamond. Instead, I'll look for something with another stone that's more affordable (I happen to love sapphires and garnets, and my non-vegan friends love pearls) or that's just an interesting piece without a stone. There's so much out there that's interesting and beautiful without buying something that's being passed off as diamonds - take the poster above who said her ring is a coconut shell. I'd rather that than CZ.

Just my 2 cents.

Diamonds became popular because they're sparkly, rare, and hard.  Cubic Zirconia is sparkly and hard.  If you're not planning on selling it, why would you care about rarity?

[Hannah]

Do what you like.  I personally am a reuse/recycle fan, and the world of antique/vintage jewelry is another option.  My brother gave his now-wife an engagement ring that had been our great-grandmother's.

I think there might be two sides to this. My husband was really influenced by friends who spent 6 months of wages (albeit collegiate salary, so maybe $3000 dollars) on their wive's engagement ring, so he started socking away money right after college (no girlfriend at the time, but whatever). He wanted to buy a huge ring, because that's what his friends had done.

I watched Blood Diamond shortly before me and my now-husband started talking about getting engaged, so I was saying, "No, no, no diamonds." I'm actually not sure how bad the slavery situation is, but the movie had an effect on me. I'm not a big fan of other colored stones (for myself), so I requested a small fake diamond.  My husband was actually a little crushed by my request since he had worked hard to set aside a few grand for an engagement ring. We finally settled on the use of an heirloom diamond in a new setting, and we used the rest of the money on our honeymoon and wedding.

I have his great grandmother's diamond in a setting that he designed himself (although he paid someone else to construct it).

At the end of the day, I would say, do what you like as well, but try to purchase only the jewelry and not the marketing or your friends ideas.

On a related note: how many men still have their original wedding band? I think my husband is one of the few men I know who hasn't had to get his wedding band cut off due to smashed fingers, or who hasn't lost it while training for a tri (or another weight-loss inducing activity). I think if I had to do this all over again, I would have bought my husband a ring pop rather than an etched ring made of palladium.

[Gray Matter]

I have mixed feelings about this.  In a way, it feels like buying into the "oooh, shiny sparkly thing, must have a big one!" which reinforces some societal expectations that I'm not keen on.  If you don't buy into the whole diamond thing, why wear a ring that is frequently mistaken for a diamond?  On the other hand, if you genuinely like shiny, sparkly things, why not?  On the other hand (what? I have three hands, don't you?), it's hard to separate out what we genuinely like from what we have been conditioned or socialized to like, and we are quick to protest that our likes are uniquely ours and not influenced at all by the society in which we live, which it largely, but not entirely, a crock.

I guess what it boils down to for me is, do what you like.

[rocksinmyhead]

I have mixed feelings about this.  In a way, it feels like buying into the "oooh, shiny sparkly thing, must have a big one!" which reinforces some societal expectations that I'm not keen on.  If you don't buy into the whole diamond thing, why wear a ring that is frequently mistaken for a diamond?  On the other hand, if you genuinely like shiny, sparkly things, why not?  On the other hand (what? I have three hands, don't you?), it's hard to separate out what we genuinely like from what we have been conditioned or socialized to like, and we are quick to protest that our likes are uniquely ours and not influenced at all by the society in which we live, which it largely, but not entirely, a crock.

I guess what it boils down to for me is, do what you like.

+1.

personally I would rather have an inexpensive alternative/unique (colored) stone, but I don't have a problem with CZ, I just want something a little weirder. personal preference!

[Jack]

As far as clear non-diamond clear gemstones go, I think "Moissanite" (silicon carbide, SiC) is superior to cubic zirconia (zirconium dioxide, ZrO2). SiC is harder (9.5 vs 8.5 for ZrO2 vs. 10 for diamond) and has a higher refractive index (2.65 vs. 2.18 for ZrO2 vs. 2.42 for diamond), making it more "sparkly." According to Wikipedia, the process for creating it is patented until 2015, so maybe it'll become even cheaper then.

IMO, the main downside is the stupid name.

On a related note: how many men still have their original wedding band? I think my husband is one of the few men I know who hasn't had to get his wedding band cut off due to smashed fingers, or who hasn't lost it while training for a tri (or another weight-loss inducing activity). I think if I had to do this all over again, I would have bought my husband a ring pop rather than an etched ring made of palladium.

I still have my original wedding band, probably because I'm careful when hammering and haven't lost weight.

However, I'm covered anyway: my tungsten carbide ring (which my wife and I both got free (+ shipping) for being among the first X people in line at a bridal show) comes with free (+ shipping) replacement if anything ever happens to it or if it becomes the wrong size (because it's brittle and thus can't be resized). Of course, this is because the things are so cheap to make that the "shipping" fee covers the entire manufacturing cost too, but still...

[arebelspy]

On a related note: how many men still have their original wedding band? I think my husband is one of the few men I know who hasn't had to get his wedding band cut off due to smashed fingers, or who hasn't lost it while training for a tri (or another weight-loss inducing activity). I think if I had to do this all over again, I would have bought my husband a ring pop rather than an etched ring made of palladium.

What? Oh god.  How do you know so many people smashing fingers so bad they need the ring cut off?

I still have mine, but we haven't been married that long (7.5 years).

[lifejoy]

Cz is pretty hard (8-8.5 on the MOHS scale), but white sapphire is harder (9). Moissanite, as was mentioned, is even harder (9) and diamonds are hardest (10). If I wanted a ring that looked like a diamond, I'd be going white sapphire in an ideal cut, or moissanite. They are both around 1/10 the cost of a new diamond. I've seen some cz look scratched and cloudy over time. Definitely get your rings cleaned to keep them looking their best! Most places will do it for free.

[gildedbutterfly]

Ok, I'll be the lone dissenter here.

I don't think that a diamond is necessary for an engagement ring. However, I tend to not be a fan of CZ because it is used as a "fake" diamond.

My opinion on jewelry has always been to buy "real." If I can't afford a diamond, or if it's a piece that I'm not anticipating being a staple of my wardrobe for decades to come, I don't buy CZ that I can pass off as a diamond. Instead, I'll look for something with another stone that's more affordable (I happen to love sapphires and garnets, and my non-vegan friends love pearls) or that's just an interesting piece without a stone. There's so much out there that's interesting and beautiful without buying something that's being passed off as diamonds - take the poster above who said her ring is a coconut shell. I'd rather that than CZ.

Just my 2 cents.

Diamonds became popular because they're sparkly, rare, and hard.  Cubic Zirconia is sparkly and hard.  If you're not planning on selling it, why would you care about rarity?

If you read my comment, it's not that I want something sparkly and hard, it's the opposite: I'm saying that I don't like CZ because it's about presenting it as a diamond/wearing something that you know is regularly mistaken for a diamond. My suggestion wasn't "Forget CZ, get the diamond." My suggestion was "Get another stone that's not a faux diamond, but that is cheaper, or get a cool ring that doesn't have a stone." Sapphires and garnet and pearls were suggested, though there are a ton of other options out there. All of those are cheaper than diamonds, make lovely rings, and don't look like diamonds.

[Hannah]

What? Oh god.  How do you know so many people smashing fingers so bad they need the ring cut off?

I think it's because I run in a group that marries young and assumes we are more athletic than we actually are.

Also, Smash might not be the right word. I know 5 men who had to have their rings cut off. 2 were playing flag football and 2 were playing ultimate frisbee and they all had stories related to fingers getting caught in something (clothes, belts, etc.) and breaking badly at the knuckle. I think the ring was cutting off their circulation and it was either the ring or the finger. The other guy actually smashed his finger (like the bones were in little bits) in a car wreck and he had to get the ring removed prior to reconstructive surgery.

The weight loss/athletic training thing is way more common, but I know a lot of distance athletes.

[thedayisbrave]

To be honest, this is the first time I've ever had a deep thought about rings.  I guess it just makes me sad when I hear an acquaintance say, "He BETTER get me __________."  Puts the focus on the wrong thing, IMO.  I don't know what I'm going to do but I'm pretty positive a real diamond is the last thing on the list.  I'd much rather have him put that money towards the honeymoon, downpayment on a house, etc. 

I just did a search and found this on "The Art of Manliness": What?! Awesome.  I love the knot one!
http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/06/11/5-alternatives-to-the-diamond-engagement-ring/

[Bateaux]

Just a suggestion.   Get a gold ban and not Titanium.   Titanium is harder to cut off a smashed finger and gold when cut can be repaired.

[knutsoza]

Ok, I'll be the lone dissenter here.

I don't think that a diamond is necessary for an engagement ring. However, I tend to not be a fan of CZ because it is used as a "fake" diamond.

My opinion on jewelry has always been to buy "real." If I can't afford a diamond, or if it's a piece that I'm not anticipating being a staple of my wardrobe for decades to come, I don't buy CZ that I can pass off as a diamond. Instead, I'll look for something with another stone that's more affordable (I happen to love sapphires and garnets, and my non-vegan friends love pearls) or that's just an interesting piece without a stone. There's so much out there that's interesting and beautiful without buying something that's being passed off as diamonds - take the poster above who said her ring is a coconut shell. I'd rather that than CZ.

Just my 2 cents.

Diamonds became popular because they're sparkly, rare, and hard.  Cubic Zirconia is sparkly and hard.  If you're not planning on selling it, why would you care about rarity?

Diamonds became popular because De Beers (Ernest Oppenheimer) was a marketing genius, and they're expensive because they're subject to a supply monopoly. Full stop. http://www.businessinsider.com/history-of-de-beers-2011-12?op=1

[RelaxedGal]

My only complaint about CZ is that the settings are usually awful.  Primm's is lovely!  Anything I buy myself just for some sparkle... not so much.

On a related note: how many men still have their original wedding band? I think my husband is one of the few men I know who hasn't had to get his wedding band cut off due to smashed fingers, or who hasn't lost it while training for a tri (or another weight-loss inducing activity).

Husband still has his - 7 years next month.
Dad still has his - Factory job, not allowed to wear it to work so it sits in Mom's jewelry box and still looks new.
Grandpa on Mom's side presumably has a new one, had to have it cut off, I forget what sort of accident.
Grandpa on dad's side I don't remember, but I know his wife had a new one because the original was the brass band used to close a flour sack. 

Uber Mustachian!

[rocksinmyhead]

To be honest, this is the first time I've ever had a deep thought about rings.  I guess it just makes me sad when I hear an acquaintance say, "He BETTER get me __________."  Puts the focus on the wrong thing, IMO.  I don't know what I'm going to do but I'm pretty positive a real diamond is the last thing on the list.  I'd much rather have him put that money towards the honeymoon, downpayment on a house, etc. 

oh I agree. I think it's super depressing and weird when I hear women say stuff like that. like, is that really what your relationship is about?!? eww.

[sol]

I have never understood the desire to make things out of the most expensive material possible.

Why wear a gold wedding ring when a steel one is better in every respect?  If it's JUST because it costs more, then this is the classic definition of conspicuous consumption and you deserve a punch in the face.

Using "real" diamonds is the same thing.  There are other gems that are more sparkly or more rare.  The only thing diamonds have going for them is their ridiculous price, if you're the type to like flaunting your stupid spending habits.

[Elderwood17]

I have a good friend who is a jeweler.  He hates CZ because they are so hard to differentiate from the real thing.  Didn't sound like a problem in my eyes!

[ender]

As far as clear non-diamond clear gemstones go, I think "Moissanite" (silicon carbide, SiC) is superior to cubic zirconia (zirconium dioxide, ZrO2). SiC is harder (9.5 vs 8.5 for ZrO2 vs. 10 for diamond) and has a higher refractive index (2.65 vs. 2.18 for ZrO2 vs. 2.42 for diamond), making it more "sparkly." According to Wikipedia, the process for creating it is patented until 2015, so maybe it'll become even cheaper then.

IMO, the main downside is the stupid name.

Yup, came here to say this. At least diamond has better properties than CZ.

But moissanite is actually better than diamond in most regards (refraction and toughness). And significantly better in cost.

[dragoncar]

As far as clear non-diamond clear gemstones go, I think "Moissanite" (silicon carbide, SiC) is superior to cubic zirconia (zirconium dioxide, ZrO2). SiC is harder (9.5 vs 8.5 for ZrO2 vs. 10 for diamond) and has a higher refractive index (2.65 vs. 2.18 for ZrO2 vs. 2.42 for diamond), making it more "sparkly." According to Wikipedia, the process for creating it is patented until 2015, so maybe it'll become even cheaper then.

IMO, the main downside is the stupid name.

Yup, came here to say this. At least diamond has better properties than CZ.

But moissanite is actually better than diamond in most regards (refraction and toughness). And significantly better in cost.

Moissanite is "better," than CZ but it's also more expensive and doesn't look as close to diamond.  Isn't CZ->Moissanite like a 10x price difference, and then Moissanite->Diamond another 10x?  I'd say you get the best bling value with CZ, and at that price point you can replace it when it gets scratched.

[Cassie]

The Moissiante was really expensive the last time I l looked which was 5 years ago.  Back then it was almost the same as a diamond.  I enjoy having real diamonds but I also have some of QVC Diamonique because it looks so real.  It allows me to have one carat diamond earrings which I would never spend the $ on for the real thing.  People always think they are real-they are much higher quality then the usual CZ.  Also they set some in white or yellow gold which makes it look expensive.

[GuitarStv]

I have never understood the desire to make things out of the most expensive material possible.

Why wear a gold wedding ring when a steel one is better in every respect?  If it's JUST because it costs more, then this is the classic definition of conspicuous consumption and you deserve a punch in the face.

Using "real" diamonds is the same thing.  There are other gems that are more sparkly or more rare.  The only thing diamonds have going for them is their ridiculous price, if you're the type to like flaunting your stupid spending habits.

Lol . . . My wedding ring is a stainless steel band.  I bought the gold and diamond engagement/wedding rings for my wife largely due to societal pressures and because I was afraid to propose with an inexpensive bit of metal.  Those advertisers do a real good job of messing with your feelings of value and worth . . .

[cowboysgirlfriend]

My engagement ring was an heirloom from my grandmother, and the main stone is blue zircon, and it has tiny diamonds around it. The whole ring has seen quite the life, the setting is bent and worn out, the stones are little loose and don't sit straight any longer, and the blue zircon is scratched and worn so the cut is barely visible any longer.

I love this ring. I love that it has such a rich history in my family, I love that it has seen hard work and war time and thrift, and I love that it's lost a bit of its sparkle. With our low income I felt so guilty about my fiance feeling he had to spend money on a ring, and I certainly would have been happy with something cheaper than diamonds. As it is, he is off the hook and will just buy me a simple and small wedding band - because the engagement ring is so large, I can only wear a very thin band with it.

He has been offered his father's wedding band to wear, although he may not wear one given his work, so we will both have inherited rings.

Even if I hadn't been given grandma's ring, I really love rings with different colours and different stones. My mother had a gorgeous little ring that my dad gave her for her 21st birthday, which was tiny garnets and pearls. It was utterly beautiful.

Personally, I find the big diamond rings rather garish, and I don't see much point in them - especially if they then sit in a drawer because they are too expensive to wear! Why spend all that money if you then don't wear the ring, or you have to buy a cheaper dummy ring to wear?? I don't think there's anything wrong with not having a diamond, or having a "fake" diamond, or wearing "cheaper" stones. The ring should be a symbol of the relationship, not a monetary expression of how much he loves you.

[lifejoy]

My engagement ring was an heirloom from my grandmother, and the main stone is blue zircon, and it has tiny diamonds around it. The whole ring has seen quite the life, the setting is bent and worn out, the stones are little loose and don't sit straight any longer, and the blue zircon is scratched and worn so the cut is barely visible any longer.

I love this ring. I love that it has such a rich history in my family, I love that it has seen hard work and war time and thrift, and I love that it's lost a bit of its sparkle. With our low income I felt so guilty about my fiance feeling he had to spend money on a ring, and I certainly would have been happy with something cheaper than diamonds. As it is, he is off the hook and will just buy me a simple and small wedding band - because the engagement ring is so large, I can only wear a very thin band with it.

He has been offered his father's wedding band to wear, although he may not wear one given his work, so we will both have inherited rings.

Even if I hadn't been given grandma's ring, I really love rings with different colours and different stones. My mother had a gorgeous little ring that my dad gave her for her 21st birthday, which was tiny garnets and pearls. It was utterly beautiful.

Personally, I find the big diamond rings rather garish, and I don't see much point in them - especially if they then sit in a drawer because they are too expensive to wear! Why spend all that money if you then don't wear the ring, or you have to buy a cheaper dummy ring to wear?? I don't think there's anything wrong with not having a diamond, or having a "fake" diamond, or wearing "cheaper" stones. The ring should be a symbol of the relationship, not a monetary expression of how much he loves you.

If you've got loose stones, I recommend you take the ring in to a goldsmith and get them tightened! It is usually much cheaper to replace a claw or tighten a stone than to replace a ring!

[southern granny]

On a related note: how many men still have their original wedding band? I think my husband is one of the few men I know who hasn't had to get his wedding band cut off due to smashed fingers, or who hasn't lost it while training for a tri (or another weight-loss inducing activity). I think if I had to do this all over again, I would have bought my husband a ring pop rather than an etched ring made of palladium.

What? Oh god.  How do you know so many people smashing fingers so bad they need the ring cut off?

I still have mine, but we haven't been married that long (7.5 years).

My husband had his ring cut off by the doctor.  We didnt repair it, we bought another one.  As for the CZ question, I would want a genuine stone for my wedding ring.  I would rather have a $50 genuine stone than a $100 CZ.  Just me, but that's how I feel.  I have a diamond engagement ring, but can't get in on because I gained weight and won't have it resized because that would be be admitting that I can't lose the weight.  Silly, I know.

[sol]

I would rather have a $50 genuine stone than a $100 CZ. 

How is cubic zirconia not a genuine stone?  Do you think it's a hologram?  Maybe paper mache?

[dragoncar]

I would rather have a $50 genuine stone than a $100 CZ. 

How is cubic zirconia not a genuine stone?  Do you think it's a hologram?  Maybe paper mache?

I'd pay extra for the hologram option

[Kriegsspiel]

"CZ, you are my only hope... CZ, you are my only hope... CZ, you are my only hope..."

[arebelspy]

I would rather have a $50 genuine stone than a $100 CZ. 

How is cubic zirconia not a genuine stone?  Do you think it's a hologram?  Maybe paper mache?

Protip: Don't answer this.  Getting into an argument about what is a genuine stone with a geologist is not a winning proposition.

[Kriegsspiel]

+1 for foolin' them with the rocks that you got.

[southern granny]

I would rather have a $50 genuine stone than a $100 CZ. 

How is cubic zirconia not a genuine stone?  Do you think it's a hologram?  Maybe paper mache?

Really??  I think its a fake diamond.

[sol]

Really??  I think its a fake diamond.

It's a fake diamond in the same way that an emerald is a fake diamond.  As in, not a fake diamond at all, but rather an entirely different mineral.

The only reason to buy a real natural diamond is so that you can brag about it to people, to use it as a form of conspicuous consumption.  "Hey look at this ridiculously overpriced thing I just wasted a ton of money on, isn't it lovely?"  It's like putting spinning rims on your gold plated jet-ski.  It automatically earns you a highlight post on the Antimustachian Wall of Shame and Comedy.

[arebelspy]

I wear a $30 Möbius strip wedding band, like my husband.

The twist doesn't leave an indent on your finger?

[ender]

I can at least somewhat understand not liking CZ because it's not as awesome as diamond from a material property perspective (cost however... well).

But that doesn't really rule out white sapphire or moissanite, both of which are pretty much universally better than diamond in every regard.

Diamonds are basically a fake and more expensive version of moissanite.

[iris lily]

Cz is pretty hard (8-8.5 on the MOHS scale), but white sapphire is harder (9). Moissanite, as was mentioned, is even harder (9) and diamonds are hardest (10). If I wanted a ring that looked like a diamond, I'd be going white sapphire in an ideal cut, or moissanite. They are both around 1/10 the cost of a new diamond. I've seen some cz look scratched and cloudy over time. Definitely get your rings cleaned to keep them looking their best! Most places will do it for free.

I think that white sapphires are really pretty in their own right, to me they look like a big drop of cool pure water. But they don't sparkle like diamonds.

I have only a cheap CZ and it's crappy, it's too perfect looking but doesn't really sparkle. The higher quality ones are supposed to be decent.
Moissanite is man made, but it's kind of interesting. I made an effort to see one in a jewelry store clear across town. In some lights it looked like a diamond, in other lights, it took on the complete color of nearby object, and in some lights it threw rainbow sparkles. It was the rainbow sparkles that I liked, my diamond never behaves like that.

[lifejoy]

Cz is pretty hard (8-8.5 on the MOHS scale), but white sapphire is harder (9). Moissanite, as was mentioned, is even harder (9) and diamonds are hardest (10). If I wanted a ring that looked like a diamond, I'd be going white sapphire in an ideal cut, or moissanite. They are both around 1/10 the cost of a new diamond. I've seen some cz look scratched and cloudy over time. Definitely get your rings cleaned to keep them looking their best! Most places will do it for free.

I think that white sapphires are really pretty in their own right, to me they look like a big drop of cool pure water. But they don't sparkle like diamonds.

I have only a cheap CZ and it's crappy, it's too perfect looking but doesn't really sparkle. The higher quality ones are supposed to be decent.
Moissanite is man made, but it's kind of interesting. I made an effort to see one in a jewelry store clear across town. In some lights it looked like a diamond, in other lights, it took on the complete color of nearby object, and in some lights it threw rainbow sparkles. It was the rainbow sparkles that I liked, my diamond never behaves like that.

Cool! Thanks for describing those :) Moissanite is hard to find in Canada so I haven't seen it in person. I've seen cz and sapphire look GREAT, but if you want it to look like a diamond, ya better go for diamond IMO.

[lifejoy]

Diamonds are basically a fake and more expensive version of moissanite.

That is a really interesting perspective! I dig it.

[ender]

Also, the forever brilliant brand of moissanite costs a bit more but is basically the equivalent of very high end diamonds.

You, and everyone you interact with, will not be able to tell the difference (unless you get bigger ones where the brilliance of moissanite makes it look almost gaudy, anything under 1 carat is indistinguishable).

Regular moissanite can have some discolorings, etc, like CZ.

[DocCyane]

My assistant at work wears a plain gold band and I asked her about it because it's so rare to see a woman not have a diamond.

She said when she and her husband decided to marry, she told him she did not want a token of his love -- she wanted his actual love. Thus a simple gold band.

They've been married 20+ years and have a beautiful daughter.

[arebelspy]

Cool, I like it!