Have you heard of cubic zirconia before? For those who admire the beauty of diamond jewelry, but don't feel like paying the high cost, then the answer is most likely yes. With the high prices and scarcity of gem-grade diamonds, there was a demand for another material that was similar to diamonds, but with a much lower price point.
Cubic zirconia has filled that gemstone void. There are other materials that are also quite popular, such as rhinestones and moissante jewelry, but cz jewelry is by far the biggest selling diamond substitute of them all.
Jewelry made of cubic zirconia has such a likeness to real diamonds that it is nearly impossible for the average person to notice any difference.
Some jewelers may argue that moissante jewelry more closely resembles diamonds a little better; it is much more difficult to find it. At the same time it is also much more expensive for use in rings, necklaces or bracelets.
Have you taken the time to look closely at both cubic zirconia and a real diamond? I would suggest you do a comparison so that you can spot the differences with authentic diamond jewelry. This may take a little extra time, but you'll get to see a side-by-side comparison.
If you decide to purchase a cubic zirconia stone, make sure you get a high quality setting to put it in. This will give it an impressive look and make you feel like you have an actual diamond ring or other piece of jewelry.
The last point I will bring up concerns insurance. Jewelers and jewelry appraisers know the differences between the two. Never try to pass off cubic zirconia as a real diamond. It will never work out and could get you in trouble.
Because cubic zirconia jewelry is designed to imitate the perfect diamond, its most important characteristic is the sparkle. If you want to keep your cubic zirconia rings, pendants, earrings and other jewelry flawless, learning how to properly care for them will go a long way in helping your jewelry to shine as brightly as the smile of those who see it.
In order to protect the brilliance of your cubic zirconia rings, remove them prior to washing your hands, applying makeup or hand lotion, washing dishes or other similar activities that may result in a cloudy film coming into contact with the cubic zirconia. In fact, jewelry should be the last accessory that you put on before walking out the door.
If you own sterling silver cubic zirconia wedding rings, perhaps you never take them off except for regular cleaning. If that’s the case, a polishing cloth or mild jewelry cleaner should be used to maintain both the silver’s brightness and that of the cubic zirconia. If you need a homemade solution, try warm water and dishwashing liquid in a cup. You can dip your cubic zirconia jewelry into the water and gently polish it using a towel or other soft material.
When cleaning your jewelry, especially cubic zirconia rings, take extra care to use a soft object for polishing to prevent scratching. If you are a wearer of cubic zirconia wedding rings, it’s especially important to remove your rings for frequent cleaning as constant wear can result in everyday particles and grime finding their way into every crevice of the ring’s design and will create a buildup that’s difficult to remove.
If you feel that your cubic zirconia jewelry, including cubic zirconia wedding rings and other designs, is in need of a professional cleaning, consult with a local jeweler
Do you want to look like a million bucks without actually having to be out a million bucks? If you are like a lot of people you love to look at the expensive jewelry in the jewelry store, but don't want to be out the money to own those pieces.
Even if you did own the pieces, you may be frightened to wear them, out of fear them being lost or stolen.
So, what's the solution? Cubic Zirconia.
With cubic zirconia you can have the largest piece of ice in the room without the price tag that goes with it.
Many people write off cubic zirconia before even knowing about it, thinking it's nothing more than pretty pieces of glass. They couldn't be more wrong.
Cubic zirconia is not glass. It is simulated diamond. A number of processes are gone through to create this stone that looks and feels like diamonds. In fact, Cubic zirconia is almost as hard as diamond, coming in at an 8.5 on the hardness scale. Essentially this is a flawless, man-made diamond replacement.
When it comes to telling the difference between a real diamond and a piece of cubic zirconia most people have a tough time deciding which is which. This includes trained jewelers. Often the way they can tell the real thing from the zirconia is that the zirconia looks better than the real diamond, since it doesn't share the diamond's penchant for flaws.
The biggest benefit of cubic zirconia, for the wearer, is the ability to get more of a stone for a lower price. If you, or someone you know, has a philosophy of 'the bigger the better' when it comes to their gemstones, cubic zirconia may well become your best friend.
While you know cubic zirconia is a lower-priced alternative to diamonds, did you know cubic zirconia can also be a lower priced alternative to colored stones? Whether it's cubic zirconia emerald tint hoop earrings or cubic zirconia ruby red rings, you can have the look of wearing a fortune in precious gems for a fraction of the price.
Beauty, strength and flair--Cubic zirconia has all these things in an affordable stone that can be turned into some of the most beautiful jewelry in your collection.
Brooches have been used for hundreds of years. The Viking women used brooches to fasten two straps of their pinafores together. The brooches of that time were only serviceable so they were not decorated with jewels. However, through out history brooches have been used to hold up tunics, as a fastener for cloaks, or to hold up bits of material.
Brooches have been an important of the type of clothing worn for centuries. The jeweled brooches were not only enhanced with the addition of jewels and color, but they were still useful as well. Sometime in the Middle Ages the circle pin became the most typical brooch. Usually these jeweled brooches were inscribed for a loved one. A large number of the more elegant brooches appeared with the image of lovers formed in gold and enameled in bright colors. Some of the elegant brooches still in existence have religious scenes. They are often decorated with pearls and precious stones.
Today brooches have been used in various ways. They can adorn the lapel of a winter coat, or pin a scarf to a blouse or dress. Sometimes they will add decoration to a plain dress. Some of the circle one still can be found, but often times they will be in the shape of a dragon fly, a butterfly, a feather, or a flower. There are some shaped like snakes, turtles and other creatures.
These brooches are made from sterling silver, gold or platinum and decorated with gemstones, diamonds or cubic zirconia. Some of the brooches have no stones at all, but are painted to give them color. Some are plain precious metal.
If you are looking for brooches and are on a budget, I would recommend the cubic zirconia brooches. They can be set in a precious metal covered with small cubic zirconia stones and the cost will be around $50.00.
Brooches are a great gift idea mostly because many women don't buy them for themselves. If they are given one, they will undoubtedly think of something they wear needing an added touch and the brooch would be perfect.
Beautiful brooches are not seen as often as they once were. Maybe we aren't wearing them as often as we once did or even as often as our Mothers did. However, a brooch can be a lovely addition to your cubic zirconia jewelry. With all the colors available in the cubic zirconia and the affordable price we really don't have a good reason for not wearing brooches more often.
Take a look at your wardrobe. See if you own something a brooch can enhance. If you wear blazers, the right brooch or possibly a lapel pin would compliment and help complete the look your blazer created. A heavy wool coat can always use a brooch for the lapel. The scarves you wear can be draped and held in place by a beautiful brooch. The cubic zirconia brooches are the best buy for your money. Try them with colored stones or try them natural. They will make you look like you are wearing diamonds and you don't need to let them know any different.
If you are the creative type person, you may enjoy making your own jewelry. You are able to make the design as unique as you are and you can choose the stones that will enhance your design. It will all be your choosing. Creating your own cubic zirconia jewelry allows you to have the freedom to create exactly what you want. Since cubic zirconia comes in a variety of beautiful colors, you will be able to combine stones not found in tradition settings at your local jewelry store.
You will have the freedom to create your own design or you can choose a designer who will make the jewelry for you. The stones can be purchased in bulk at wholesale prices, which will enable you to have enough stones to make a jewelry ensemble.
Creating your own jewelry can sound like a much more difficult process than it actually is. It will take some work, patience and resolve on your part to get the project through to completion. Now let's look at some of the steps to creating your own cubic zirconia jewelry.
You have to think about what you want to make. Have the idea in your mind and visualize it. This will help give you direction when you are in the process of making your jewelry. It is frustrating to be in the middle of making your jewelry and don't know the direction you need to go in. Your project is likely to be put on hold for a time.
Now you have to decide the type of materials you want to use. The stone color(s) you want and the type of metal. Gold or silver metal may be a little more expensive than you want to spend for you first effort at making jewelry. You may want to start off making your first attempts in something cheaper. Get the mistakes out of the way before you progress to the gold, silver or platinum stages. Stainless steel would be a good choice of a material to use on your first attempt to making your own cubic zirconia jewelry.
Now that you have decided on the metal you will use. We can look more closely at the piece you have chosen to make. For example, you have decided to make a pair of earrings first. How are the earrings going to look? Are they going to be stud earrings or would you like to make wires to dangle from your ears?
Now everything has been decided on, it is time to find instructions on how to make the piece exactly as you want them to look. You can find the type of instructions you need at your local craft store or you can even find them by searching the web.
Gather all the materials you will need to make your piece of jewelry. If you need to make a list. Don't start making your piece of jewelry until you have all the materials you need all together. You will hate getting to the "good part", so to speak, and have to stop because you forgot one item. Double or even triple checking all the materials is a good way to insure you have everything you need.
Start assembling your piece of jewelry.
After you have completed your piece of jewelry, take a look at it. You can wear it around with pride in yourself. After this project, you will probably want to do more. Necklace to match, gifts for family and friends, etc. the possibilities are endless.
In many cases, I think cufflinks and tie pins have been forgotten. With the relaxing of business attire for men in the office, cufflinks and tie pins are no longer a necessity. However, evening attire has remained the coat and tie version where cufflinks and tie pins still rule the men's fashion accessories.
When shopping for cufflinks and tie pins, you will find a number of whimsical and trendy pieces, which may attest to the man's hobby or interest. For example, playing cards, dice or even liquor bottles. Other examples include carpenter tool, hand-tied fishing flies under glass, horses, roulette wheels, cap pistols. For the sports fanatics football, baseball and basketball team logos, or footballs, basketball, golf balls and golf club. The traditional cufflinks and tie pins with the classic and elegant are still available. You can find some of the traditional cufflinks and tie pins made of gold plated or silver plated stainless steel with a burnished finish or with a brilliant shine in various shapes such as round, oval, square, triangles and bars. Also available are the jewel-encrusted cufflinks or tie pins. They can be made with colored gemstones such as emeralds or sapphires, or they will have a diamond or cubic zirconia stone.
Cufflinks are traditionally worn with a French-cuff shirt. This style of shirt has no buttons at the cuff to hold them closed. However cufflinks have been around longer than the French-cuffed shirts. They have found evidence of a type of cuff fastener in the hieroglyphics in King Tut's tomb. Cufflinks or cuff fasteners in the mid 1600s were worn only by royalty and were used as decoration. It was in the late 1700s cufflinks were fashioned in a different style to what had previously been worn and was adopted by the middle class and tradesmen of the day. Cufflinks created in the 1840s were held together by metal and sometimes brass chains. They were created from gold, silver or pearl buttons.
The cufflink and the tie pin have come along way since then. They are still a fashion accessory for men and women who sport the French-cuff shirt with a tie today. They also have a much larger selection to choose from than history depicts men had to choose from then. Men and women can choose from the plain, but elegant look of metal or the jewel encrusted cufflinks and tie pins.
Although cubic zirconia may be the least expensive of the stones used in the making of some of today's cufflinks, they are by far the best use of your money. They have the look of elegance and the brilliance of a diamond. A cubic zirconia cufflink coupled with a cubic zirconia tie pin is a stunning finishing touch to a man's suit. Some men say cufflinks are the same to men as earrings are to women. One more pair is never too many and there are many interesting styles to choose from. Cubic zirconia may only make up a small part of the cufflink and tie pin industry, but are a welcomed beautiful and affordable addition.