Is That a Diamond Ring Or CZ Ring?

For years many people have always relied on the same old method of telling a real diamond ring from a cubic zirconium, or CZ ring. If it scratches glass, then it is a real diamond. However, that isn't necessarily true anymore. Over the years a cubic zirconium has been made to fool even the most discerning eye and guess what, they can cut glass too. Below is a list of ways to try and tell the difference between a real diamond ring and what may be a CZ ring.

First, to be able to properly tell the difference between a cubic zirconium and a diamond you must first learn the characteristics of the cubic zirconium. These are the same characteristics that make them look similar to a diamond and also make them different from a diamond. The chances are you are not going to have this kind of scale put away on a shelf, but the cubic zirconium's hardness is measured to be 8.3 on the Mohs scale whereas the diamond will register a 10. Second, the cubic zirconium is flawless where as a flawless diamond is not only rare, but also very expensive. All diamonds will have some impurities in the stone. The third characteristic of the cubic zirconium is that when it is exposed to sunlight for long periods of time it will turn a distinct gray color. You can mark the stone in question with a grease tip pencil or felt tip marker. Because diamonds attract grease while cubic zirconium repels grease the marking will not stay on the cubic zirconium. Fourth, you could check the transparency of the stone is another test you can do on the stone you have purchased. Here is how you do that: lay the stone in question on top of a newspaper, if you can read the print through the stone the chances are it is not a diamond. However, this test is not 100 %, so there is a chance it is a diamond. Fifthly the facet edges of a stone can help you determine the real from the fake. The cubic zirconium's edges are sometimes rounded with some chipping. If the stone has very sharp edges, you may have a diamond. The sixth test to try out is the fog test. Put fog on the stone like you would a mirror. If the stone stays fogging for a few seconds, you may have a cubic zirconium. Real diamonds will quickly dissolve the heat. However, the result of this test is also not reliable if the stone has accumulated any dirt and oil. Lastly, if by chance you have access to a carat scale or a gram scale you can analyze the stone's weight. A cubic zirconium weighs more than a diamond with the stones both being the same size.

These tests can not be 100% reliable in determining a cubic zirconium or CZ ring from a real diamond ring. If you have paid for a diamond and think you may have received a good fake you should take it to a qualified gemologist or jeweler.

There is nothing worse than paying for something you did not get. Many thieves are using cubic zirconium stones to switch with real diamonds while pretending to shop at a jewelry store. Don't always assume your jeweler is a thief, but buy with caution. It could be he was robbed first and hadn't noticed the switch in the fake diamonds for the real one. If you use these seven tests we told you about your chances of getting fooled are much slimmer.

Checkout the CelebritySilver.com CZ Diamond rings section for amazing sterling silver cz diamond rings inspired by popular celebrities.