Why Acquire A Cubic Zirconia Engagement Ring?

Over the past couple of decades the standard diamond has slowly but surely been losing its monopoly on the engagement ring market. The current generation of committed or engaged adults tend to want to express their individuality rather than simply follow the norm, and this has given rise to more and more unusual stones being used as toppers for engagement and wedding rings.

One of the latest additions to this growing pile – which also includes previously neglected mainstays such as sapphires, rubies and emeralds - is cubic zirconia, a stone that many people mistake for a science-fiction creation but which actually does exist (although fairly rarely) in nature.

However, the appeal of this particular stone extends far beyond ‘flavour of the month’ status. For lovers looking for a unique way to represent their love and commitment, a cubic zirconia engagement ring presents a series of strong selling points which make it a viable alternative to the traditional diamond or any of the other stones commonly found on the market.

The Low-Cost Diamond

Gemologically, cubic zirconia (and not zirconium, as it is often wrongly identified) is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide. It is a shiny, crystallographically isometric stone, often used as a substitute for diamonds due to its low cost, high sparkle and durability. Couples opting for a cubic zirconia engagement ring can therefore expect to spend relatively little for a stone with a considerably long life span; a true win-win situation!

Because of its relative rarity in the wild, most cubic zirconia is man-made. That will definitely be the case for the stone topping your cubic zirconia engagement ring, since all instances of the stone in jewellery items have been manufactured artificially. Russian scientists perfected the technique used to manufacture these stones and it is known as the ‘skull crucible’. The process centres on mixing the zirconia feed powder with water and a stabilizer, and wrapping it in radio frequency induction coils for heating. In recent times, certain scientists and jewellers have tried to improve upon cubic zirconia manufacturing techniques, but the results have rarely been entirely consensual.

If you are looking for an affordable, attractive and durable alternative to diamonds, then a cubic zirconia engagement ring is definitely the way to go. And do not be put off by people implying it is merely a ‘false diamond’; as this article has hopefully proven, the stone has a set of qualities all its own that makes choosing it as an engagement ring topper very worthwhile.

Frank L Orman is the founder of the F&L Designer Guides, compiled and written to help consumers choose a unique engagement ring design. From a diamond to a cubic zirconia engagement ring from a princess cut to a platinum band, we have ideas and opinions covering all the options. Offering advice, tips and suggestions on how to choose that perfect ring, F&L will accompany you on every stage of your search to find the right designer.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.