As a jewelry professional (Graduate Gemologist G.G., and Gemstone Faceter)and a scientist, I can say that adequately cut and polished CZ and Moissanite are virtually indistinguishable from diamonds to the naked eye. The only reason to say a diamond is more beautiful than the other two is a psychological term called "conspicuous consumption" where value is determined by price paid only. The value of diamonds used in jewelry is the LACK of color, the most expensive are the whitest and clearest with the exception of intense colors, i.e., yellow, green, blue, and reds. Spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on a diamond is frivolous since its price is based on monopolistic control of the source and lore based on years of intense advertising, primarily false, by the jewelry industry. Best advice for newlyweds is to invest your money in a first house and buy costume jewelry.
I don't care what the stone is made of as long as it has great clarity and it sparkles! I cannot justify spending thousands of dollars on a rock when that money could fund hundreds of meals for starving people or greatly needed surgery.
Costume jewelry used to be done solely with rhinestones & now thanks to CZ’s, it looks more expensive/believable ❤️ It’s amazing how many people take CZ pieces on holidays to avoid theft/loss. I love my large collection..no body guards needed when I go out 🥰👍❤️
@stinkygamergirl9505 yes, but the object you love, has sentimental meaning and you may have a hard time replacing money wise, would be safe. So still a good idea.
Having lots of diamond and CZ, I find CZ more worth it until diamonds price lowers. They are both great unless you're trying to show off some giant CZ piece like a huge tennis chain everyone knows you didn't spend 30k on. Nothing wrong with admitting you're wearing cz until you start claiming it's a diamond. Edit: also diamonds aren't very rare, they're just monopolized. Diamonds are good in very specific situations imo.
First...love your screen name! second, I agree CZ has it's place. lastly, and most controversial (probably least important to most), "nice" diamonds are rare. which is why the grading becomes very finite, tedious and specific. AND why the price grows exponentially as they become "nicer". With that said, that aspect does not have to be paramount for most diamond buyers. Of course, if all other factors were equal, I want the nicer stone. Also, if they were "common" it would be difficult to monopolize because competition would be everywhere. But it is expensive to mine diamonds, because most diamonds are "commercial" value. only a small percentage of diamonds end up in jewelry stores (probably close to 5-10% depending who you ask). Bottom line is, you are correct, I just feel I have to clarify that point. Thank you for sharing. I appreciate the comments!
@@hahayourfunny5320 "fake" but it not ...i think if the general public started to see it for what it is a fine gemstone the demand and the price will skyrocket.
I wear a diamond eternity band that I inherited from my mom on my right hand, and I also have recently gotten a CZ engagement ring. It’s our ten year anniversary and, while I have loved my little 3 stone diamond engagement ring that my husband proposed with, I was ready to try something closer to a carat solitaire. But we have kids to invest our money in now, so I couldn’t justify thousands on a new ring. I have worn many rings in my life and feel like I have a good system for going easy on my rings now. I am really excited to see how it holds up. Both rings have beautiful sparkle, I definitely see more color in the CZ, but since it is so much larger than the diamonds in the eternity band, the difference isn’t very noticeable. Like, obviously it’s different because it’s bigger and in a prong setting, as compared to my channel set eternity band. I find myself staring at the CZ’s beauty and just being filled with pride knowing I didn’t spend thousands of dollars on it, yet it’s still beautiful. Thanks for your videos. I appreciate the fact that you aren’t afraid to say there’s a definite place for CZ.
Cubic Zirconia is a fun stone. It also comes in a rainbow of colors. For example, I have a red cz set in a gold filled sterling silver ring. It is a substantial ring and didn't cost much. The stone is very beautiful and striking. The color is equal or better than any ruby or garnet that I've seen plus it has the scintillation that only a cz, moissanite, or diamond can provide. To my mind, the ring falls somewhere between fine and fashion jewelry. And that is what is so fun about cz. Just don't get attached to it.
People commenting saying they buy CZ to wear on vacation… If you can’t go a week without having something bling on you to attract attention & make you feel good, then you have personal problems. I wear a CZ tennis chain everyday, & it shines harder then people’s $30,000 diamond tennis chain. Edit: how much are y’all going on vacation, that you bought a whole set of cz jewelry to go a vacation with? I don’t believe that lie, y’all are telling.
Liked the way you discuss the topic of CZ’s purpose of existence.. bought CZ once which was set on a stainless steel ring.. the girdle chipped in a week after purchase and never looked at any ever since..
Andrew, Cubic Zirconia was used to thwart the heist of the de beers Millennium Star Diamond in the year 2000. The precautions taken by the Metropolitan Police Flying Squad included replacing the priceless gems with replicas of the same size, allowing the originals to be stored elsewhere, as well as installing a false wall inside the exhibit room, behind which 20 police were waiting in full tactical gear. So, yes, this synthetic stone has other uses as well. I was lucky enough to see the real stone on display at the Natural History Museum in London, it’s locked away now in a secret location.
CZ is used in jet engines as it can tolerate 2,000 C, it also is used in rockets. For smart people like me (scientist) it holds a very big emotional value
This is the second video of yours I've watched (I subbed after the first) I like the fact you get your audience to consider different though similar stones. I'm often annoyed at the "snobbery" In such things as Metals, stones, Art, etc though I totally understand and accept there are justifications for the more expensive option based on practicalities such as durability, etc. what bugs me is when people dismiss something based on the monetary value rather than the aesthetic, eg I find nothing wrong with putting a beautiful diamond in a piece of copper jewelry IF it looks good, I wish people would look at the "Beauty" of something rather than turn your nose up at it because it's copper or silver, rather than gold or platinum. (you know who you are lol). Ooops sorry for the long post (rant) lol. look forward to catching up on your previous posts ;@)
It always amuses me that the same industry that promotes diamonds for their durability promotes gold and shames other metals. It also argues for “rarity” while pushing one of the most available stones currently on the market. I love gems and think that they all have a place but seeing a touch of reality now and then is refreshing.
I can tell you that if I had very limited budget for a ring for example I would rather go for a good size CZ rather than a tiny diamond. Vanity I guess. :)
Why can't I find any info on natural zircon as an alternative!? I know you did a video on zircon, I can not find much else on it and I would like to know about using it for a wedding ring.
The “excuse to be cheap” comment came off as a little classist but otherwise very informative video. Maybe add some research into the historical intersection of capitalism and the jewelry industry?
I am always more interested in how a piece looks rather than it's resale value. I think of ancient art work and jewelry. Egyptian jewelry,medieval jewelry. It's all relative. Hardwick hall,more glass than wall. Glass and aluminum were super expensive! Any past civilization would marvel at any modern invention. It really is the ctafstmanship of any object that I value. If I like it,I am going to buy it.
I found your channel and am enjoying the knowledge your are sharing. I am very picky about jewelry I purchase or have custom made. I recently moved and am checking out local jewelers and not big box ones as I have a lot of gems I want to have set in some special ways. Your advice and insight has helped a lot. Thanks. 👍🥰
Well, I'd be all diamonds all the time if I could afford the 4+ carat stones. If not, you've got to turn to diamond alternatives. I also think we need to expand our idea of beauty. White sapphires and moissanites only look fake if you're trying to pass them off as diamonds. But they don't look fake as white sapphire and moissanite. They have their own district sparkle that differs from diamonds.
A great option to a diamond can be a clear topaz. Honestly, diamonds are way too overpriced and often with a shady source. It's not even a rare stone, but as it is so hard, the cut is really amazing. Even with that, it doesn't seem worth it.
Very well said. We started off with a CZ. It is all chipped and banged up after 6 years, yet the white gold held up well (same ring). We are shopping for another ring, and now can't decide if we want to take the Moissanite, CVT or HPHT alternatives. So much alternatives to choose from. Do you have any informational videos on CVT and HPHT? It seems the CVT/HPHT have a hardness of 10 which should be as durable as Diamond. Thank you so much for posting these video and helping out blokes like me :/
I used to want everything real..Until I found out jewelry used on Days of our lives, 80’s Dynasty, top movies etc used replica’s/fakes. I love that I was able to get the 128ct Yellow diamond Tiffany necklace/replica done in Sterling Silver for only $500 🥳🎉 Its a show stopper & will be passed down for generations. Ali Express has quite the verity 🥰👍
I wear two pieces that have 5a cz if someone were to ask me if they were real diamonds I would say no they simulated, I like the way they look bc there different than any other pieces I’ve seen not to mention when light hits them they still dancing around nice and bright it’s definitely a better option if your on a budget or don’t wanna spend thousands of dollars but I’m thinking of getting into moissanite just bc it’s the in between way to go and they look pretty nice as well
Another nice little video mate. Could I suggest a video on topaz? I've recently brought some london blue loose stones, would love to know your take on them. As for czs vs diamonds, czs takes the prize for me, I like the fire.
I am not sure that I could say that Zirconia will shine better than a Diamond... I have the two in my jewellery sets and they seem to be quite clear to my eyes regardless in day light or under a spotlight.
I think as lab grown diamonds become more common, simulants will increasingly become a thing of the past. I recently had a ring restored, and the jeweler said they'd just give me a diamond because the price difference was so negligible.
I really like the sharpness of diamond vs the soon-dull facets of CZs. I like it over the blurry double-refraction of moissanite. But, the cost of diamonds is laughable to me. They are all just beautiful rocks. Moissanite is my go-to for a durable stone, but I am disappointed that I cannot get ruby-red moissanite. I cannot get ruby-red lab diamond (even though I wouldn’t pay current prices for it). I like fire, and ruby (corundum) has no fire at all. So, I am thinking of a ruby-red CZ for a ring.
The Mat Sci Guy on RU-vid has a brief video on Cubic Zirconia that is well worth watching. He does sound cartoonish. I subscribe to Your Average Jeweller (Canadian spelling) and I like your talks, but, respectfully, as a gem collector, I actually prefer sites featuring actual jewels, with in depth comparisons, good lighting, magnifications, and specific information.
Hey bro, hoping you could see this comment, i’m a new subscriber and i will try to dig in your videos about “CZ, TIPS & Maintenance ex. coatings” Thanks for this video, God bless u
Diamonds for the ring you ask her with, moissanite for a backup ring for things like sporting events or concerts, and CZ for anything not a ring or watch.
Is it the same as glass? Would glass be put in a engagement ring setting/ I inherited a set, but the silver-tone just seems cheap so I assumed it was CZ
I have an 18 inch black cz chain that dances around my neck under any light and people think it's real don't know how much a real one might cost using low grade diamonds but this looks great for the price only bad thing is the actual chain gets discolored so I bought a new one and used clear coaton it and it's been a year and it still looks great, don't worry about cz being not perfectly clean it's not like someone is gonna pull out a microscope and analyze your jewelry 🤣🤣🤣
Thank you for the info. Sigh, right now cz is all I can afford. If I marry I would be so happy to find the right one, I'd be content with even a xz or moissanite, depending on his budget. I do like cz for bracelets and earrings. But of course, I would love a diamond. Lab grown would be great!
You know it's funny I try to say I'm not bias against CZ, but I rarely make anything with it. Now, I never use diamond cause I'm building a supply forthat option but, I can get your bias
I didn't know and i tried selling Coins and Stones too but so much problems all sides of me. But everything you said about stones and i did having so where do i have to sell !. Can you help ?.
I was born in Seattle in 1973, where I grew up. Japanese-American (showing HOW I grew up). Male. In 2018 or so, I was at a Seattle Mariners game, in the bar area. She was very pretty, and in her 20s. She was wearing a solitaire ring on her left ring finger, with a BIG stone. However, I am very knowledgable about bridal jewelry, for a male. I could tell that it was CUBIC ZIRCONIA, by the COLOR of the stone! What are your thoughts? She didn't seem to mind it at all!
I'm surprised that you don't use real zircon, my engagement ring has a real zircon, of Exellent quality, and it looks like a real diamond, in Greece we are not familiar with cubic zirconia, (even though real zircon is softer than cz)!
I'd buy CZ to take on vacations. Usually what I do is just take and wear a single pair of earrings and a ring that never gets taken off. I don't care if I wear them every single day on a vacation.
Cubic zirconia rings are great but they are cheap ones. But if you pay a few hundred dollars for good cubic zirconia rings coming from Russia they are the best quality cubic zirconia rings in my opinion.
Diamond is probably the most common gemstone. An average of 160 million carats are mined per year. If their price is not artificially controlled, in a couple of years their prices could fall 10 times or more.
Diamonds are not even rare and can be made in a lab just like CZ, and the diamond mining industry is an environmental and human rights disaster, so....CZ it is! Hubby and me call them "vegan diamonds".
So for a necklace were a bunch of small stones are set it's totally fine right, And can u let the jeweler make them look shiney again , the necklace looked very shiney , thoughts?
@@YourAverageJeweler thank u , I'm thinking of buying a necklace for my gf but, I don't want them to go dull soon after I buy them ,, don't think it's a good present, if it takes 2 years it's not a buggy an we can let a jeweler clean it up it's just a necklace tho not a wedding ring
I like the idea of diamonds because they come from nature, and they are literally precious. A CZ or lab diamond otoh... is only for bling factor. I would buy diamonds BECAUSE they are expensive, even purely for investment value, a wearable investment! Currently deciding what to use in a new pair of earrings, the CZ's from my old pair, or to invest in the real thing for down the road.
Actually it's not an investment, the only person profiting from diamonds are the jewelers, just buy a fresh cz pair of earrings and keep the money you saved in the process, maybe actually invest them in a stock :) Diamonds aren't rare, they're just a really great example of supply and demand manipulation.
Lol. Scientist here, chemistry of CZ is far more impressive than pure carbon. I can also make your diamonds in my lab easily, same physical chemical properties
Moissanite all day long! More fire, similar hardness and durability, real stone with certification, conflict free, way cheaper... and from OUTER SPACE!
Stop lying to the people. Go sell your "real jewels " and get almost nothing in return. Simply lab grown is better but yoy wanna fo with a high quality lab grown
As far as cz vs diamonds it’s like getting a print of your favorite celebrities autograph vs the real thing . Guess who gets to see the diamond the most ? Me! So it makes no sense to go cz unless you’re planning on getting married in a Walmart then go ahead. Oh diamonds are worthless after I buy them!?!? I didn’t buy a ring my size to resell lol. Go into real estate if you want to flip.
@@YourAverageJeweler thanks,I do have to say after dealing with mini a jeweler you by far the most honest when I’ve ever encountered not to say that they’re all liars by any means but you’re never going to hear very many of them suggest that moissanite or CZ ever to be implemented into any jewelry. You do have the argument though that diamonds are worthless after you purchase them which I’m not too worried about because I’m getting the value out of them that I wanted but I’ve heard people go as far to say that professional jewelry thieves will generally leave diamonds alone and go for gold but I’m sure there is crooked diamond cutter is out there so that doesn’t really make any sense either what are your thoughts on that
I only buy diamonds because they are the original ,anything trying to emulate it is not going to give the same emotion. If I cannot afford it I would buy something cheaper like ruby or emerald
I’m sorry if I were proposed to with a CZ ring trying to pass as a diamond, I would spit out my coffee and say no. If it were moissanite being called a moissanite, I’d have no problem with it. I think CZ is so ingrained in my head as fraudulent, synthetic, and cheap that I would be insulted to receive it.
I am a scientist so if I were proposed with a CZ Id be happy, chemistry for a chemist. CZ is used in rockets, airbus turbines, NASA modules, can resist 2000 C and is just pretty in red and pink. If I explained to you how CZ works chemically you would not understand a word, hah. Go buy your African kid labor thing I dont mind, we can create diamonds in lab anyway so... Yeah.
