If you are a jewelry lover, there are facts about cubic zirconia that may surprise you.  While it rivals a diamond in beauty and clarity, it is also very solid and hard to damage.  Here are some other little tidbits about these sparkling stunners that will change your mind about diamonds - and the huge price you pay for them!

Cubic zirconia is a mineral.  Surprising, isn't it?  It is actually the cubic crystalline form of zirconium oxide.  It is without a doubt the best alternative to a diamond, and has been made a fashion staple over the last few years.  It comes closer to matching the characteristics of a diamond than any other gem in existence.  Many trained gemologists cannot tell the difference using a naked eye. 

Here is another interesting fact.  While diamonds often have flaws, cubic zirconia does not because it is man made.  Each stone is cut perfectly, and the clarity is astounding.  It is amazing that these breathtaking stones don't cost more than they do, because they rival a diamond so closely.  They are even hard enough to cut glass!  While a diamond has a hardness of 10 on Mohs hardness scale, a CZ has a hardness of 8.5 - very impressive.

Cubic Zirconia is also very easy to care for.  You can purchase liquid jewelry cleaner in many stores.  Most of these come with a small brush so that you can clean in tiny crevices and around the prongs.  By simply soaking your CZ in the solution for the recommended time and brushing, your stone will be as brilliant as the most expensive diamond you have ever seen!

There are also ultrasonic devices that come with a special cleaning solution.  These work extremely well, and remove every trace of soil, body oils, cosmetics and other things that can dull your stone.  In between cleaning, simply polish your cubic zirconia with a soft cloth such as chamois.

You always want to take care of your fashion jewelry so that it lasts as long as possible.  When taken care of properly, cubic zirconia will last the rest of your life, and retain its brilliance.  Of course you want to use common sense and remove all jewelry when doing cleaning chores, washing dishes, etc.

Most women truly love jewelry - and it can get very expensive!  Why would someone even have a fleeting thought of purchasing an outrageously expensive diamond, when cubic zirconia possesses the same sparkle and beauty for a much lesser price?  You can add many beautiful pieces to your jewelry collection for considerably less money than you would spend on one diamond.

The current economy is in shambles, and money is tight for many people.  If you are considering the purchase of a diamond, why not first take a close look at the cubic zirconia?  You will be shocked at the similarity, and the blown away by the difference in price.