So what is the difference in the middle of diamond and cubic zirconia? Why is cubic zirconia (Cz) swiftly becoming more beloved as a desirable substitute for diamond? Gemologists can agree that Cz comes closer than any other gem material to matching the characteristics of a diamond.
Most people, even trained gemologists, cannot tell the difference in the middle of diamond and Cz, with the naked eye. Moreover, to the untrained eye, Cz looks same to a good potential diamond. However, under closer inspection, Cz appears to have slightly less brilliance (or sparkle) than a diamond, and more fire, or flashes of color.
Diamond
Czs were originally industrialized by the Russians, for their space program. They were industrialized as an alternative to diamonds that were used in the optics of their lasers. Czs have a refractive index, dispersion and hardness so close to a diamond it's uncanny.
So what are some key features that can guide you in telling the difference in the middle of diamond and Cz? Do keep in mind, though, in order to accurately distinguish the two gems, gemological tool such as microscope, or loupe, must be used for testing and verification.
To start, let's take a look at the hardness factor: Did you know Cz ranges in the middle of 8.5 to 9.0 on the Mohs' hardness scale whereas diamond, one of the hardest materials known to man, is rated 10, lying at the top of the hardness scale?
Furthermore, glass (or sand) is rated practically 5 to 6 on the hardness scale, therefore, dust and dirt will not scratch Cz. Indeed, Cz can scratch glass just like quarterly diamonds, production it more resistant to chipping.
One great difference in the middle of diamond and Cz is weight. Czs are heavyweights in comparison to diamonds; a Cz will weigh practically 1.75 times more than a diamond of equivalent size. So basically, a piece of Cz the same size as a one-carat diamond weighs about 1.75 carats. Well...isn't that interesting?
Contemporary output of Cz is virtually flawless, whereas diamond commonly contains impurities and inclusions, or have some sort of defect, be it a feather, included crystal, or possibly a remnant of an traditional crystal face (e.g. Trigons).
In regards to color--more precisely, the lack of color--only the rarest of diamonds are truly colorless, as most have a tinge of yellow or brown to some extent. By comparison, Cz in most cases can be made entirely colorless, equivalent to a perfect "D" on diamond's color grading scale.
Also, under close inspection with a loupe, the facet shapes of some Czs appear distinct from diamonds. Both gems disperse light a dinky differently. Dispersion is just a scientific term for the breaking up of light into its spectral colors. With a dispersive power greater than diamond (0.060 vs. 0.044), the more prismatic fire of Cz can be seen by even an untrained eye.
Dispersion occurs based on the gem's refractive index. In this case, refractive index plainly indicates how much a beam of light will bend, based on the direction in which it is traveling when it passes in the middle of two materials of distinct optical densities (such as in the middle of diamond and air; or in the middle of Cz and air). Being that Cz has a refractive index of 2.176, compared to a diamond's 2.417, diamonds are therefore said to be brighter than Cz.
Another difference in the middle of the two gems is that Czs are thermal insulators--meaning, they cut the rate of heat transfer--whilst diamonds are among the most productive thermal conductors--meaning, they allow heat to honestly pass through them. Without testing the gems' heat conductivity, it can be difficult to tell them apart.
Remember, it is a 50/50 guess to recognize a gem by optical inspection; it is not a scientific method of authentication. That is why even certified and degreed gemologists use gemological tool for testing and verification.
You will also be glad to know that Czs are not only durable and inexpensive, but just like diamonds, they come in any color of the rainbow, production them even more desirable.
There have been many instances to see if jewelers can tell the difference in the middle of diamond and cubic zirconia, just by examining the gems with the naked eye. Over and over again, it was inconclusive; jewelers could not tell the difference just by looking at the gems. So you can now understand why the difference in the middle of diamond and cubic zirconia rests in the price, and in the mind...
diamond or Cubic Zirconia - Knowing the difference Can Save You Money!
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น