Cubic Zirconia Anniversary Rings

Ah, the anniversaries! From the first to possibly the 50th, anniversaries are milestones in a marriage that get your blood rushing. I mean, it is another day to mark the longevity of your love! There are so many ways to celebrate this but one that will certainly catch your eye is rings! That's right, rings that have beautiful gemstones engraved into them. From gold to sapphire to ruby to cubic zirconia anniversary rings. There's a variety to choose from.

What are anniversary rings?

These are rings that are gifted for celebrations of anniversaries. Many people gift rings to their partners on major anniversaries like 5, 10, or 25 years as gifting these beauties every year might make some couples bored of it, so they choose to celebrate only major milestones.

On the other hand, you may decide to celebrate the minor milestones. There's no law governing when you should gift an anniversary ring. After all, every year together is worth celebrating.

You can even get creative. Use these rings to mark a special moment in the life of you and your partner. Such as when you welcome a new member into the family or realize that you are expecting a new addition.

Adorned with stunning gemstones, anniversary rings are a sight for sore eyes.
Rings are the right choice when it comes to celebrating anniversaries. Why? Well, because they are convenient jewelry, simple, and elegant. Rings are a perfect choice when it comes to anniversaries.

Traditional gemstones for marriage milestones

There are no rules as to which gemstone you should gift your partner, however, there are traditional gemstones for anniversaries according to the years:

* Gold in the first year.
* Sapphire on the fifth year.
* Diamond for the tenth.
* The fifteenth, ruby.
* The twentieth year, emerald.
* The twenty-fifth, silver.

And so on.

Modern Twists To Traditional Gemstones

Gemstone stimulants are crystals that resemble various gemstones. Diamond, the ever-beautiful and expensive gem, is a gemstone that has several simulants.
Some natural simulants for diamonds include white sapphire or zircon.
Synthetic simulants are diamond alternatives that are grown in a laboratory as opposed to being grown naturally on the ground. Examples are moissanite and cubic zirconia (CZ), which is a preferred choice due to its affordability.

What is Cubic Zirconia?

This is a synthetic crystalline material. It is composed of zirconium dioxide. It is widely known due to its striking similarities to diamond. These resemblances are better visible in small cut sizes of CZ. So, if you were to get a cubic zirconia anniversary ring, it would give you the same feel visually as a diamond.

Origin Of Cubic Zirconia

CZ was discovered in 1892. However, the natural stone is quite rare, so, after many experiments by various scientists, commercial production of synthetic cubic zirconia began in 1976. By 1977, mass production of the crystal in the jewelry industry by major jewelry brands began.

As of 1998, the annual production of Cubic Zirconia had reached 400 tones.

Characteristics Of Cubic Zirconia

* It is a purely colorless crystalline material.
* It measures 8-8.5 on Moh's scale of hardness.
* Its relative density is about 1.7 times that of a diamond.
* It is a thermal insulator.
* CZ is a gem that disperses rainbow colors when light shines through it. So, it is said to have fire.
* CZ is cut differently from diamonds as its facet edges can be smooth or rounded.

Use Of Cubic Zirconia In Fine Jewelry

Due to its low cost, and visual likeness to diamonds, CZ is used in fine jewelry.
It is a beautiful gemstone. It brings variety to your jewelry collection. As an inexpensive diamond alternative, you can add this crystalline material to your ring on that anniversary.

Cubic Zirconia As An Anniversary Ring:

If you're one to follow tradition but due to your budget can not afford a diamond ring for your tenth anniversary, CZ will serve every visually appealing purpose its counterpart may have.
If you're looking for a gemstone that will sparkle in the sun, CZ is the gemstone for you. This is due to the gem's fire. Check out this affordable cubic zirconia ring collection.

Cubic Zirconia Color Variants:

As stated before, CZ is mostly colorless because it is lab-grown. However, there are colored variants of the crystal. The addition of some elements will alter the color of the stone, and a beautiful colored gem will emerge.
The initially colorless crystal can be transformed into green, yellow, purple, pink, or even multicolored variants. So, if you're looking for a little spice on your fine jewelry for your special occasion, then cubic zirconia color variants are the way to go.

Grading Of Cubic Zirconia:

CZ can be classified according to the same qualities of other gemstones using the four C's (color, clarity, cut, and carat weight.)
The quality of CZ varies according to manufacturers. Some are preferable to others. Make sure to ask a consultant on the cubic Zirconia brands that work for you. Visit here to make inquiries.
Most retailers do not make use of grading systems when dealing with cubic zirconia jewelry. A five-tiered system of A(with A being the lowest grade and AAAAA, the highest) is used to grade cubic zirconia, this is usually applied in wholesale deals.

Purchasing A Cubic Zirconia Anniversary Ring

It's that time of the year again, your anniversary. You know you want a CZ ring but you don't understand the grading system. As much as it is affordable, I'm sure you'd like to purchase the best possible quality for you and your partner.
After deciding on your preferences, it is essential to inquire from a jewelry consultant about which CZ ring works for you.
If you'd rather sort the shopping yourself then you would need to visit a jewelry website that is easy to navigate through. I'll save you the stress of almost pointless searching, visit here.

Factors To Consider For Purchase

1. Preferences: You or your partner may want to switch up the traditional gemstones. A good example is getting a CZ ring instead of a diamond ring. In some cases, the determining factor may not be the affordability, it may just be what you like. If the jewelry expert suggests a sapphire ring but your partner would love a moissanite ring, then it is sensible to go with your partner's desires.
2. Durability: It is of utmost importance that you consider the durability of the gemstone. Due to its high hardness, diamond is a good choice when searching for gemstones. However, your budget may not be able to afford a diamond ring. Again, cubic zirconia comes to the rescue. Recently, CZ stones are being coated with other elements that may lengthen their shelf life. Next time you want an anniversary ring, make an adequate inquiry on the CZ ring that works for you.

3. Budget: Again and again, I have hinted at the obvious choice of a lower budget. You guessed it, cubic zirconia anniversary rings.

4. Cleaning techniques are also a determining factor when choosing your ring. Gemstones that have relatively low hardness according to the Moh's scale can not be cleaned with ultrasonic techniques. These crystals are more likely to lose their brilliance and accumulate scratches over time.

5. The level of contrast or complement the anniversary ring has on the previous ring set, the engagement ring, and the wedding ring. This is entirely up to you. It's okay to want a new ring that will complement your old set. You may decide to venture out of your comfort zone and get a ring that contrasts your previous set. Both are great options.

6. If you crave something different from the usual gemstones, then getting a cubic zirconia anniversary ring is one of the ways to go. Of course, you may decide to go for other gemstone simulants or alternatives.

Cubic Zirconia Vs. Other Gemstones

CZ is a commonly used gemstone due to its favorable qualities. The synthetic crystal has qualities that distinguish it from other natural gemstones. We'll be looking at diamond and zircon.

CZ vs. Diamonds

CZ is commonly compared to its high-priced alternative, the diamond. In many cases, cubic zirconia is the preferred choice. Let's compare these stones:
1. Inclusions: One major and noticeable characteristic of CZ is that it is virtually flawless. You won't find black specs or the likes, in a cubic zirconia gemstone. This is due to it being a man-made gemstone. The flawlessness of the gem makes it a good anniversary ring choice.
Diamonds, on the other hand, are usually found with inclusions. Only the rarest of diamonds are without flaw, making them even more valuable, that is, more expensive.
2. Gemstone brilliance or fire: Brilliance is a term used to describe the white light reflected from a stone when light passes through it. The diamond possesses this stunning quality.
However, CZ is a gemstone that gives that visually appealing sparkle like others. Cubic zirconia has fire. When light is passed through the synthetic gemstone it gives off a series of "rainbow colors."
CZ may not have the same sparkle you'd get from a diamond but its shine is just as satisfactory.
If you're interested in a gem's fire, then it would be a wise decision to get a cubic zirconia ring for that anniversary.

3. Durability: I have mentioned durability quite a few times in the course of this article. It is a major distinguishing factor between cubic zirconia and the diamond.
CZ has a hardness of 8-8.5 on the Moh's scale against diamond's whooping 10. Hence diamond is more durable as it is less likely to chip or get scratched.
CZ is still a good choice. It has a life expectancy of about 2-3 years. With the introduction of coating the stone with more durable elements, this can be extended to five years. Proper care is a must.
4. Heat resistance: CZ is a thermal insulator, that is, high temperatures can cause the stone to crack or burn.
Diamonds have high thermal conductivity. Hence, they can withstand high temperatures.
5. Cut: Cubic zirconia can be cut differently from diamonds. The edges of CZ are usually rounded or smooth as opposed to the very sharp edges of a diamond stone.
The facet edges can be observed with a loupe on ×10 magnification.
All edges will appear sharp to the naked eye, so, an anniversary ring with cubic zirconia as the gem will still resemble a diamond ring.
6. Weight: CZ is heavier than diamond.
Collect the gemstones of equal mass and compare. CZ will be heavier than diamond, weighing almost ×2 of the natural gemstone's weight.

Both gemstones are a beautiful choice for your special ring. Nonetheless, cubic zirconia is a nice twist to the traditional gemstone, diamond, for your tenth anniversary. It's all up to you.

Cubic Zirconia Vs. Zircon

Zircon and cubic zirconia are usually mistaken for the same gemstone because of their similar names.
Zircon is composed of zirconium silicate. The first specimen that was found in Australia is estimated to be over 4.4 billion years old. This is worth getting excited about.
Zircon is a natural gemstone. It is also known for its striking resemblance to a diamond. However, the common choice is Cubic Zirconia due to various qualities:
1. Clarity: Just like the diamond, zircon is a gemstone that is rarely completely flawless. However, the natural gem's clarity is remarkable. In most cases, the gem contains inclusions.
As mentioned earlier, CZ is completely flawless due to it being a man-made crystal.
2. Durability: In comparison to zircon, CZ is more durable. As zircon measures between 5 and 7 on Moh's scale of hardness. 6 being a notable measurement because it is the hardness of dust. This means that zircon can be scratched even by dust.

3. Value: Because zircon is a rare natural gemstone, it is more expensive to acquire than cubic zirconia. It is a less popular gemstone as well.

So, getting a cubic zirconia anniversary ring is again a more affordable choice than a ring with zircon.

Ways To Style Your Anniversary Ring

So, you have decided on your anniversary ring. It's beautiful, yes, regardless of your choice. There are many ways to rock your stunning rings.

The way you wear your ring depends on whether you got a ring that complements your previous set, the engagement, and the wedding ring. Maybe you got a contrasting ring. Or just as an improvement on your engagement ring, perhaps you changed the gem on the ring to something different.

These are just a few things to consider when you are about to wear your ring.

You may decide to add the anniversary ring to the stack of rings on your left ring finger. If you want to switch things up, you could wear the anniversary ring on another finger.

Another way to style your ring is to wear it on your right hand. Say you have a diamond engagement ring and wedding band on your left hand, then you got a cubic zirconia anniversary ring, you could wear it on your ring finger in your left hand.

You could remove the previous ring set entirely and wear just the anniversary ring.

Do whatever works for you and rock that ring!

Maintenance Of Cubic Zirconia Rings

Cubic zirconia itself can be cleaned in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, although you(preferably a jewelry expert) will have to pay attention to the setting materials before dumping the stone into the tank.

A CZ ring is easily cleaned. Using a soft brush and detergent, wipe the stone carefully. This will brush off any mild cloudiness on the stone. However, this will not prevent the CZ from becoming permanently cloudy over time. Because of its affordability, it can easily be replaced when this happens.

 

Storage:

It is advisable to store your cubic zirconia anniversary ring with other CZ jewelry. Do not keep it alongside other jewelry that is harder or softer than CZ according to Moh's scale. This is the proper way to store all jewelry.

Cubic Zirconia is a nice gemstone to use on your anniversary ring. It is fairly durable, inexpensive, flawless, and quite dazzling. Not to mention its visual similarities to diamonds. Whether you choose Cubic Zirconia because of its price or because you want something different, you won't regret making the choice.

If you have a special occasion coming up and you're looking for a quick and convenient store to purchase your rings. Take a look at our collection right now!