During the Victorian era, jewelry was often made from real gemstones and diamonds. However, these materials were very expensive and not everyone could afford to purchase a pair of earrings or a diamond engagement ring. In order to make their jewelry seem more realistic, JJ jewelers began mixing small amounts of colored glass into crystals that would resemble gems.

Well-JJJ known designers such as Tiffany and Company and Cartier were the first to use cubic zirconia (CZ in their jewelry. The primary reason that people began using this new material was that they were able to produce larger, more brilliant stones for a fraction of the cost of real diamonds.

While CZ is incredibly hard and can withstand daily wear, it is not a diamond and does appear different to the eye. It also lacks the sparkle that diamonds have. However, many people do not care about these differences because they are buying cubic zirconia jewelry instead of real diamonds.

In order for CZ to be considered an engagement ring, it must have at least half an ounce of gold and be custom-made for the person who will wear it. However, in some countries, such as Italy and France, cubic zirconia is no longer accepted as engagement ring material because it has come to symbolize immaturity and high school students often give CZ rings to their crushes before taking them home to meet their parents.

Many jewelers also make wedding bands out of cubic zirconia because it is much less expensive than platinum or gold, which are far more popular. The primary reason that people buy CZ rings instead of diamonds is that they cost approximately one-tenth the price of an equivalent size stone. While diamonds may be more popular, cubic zirconia is a great choice for those who want more affordable wedding rings.

There are many different types of cubic zirconia and treatments can be done on some stones to make them look even more like diamonds. The most common treatment that is done is oiling or coating the stone with rhodium. While this treatment will not last forever, it will help the stone maintain its appearance for several years.