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Costume and Fashion Jewellery Stone Guide |
| Cubic Zirconia |
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Gemologists agree that Cubic Zirconia is the finest diamond simulation because it comes closer than any other gem material to the characteristics of a diamond. Like diamonds, the best cubic zirconia are colorless (or white) and do not lose their brilliance. Given proper cleaning, the cubic zirconia will retain its beauty for years. Almost all the cubic zirconia in the market today is chemically cmrised of zirconium oxide and yttrium oxide. Individually,both of these materials are opaque, white ores, but when they are melted together under appropriate conditions, they combine to form an amazingly brilliant clear crystal. To fill the need for colors, manufacturers also produce a variety of colored cubic zirconia. Cubic Zirconia?s are cut in the same way diamonds are cut. The sizing of the gemstone is usually indicated by its weight in carats, a carat being one-fifth of a gram. Because the cubic zirconia is so dense and solid, it outweighs a diamond of the same millimeter size, weighing 1.7 times more than a diamond of the same millimeter diameter. We use the CZ weight in MBM copy, not the equivalent diamond weigh |
| Swarovski Crystal |
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Swarovski is an Austrian company that makes high-quality rhinestones, beautiful cut crystals, costume jewelry, and other glass-related items. The company was founded by Daniel Swarovski (1862-1956), the son of a glass faceter. In 1892, Daniel developed a new mechanized technique for faceting glass crystals, creating a sparkling, diamond-like "chaton". He then started a factory (and company) in Wattens, Austria (in the Tyrolean Alps) in 1895. In the 1970's, the company expanded to the Providence, Rhode Island, USA - they later moved to Cranston, Rhode Island. In 1955, Swarovski and Christian Dior developed the iridescent aurora borealis stone. |
| Synthetic |
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Man-made, but having the same physical, chemical and optical characteristics as the natural stone. Synthetic stones are made in laboratories; these stones generally lack imperfections. It is very difficult to distinguish a synthetic stone from a natural stone. |
| Genuine nature stone |
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Any gemstones (stone that may be used as a jewel when cut and polished) valued for their beauty but which are not one of the four "precious stones", (emerald diamond ruby or sapphire). Some examples of semiprecious stones are amethyst, aventurine, carnelian, garnet, opal, peridot, rose, quartz, etc. |
| Epoxy |
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Any of various tough resistant thermosetting synthetic resins containing epoxy groups: used in surface coatings, laminates, and adhesives. |
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