Cubic Earrings

Sure to shimmer, shine, and impress: cubic zirconia stud earrings, whether accenting a formal gown or a professional suit or an everyday outfit. Ladies might not be thrilled to find cubic zirconia sparkling from their engagement ring bands, but purchasing it on their own initiative is a completely different matter. Diamonds are expensive, and putting them in one's earring collection might not be worth the money, no matter how much the little beauties glitter and twinkle and make one sigh. A cheaper, easier solution is the number one diamond simulant, cubic zirconia. Shoppers should expect jewelers to talk about these synthetic stones the same way they talk about diamonds: in terms of carat, cut, color, and clarity, and should know that, like a diamond, the ideal cubic zirconia is Brilliant Cut, a stone with nearly perfect proportions.

These earrings are offered in a wide variety of looks--pear-shaped, marquise, round trillion, and emerald cut, to name a few. Studs may be round, square princess cut, heart-shaped, or cushion cut, and vary in size as real diamonds do. They are often clustered with other stones, both natural and synthetic, such as emerald, ruby, and sapphire. Cubic zirconia hoop earrings are equally varied, coming in many different sizes and styles; both kinds of earrings are usually set in yellow gold, white gold, sterling silver, or platinum. Another lovely earring option is the chandelier style, which provides a wonderful look for dress-up occasions.

Prices also vary vastly, depending on the location of the purchase and the size, quality, and quantity of the stones. A shopper may find small cubic zirconia stud earrings on sale at a department store for $25 or may pay $2,000 for hoop earrings ringed inside and out with synthetic stones. The highest quality synthetic stone earrings will be found at stores specializing in synthetic stones, and there are many of these, especially online. However, the lowest prices for this kind of jewelry will most likely be found at department stores. One thing is absolutely certain: the shopper will pay a lot more diamonds than for cubic zirconia hoop earrings.

The next question on the shopper's mind is probably how cubic zirconia compares to diamonds in appearance, durability, and quality. She can rest assured that while a jewelry connoisseur can probably spot a fake stone with the naked eye, the average person is certainly not going to notice when a woman walks by sporting cubic zirconia stud earrings. There will be no whispers or snobby smirks or shakes of the head; no matter how fashion-minded her friends may be, those laides will not know the difference between a diamond and a synthetic stone--unless, of course, they know she barely makes enough money to pay her rent. However, if a buyer chooses tasteful, reasonably sized stones, she has nothing to fear. Cubic zirconia is harder than most stones, but is certainly softer (and heavier) than a diamond; it is laboratory-grown and made of melted zirconium oxide, and, unlike diamonds, it generally contains no defects at all and can be made completely colorless.

One reason many people choose cubic zirconia hoop earrings and other synthetic jewelry over diamonds is that artificial stones are safer for daily wear and travel. Having synthetic items stolen is not nearly as great a misfortune as losing diamonds or other very expensive gemstones. When, in absentminded moments, a woman watches her earring fall into the bathroom sink or leaves it on a hotel nightstand, she will not suffer the emotional and financial loss that she would if she misplaced a diamond. Unburdened from her fears of a lost earring, a woman is freer to enjoy the social event she is attending--she can laugh and dance and have a wonderful time without touching her ear lobe every few minutes to ensure that her jewelry is still in place. After all, wearing beautiful jewelry should be a pleasure, not a cause for anxiety and stress.

One caution when purchasing cubic zirconia stud earrings and other similar ornaments: synthetic stones do not have the same intrinsic and lasting value of diamonds--in other words, artificial diamonds are always an expense and never an investment. Shoppers should avoid spending too much money on synthetic stones, as they are not the sort of item you can resell with any success and are not going to be received with joy by one's grandchildren as an inheritance. No matter how nicely artificial stones glimmer and glitter, they are not diamonds and will not provide any other help to their owner besides inexpensive fashion. Shoppers should choose wisely, carefully, and frugally, or they will certainly regret their purchase in the future. "For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, but the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it" (Ecclesiastes 7:12).

The main point to remember is that synthetic jewelry is just for fun. Cubic zirconia hoop earrings or stud earrings can be worn every day with jeans and a nice blouse or can provide a lovely accent for an evening party cocktail dress. Some online synthetic jewelry stores boast that many celebrities wear cubic zirconia in order to keep up with fashion trends, citing examples of rappers, sophisticated actresses, and sports figures who like synthetic jewelry for its glamorous appearance and low price. While this may or may not be true, wearing synthetic jewelry is certainly one way for ordinary fashion-minded persons on a budget to stand out in the crowd without emptying their wallets.

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