What Makes Buyers Choose Cubic Zirconia?
Today we finish our story about the journey to create a viable, inexpensive diamond substitute. Read our December 9 post for the beginning of our story about cubic zirconia, the most popular and commercially successful diamond substitute in the world.
In the 1960s French scientists developed a cold crucible technique that resulted in the growth of very small cubic zirconia crystals, but they were unable to create crystals of useable size. The French method was finally perfected by the Soviets in 1973 and the renamed skull crucible method for the shape of the crucible used in production. Soviet modifications led to the first viable commercial production of cubic zirconia.
Since that early success several other production methods and advances have been developed to improve the lab creation of loose cubic zirconia gems. One of the more popular and successful techniques applies extremely high heat and pressure to minerals such as corundum and graphite to approximate the natural conditions under which nature creates diamonds. Lab creation of cz gems, however, takes only a tiny fraction of the millions of years nature requires to grow these beautiful crystals.
Once successful production of cubic zirconia began in 1976, demand for loose cubic zirconia grew rapidly. Global production topped 50 million carats by 1980. Current demand for cubic zirconia and lab created gems is again rising rapidly. The recession has fueled the popularity of cubic zirconia gems and jewelry. With less disposable income, consumers are choosing high quality cz gems that look just like nature’s creations but come with a far less expensive price tag.
Also driving cubic zirconia sales is concern about the environmental impact of mining on the planet. The desire to buy “green” has turned loose cz gems and cubic zirconia jewelry into an eco-friendly consumer choice. “Green” jewelry featuring cz diamonds and colored cz gems set in recycled precious metal settings is in high demand.
Issues of social justice are another factor driving loose cz sales. Abhorrence at the misuse of mine workers in developing countries and the use of “blood diamonds” to finance bloody civil wars has increased consumer awareness of the social issues surrounding natural gems. Today, many consumers prefer manmade cubic zirconia and lab created gems to nature’s creations as a statement of social consciousness.
View PehnecGems’ outstanding selection of loose cubic zirconia at wholesale prices at www.pehnec.com.
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