Cubic Zirconia, or CZ, was discovered in 1937 by two German mineralogists who found the cubic form of zirconium oxide.

It wasn't until the 1970s however when Soviet scientists learned how to grow this mineral in the laboratory, at which time jewelry designers first took notice of Cubic Zirconia.

Cubic zirconia really took off in the 1980s, when Swarovski & Co, a world-renowned Austrian producer of leaded crystal (Swarovski crystal) began producing cubic zirconia in mass quantities.

Recently, new developments in CZ production have led to a new array of cubic zirconia stones in every color of the rainbow. Cubic zirconia is considered the best diamond simulant because it comes closer than any other gem material to matching the actual characteristics of a diamond. Most people, even trained gemologists, cannot tell the difference with the naked eye.

Cubic Zirconia can offer good value compared to high-priced diamond jewelry. Check out some of the links below if you may be interested in buying cubic zirconia jewelry ¬