Cubic Zirconia (CZ) vs Diamond [Comparison in Different Lightings] @Beyond4Cs

Uploaded March 2018 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago

For more details on diamond stimulants, go to: beyond4cs.com/faq/how-to-spot-a-fake-diamond

This video compares a loose cubic zirconia (CZ) vs a diamond engagement ring in a side by side placement. We review these 2 types of gemstones for their optical properties and performance.

In the first half of the video, we place both gemstones under office lighting to see their contrast patterning and brightness.

In the second half of the video, we place the cubic zirconium along side the diamond ring under the afternoon sun. We record their interactions with light to see their fire and sparkle.

Unlike other stimulants, CZ is actually a good substitute for diamond if you are looking for a cheap and low budget option. However, if we were to critically analyze both the diamond and cubic zircon, we will be able to see differences due to cut quality,

For full details of the vintage ring used in this comparison, visit this url: beyond4cs.com/2015/06/vintage-engagement-rings

Cubic Zirconia (CZ) vs Diamond [Comparison in Different Lightings]

$CZ Ring - Can It Pass a Diamond Tester? To find out more about cubic zirconia rings and real diamonds, go to: https://beyond4cs.com/faq/cubic-zirconia-vs-diamond/ In the jewelry market, you can find cubic zirconia rings everywhere from departmental stores to higher end chains. And they are really popular for good reasons. CZ is cheap, relatively durable and looks alot like real diamonds. Most of the cubic zirconia you find in jewelry are mass produced in China where production costs are low and the cost per carat being as low as a few cents. This inexpensive option coupled with its appearance make CZ suitable for both higher end and lower end jewelry. In this video, we are using a diamond tester on a $10 cubic zirconia engagement ring that I bought online. As you can see in the video, the gemstone tester accurately checks the ring out as a non-diamond ring. This quick examination only takes a fraction of a minute and gives you a very convenient way to perform identification tests at home. While this CZ ring can be identified easily with a diamond tester, I do want to point out that there are limitations to it. Some gemstones which have similar thermal conductivity like moissanite would not be accurately identified with a heat probe testing equipment. If you are a hobbyist or someone who wants a cheap and simple way of identifying CZ and other common simulants, you can buy this diamond tester here: https://beyond4cs.com/go/amazon-diamond-tester/ https://beyond4cs.com/go/ebay-diamond-tester/ For people who are more serious or require a higher level of test accuracy, I recommend the Presidium gemstone tester which can identify a wider range of simulants like moissanite. https://beyond4cs.com/go/amazon-presidium/ For more readings about CZ or spotting a fake diamond, check out these links: https://beyond4cs.com/faq/how-to-spot-a-fake-diamond/ https://beyond4cs.com/clarity/how-to-use-a-10x-jewelry-loupe/ https://beyond4cs.com/jewelry-guide/white-sapphire-vs-diamond/ If you want to buy a high quality diamond engagement and not get ripped off, these are 3 places that I highly recommend to check out first: https://beyond4cs.com/reviews/blue-nile/ https://beyond4cs.com/reviews/whiteflash/ https://beyond4cs.com/reviews/james-allen/$

VVS vs VS Diamond Engagement Ring - Side by Side Comparison in Spotlight

Crafted by Infinity Diamond in Temporary Ring Holder (2018)

$White Sapphire vs CZ vs Diamond - Can a Gem Tester Tell Them Apart? For a more detailed read on white sapphire, cz and diamond, go to: https://beyond4cs.com/jewelry-guide/white-sapphire-vs-diamond/ https://beyond4cs.com/faq/how-to-spot-a-fake-diamond/identify-a-moissanite/ White sapphire and cubic zirconia are both common types of diamond simulants found in the jewelry market place. They are used as an alternative to diamonds because of their cheaper prices and ability to be manufactured at scale. With white sapphire, a lab made gemstone will cost around $2 for a carat while a CZ will cost less than $1 for a carat. White sapphires also have a distinct appearance that is slightly milky while CZ will look identical to a diamond to the untrained eye. In terms of sparkle and brilliance, CZ is a better simulant because of its refractive properties and material quality. In terms of getting the best sparkle and scintillation, diamonds are usually in the top tier level. This is because their hardness allows them to be polished with extreme luster and better proportions that are planned beforehand. In this video, we performed a comparison of all 3 types of gemstones and used a diamond tester to check them for their authenticity. A real diamond will cause the diamond tester to sound out in a beeping fashion while a fake diamond simulant will not activate the tester. It is also important to note that while a cheap and affordable testing equipment like this can allow a lay person to identify a diamond, it isnt 100% fail proof. Some gemstones like moissanite will show up as a false positive and you need to perform further tests to confirm the unknown gemstones identity. If you want to buy the diamond tester I used to perform a DIY home-based identification, check out the links below: https://beyond4cs.com/go/amazon-diamond-tester/ https://beyond4cs.com/go/ebay-diamond-tester/ For more serious collectors or professionals in the industry, the Presidium gemstone tester is a better investment of your money. It can be used to identify different types of gemstones with a higher degree of accuracy. https://beyond4cs.com/go/amazon-presidium/ https://beyond4cs.com/go/amazon-presidium/ For more readings, go to: https://beyond4cs.com/best-place-to-buy-engagement-ring/ https://beyond4cs.com/faq/how-to-spot-a-fake-diamond/$

Cushion Cut vs Princess Cut Diamond Review – Side by Side Performance

White Sapphire Vs Diamond - Side by Side Comparison

$6 Prong White Gold Tiffany Style Diamond Ring on Finger (0.616ct H VS2) For more indepth readings into diamond details, go to: https://beyond4cs.com/color/h-diamonds/ https://beyond4cs.com/color/choosing-a-diamond-color/ In this video, we have a spectacular treat for you as we review a super ideal cut hearts and arrows diamond. In a Tiffany style 6 prong diamond engagement ring, a 0.616 carat diamond is mounted on a setting made of 14k white gold. Here are the specifications and details of the AGS certified diamond: SHAPE: Round CARAT WEIGHT: 0.61 COLOR: H CLARITY: VS2 CUT: Ideal POLISH: Ideal SYMMETRY: Ideal FLUORESCENCE: Negligible L/W/D (MM): 5.44*5.46*3.38 L/W RATIO: 1.00 DEPTH %: 61.90 TABLE %: 56.10 CULET: Pointed CERTIFICATE: AGS CROWN ∠: 34.50 CROWN %: 15.10 PAVILION ∠: 40.90 PAVILION %: 43.20 The total costs of the ring cost in at around $3000 and it is a fantastic deal. If you were to buy a similar looking ring from Tiffany or a branded store, it would cost you at least twice as much and you also end up with a diamond with lesser cut quality. This diamond was handpicked for its ideal proportions and cut performance. Its light return and precision were analyzed using the idealscope and hearts patterning images provided by the vendor. Using the same exact proven method I teach on Beyond4cs.com, you can also select a perfectly cut diamond like this. And as you review the video and watch the ring being worn on my finger in different lightings, you will see that the ring is full of sparkle and displays intense fire properties. When the ring is reviewed in spotlight, the diamond facets act like mirrors to reflect and refract light. Can you see the 8 distinct black arrows when the ring is brought upclose? In other lighting conditions like daylight and shaded outdoor environments, the diamond looks really bright and has great scintillation. Now, I want to emphasize that this is only a H near colorless diamond. Yet, it looks extremely white and if a D color diamond was placed beside it, I can tell you that most people would not be able to see differences. In the diffused light environment, it is the most unflattering condition to look at diamonds but yet, the diamond can hold up because of its ideal cut properties. FYI, the finger size is 7 and the engagement ring is worn on a relatively large sized hand. Do you think the 0.6 carat diamond is too small or do you think it is proportionate to the size of the finger? Also, what did you think about the simple look of the diamond ring? Are you a solitaire person or are you someone who prefers more elaborate settings like halo or pave? Finally, what did you think about the diamonds performance and sparkle? Which lighting environment did you enjoy looking at the most? Leave a comment below! I love to hear what our viewers think! For more related guides and insights about buying diamond engagement rings, read these links: https://beyond4cs.com/grading/clarity-characteristics/types-of-inclusions/ https://beyond4cs.com/grading/aset-reference-charts/ https://beyond4cs.com/faq/moissanite-vs-diamond/$