Q&A - Buying CZ

When buying wholesale for your jewelry store, check out the quality of the loose cubic zirconia stones you are buying before paying. Be sure you are getting what you pay for and the quality that will please your customers. Whether ordering loose cubic zirconia (or lab created gems), simulated stones, or synthetic gems, choose only those items that will give lasting enjoyment. If you're trying to determine if the stone you have is quality cubic zirconia, here are some ways to tell.

Step 1 Look at the color
Loose cubic zirconia stones are generally colorless, but many shades of colors can be added using trace elements during the manufacturing process.

Step 2 Check the clarity
Clarity, or clearness, of loose cubic zirconia is a quality factor. The manufacturing process can sometimes cloud a stone, making visible imperfections. Just as with genuine diamonds, the clearer the stone is, the greater the value.

Step 3 Check the cut
Cut is very important in determining the quality for loose cubic zirconia stones. Just as with diamonds, the cut reveals the stone's beauty through every facet. The facets must be even and precise to create just the right appearance. As with diamonds, the skill of the stone cutter makes all the difference because stone cutters do much more than cut. They analyze the stone carefully to determine how much of the stone should be cut off to give proper clarity. Then, they take many steps to perfect their cut without taking away from the stone.

• The Brilliant cut is the standard
• There are other popular cuts such as the Trillion, Princess, and Radiant cuts.
• There are also a variety of shapes to give each stone its own unique personality.