Man-made diamond simulant - Pros & Cons

Man-made diamond simulant - Pros & Cons .Discussing the pros and cons of "Cubic Zirzonia" also known as "CZ". Please leave some comments. We would love to hear your thoughts about the worlds most common man-made gem.
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[@rogerhargreaves2272]

Beautiful cut Cliff. The colour & clarity is already there in the rough, the value comes in the cut. A well designed & cut CZ is a beautiful stone.

[@VintageTimeGems]

I agree. I well cut piece of CZ in a setting will get more attention than most natural gems especially if the design is incredible.

[@johncarruthers5552]

What a beautifully cut gem. It looks fantastic. Who wouldn't treasure one of these.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks

[@kathylecluyse7820]

If it's cut as a gem it most certainly is a gem, in my opinion. Both the zircon and the cubic zirconia you showed are lovely gems, your wife is one lucky lady!

[@ceylongemstudio2050]

Hello cliff , I am sameera from Sri Lanka. I am also gem cutter and I have seen some of your videos. I am using IMHASHI gem cutting mechine. I am very happy about your videos

[@ManuelGarcia-ww7gj]

Essentially the material matters but little. What is of overwhelming importance is the care and precision of your labor. With this standard, even glass can be made into a gem.

[@johnh8615]

To know a gem is cut near perfect is the value. Then the gem comes after the cutter does his master works. Like a painting or wine is what makes good quality.

[@VintageTimeGems]

I agree. A poorly cut piece of expensive natural gem is horrible. Makes no sense that so many commercial gem cutters are destroying rough gem material.

[@beckycastillo1411]

You do a fantastic job on this gems. They are beautiful.🤩

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you...

[@beckycastillo1411]

@@VintageTimeGems You're welcome. 🙂

[@alonsocarvalho5996]

Grato pelas dicas. Fico muito feliz quando recebo seus vídeos.

[@pkgoldopalhunting]

good info

[@user-dn5ui6kw4s]

This was an excellent video, CS has a place I believe. Crystal CZ is another term and product referred to on the net. Seems to be a much softer material. Interested in your thoughts. Your videos are great, and I have learnt a lot. Thanks for everything.

[@dcallan812]

Fantastic video, I learned a few things today. I had no idea you could buy CZ by the block. I have seen and bought a few rejected "glass" and boule material from the scientific field. Personally you can call whatever you want a gem...... BUT here in the UK you can not sell any material by the carat if its not natural. Even pearls, ammonite, amber, doublet-triplet opals, desert glass the list goes on can NOT be sold by the carat

[@HgAuDevice47]

I use CZ to practice pave settings, as I can't afford loads of diamonds. I think even if you have high-end jewelry you should have a copy made of CZ for wearing. The thought of telling strangers that your $30,000 ring is real is just an insane idea to me. Specialty cut stones will always have value in my opinion.

[@VintageTimeGems]

In LA the elites don't even wear their expensive jewelry and watches in public due to it getting stolen on the street. Gems are typically made to be worn. This makes Man-made gems a great option.

[@jadeplayz586]

would also love to see the pros and cons of cutting quartz, I just recently bought a good amount of rough amethyst

[@STEVE_C_1369]

Amethyst (quartz) is only a 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness.It barely makes the grade of gem classification in that it doesnt stand up to wear abd tear of daily life like others like conundrums and beryls which are much harder.they can be scratched and even turn foggy.Amethyst and citrine also are sometimes seen to lose their color to an unacceptable degree. Ive been collecting gems and mineral crystals since 1987,and have over 600 pieces/specimens including gem cut and natural crystals if asterated sapphires,rubies,..emeralds and my prizes,chrysoberyl catseye (capable when cut) crystal and cabochon ...among other specimens. So,Im not here offering unfounded,false info. Hope this info helps. OH..one last thing about opal,which is hydrated form silica,which is in the same class as quartz.If allowed to dry over time,they can simply crack and fall from a jewelry setting .They need to be rehydrated.People need so see a well known jeweler or gemologist for tips on preservation. Hope this helps.

[@johnh8615]

@@STEVE_C_1369only volcanic opal is water sensitive. Ethiopian Brazilian and others around the world are volcanic and are water absorbing. So if it dries too much it will crack. Nearly all Australian opal is sedimentary and is equivalent to quartz. It has silica set like glass but unlike glass it won’t move like a veryyyy slow fluid. Australia sedimentary opal is stable because it has its microscopic silica beads set really close and prevents water travelling through the stone. Ethiopian and rest of the worlds volcanic opal has its silica spheres set a lot further apart hence why water and cracks being able to move between them. Thou Justin from Black Opal Direct explained there is one type of Australian opal that will crack and if you see all his examples he cut they have a green potch matrix that’s unstable waterproof but will crack months after finishing the gem. He won’t sell these to any customer because of this factor.

[@STEVE_C_1369]

@@johnh8615 Ah..thanks for the info.I am far from knowing it all,LOL and appreciate any corrections.Its called learning.Thanks again. I have a few opal specimens and some black opals.But they arent really among my favs,so I never really did much studying on them. Much appreciated.

[@makumegane9628]

Good day, Is it possible to polish after 3000 grid on battlab + polycrystalin 60,000 or do you need to drive diamond powder into the wheel? Thx

[@VintageTimeGems]

@@STEVE_C_1369 Probably more cons than pros when it comes to quartz.

[@spidersinspace1099]

Very nice, thank you.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks

[@TonysGemDesignswithGCS]

Great video as usual. Some colors are sort after as the real stones are almost impossible to get, like Tanzanite. I have sold cut CZ, but they were special cuts, designs of mine. Must give you a call, I need a hunk of bronze CZ. And not far from you ATM.

[@canadiangemstones7636]

You find tanzanite almost impossible to get???

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks. I'm assuming bronze CZ is a darker yellow? I don't have a smokey quartz coloured CZ. It's rare, but it actually looks like bronze. I don't have a large saw to cut CZ so I go to the gem club. Most weekends I'm on the motor bike, but if you're in Shepp at the next workshop I may drop in.

[@TonysGemDesignswithGCS]

@@canadiangemstones7636Good color for affordable prices

[@TonysGemDesignswithGCS]

@@VintageTimeGemsWant to do another of the Rising Sun one - that color. Eventually. Not urgent.

[@Jackaroo.]

Pros: They cost almost nothing Cons: They are worth nothing

[@SnowTiger45]

A few years ago I would have agreed with you 100% but over the last couple years, the price of facet rough and ultimately for faceted stones has increased significantly. Rough stones have gone up 20-25% just since Covid. Even the price of Lab-Made gem rough has sky-rocketed. Gem quality minerals are becoming harder and harder to find and this too is going to drive the price up even more. As such, some people are just looking for something that "looks pretty". As much as everyone wants something of true value, it's the thought that counts with gifts and people are happy knowing what they are wearing "looks" beautiful. I believe as sources of natural gem materials become even more rare requiring mines to go much deeper or to close altogether, the "value" of Lab-Made gem material is going to go up. I have sold quite a few Lab-Made Gemstones simply because they look beautiful and people can afford them. They know they are well cut and some buy just because they know or have met the person who created it. That novelty alone has been the reason I've been able to sell some lab-made, cut gems. One more thing. I have cut and sold a few Lab-Made Rubies/Sapphires (Corundum) that most faceters end up cutting sooner rather than later. Those materials are Genuine in every way except for the way they were created. They weren't grown in Nature but they are still Rubies and Sapphires and they are much less expensive. So there is a market. The value is far more than "Nothing" ! 😉

[@VintageTimeGems]

@@SnowTiger45 I agree with every word you have said. I find the reputable gem dealers are selling all the oddball shapes in expensive gems. So hard to find a nice rough sapphire that will facet a 6-7mm SRB. All the dealers are cherry picking the good shapes and selling the leftovers. The price of there leftovers is WAY TOO EXPENSIVE. There are so many recreational gem cutters people will pay anything. Not me!

[@qnutnutterson5350]

well said

[@MostlyIC]

great admirer of your work and your video making :-) !!! Would also like to hear your opinions on how (synthetic) sapphire compares to (synthetic) zirconia, especially w.r.t. gem cutting, and w.r.t. hardness, in other words why ever choose zirconia over alumina ? as far as "is CZ a gem?", its a trick question, if you are a gem investor you believe the "natural and rare, and the four Cs" line of reasoning, if you want to wear jewelry with a gemstone in it it really doesn't matter what that gem is made of or whether it is natural or synthetic. Its like gold jewelry, if its gold plated it isn't an investment but it is jewelry (and has the distinct advantage that if you loose it or it is stolen you haven't really lost much).

[@VintageTimeGems]

Probably wouldn't make a great investment gem. Then again most diamonds and sapphires are not a great investment unless they are huge.

[@masonbrowne6796]

Tiler cutter from bunnings $140ish get a couple smaller blades so you can get faster cuts and maybe a 7inch thin diamond blade for thinner cuts works mint for me horrible reviews online but works fine have had it for awhile now dont use the guard either can cut much larger stones if you dont 🤙🏽

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks...That's a good tip.

[@pauldodge1071]

I guess the simple way of looking at it is, are you after a gem because it looks good or because it's valuable? I love cutting CZ it costs little and looks great. I also think of the cost of mining natural gemstones for the enviroment.

[@VintageTimeGems]

I agree...The environment will be the big issue in years to come with mining gems.

[@juanmorse50]

This Gem is beautiful. How does CZ stand up again Lab Grown Gems or is it all the same?

[@TempusSolum]

I think of CZ as a gemstone. It does all the things we look for in a cut gem and it's low cost can actually be a part of the appeal for someone who wants the look of high end without the price tag. For a cutter, practicing with a gem so low cost, coupled with the promise of a beautiful result, can only be inspiring for an artist. If you are only in it for the money, are you really an artist??

[@VintageTimeGems]

I think in years to more synth gems will be recognized as gems due to the depletion of earth mined gems. CZ can take a lot heat also which is a bonus for silver and gold clay.

[@zackzimmer7167]

CZ is not a gemstone. It is a MANMADE MINERAL from zircon. Zircon is a gemstone…

[@TyOtis]

Do you cut gems for locals? I’m in Vic and have prospected a mix of citrine and topaz, from clear to yellow, and am hoping to get a few faceted by a local artist. If you’re interested in some commission jobs, how wld I get in contact with you? Cheers Ty

[@VintageTimeGems]

Hi there, I only cut gems for a hobby and for my wife. I don't do consignments. Cheers.

[@stephenborgelt998]

Hey cliff, I live in North West Victoria do you of there any kind of gemstones in my area? Even agates is be happy with! Hahah

[@zackzimmer7167]

Cz doesn’t even look close to diamond.

[@dragosnanu5085]

It looks better than regular diamonds.

[@VintageTimeGems]

It's simulant....