I love browsing antique and thrift store jewelry. You never know what you’ll find. Sterling silver and vintage costume jewelry are the most typical cheap pieces, however gems and diamonds can sometimes be found. How can you distinguish diamonds from cubic zirconia? Learn how specialists make this distinction in the field. Zirconium dioxide, also known as cubic zirconia (CZ), is a synthetic crystal that can replicate all gemstones and diamonds.

When cut appropriately, these stones reflect light like diamonds, making them hard to distinguish. The breath test may instantly identify CZ stones without equipment. Stones fog up as you breathe on them, like humid home windows on a cold day. CZs stay foggy from breath longer than diamonds, which clear quickly. The line test, which works on loose stones, is also intriguing.

You can’t see a Sharpie line if you lay a diamond topside down on paper. However, a CZ may allow you to view it. Each stone’s delicate nuances are examined with a loupe by experts. This little magnifier is essential for stamps, clasps, and stone cutting. Even a small jewelry collector should have it. This inexpensive tool is incredibly useful.

CZ stones differ from diamonds if you use a loupe to see the details. Diamond testers are used by jewelers and appraisers. These tiny thermal conductivity testers can instantly test stones. If you don’t have one, you can use some of these casual tests. See other methods in the video below.