You will agree with us that you can wear any kind of ring as your engagement ring, as long as it makes you happy and you look your very best in the jewelry in question. But are there rules that you should observe where engagement rings are concerned?
Should you stick with the grain when it comes to what an ideal engagement ring looks like and what it’s made of, even when you may have to save for much more to be able to afford what is considered the gold-standard diamonds?
And most importantly, should you settle for a cubic zirconia engagement ring, a much cheaper but equally meaningful ring, will your ring choice be deemed tacky?
When it comes to engagement rings, diamonds and other high-value stones are often highly regarded and are deemed the ideal standard.
But just because everyone admires it and considers it the ideal doesn’t mean that you should also get a diamond ring just because it is what people like, you may not like it, and that is okay.
A mere CZ engagement ring may be just right for you, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what do people think about the CZ engagement ring?
Are cubic Zirconia engagement rings tacky?
No, Cubic Zirconia (CZ’)/ engagement rings aren’t tacky, and they can be worn as engagement rings with no trouble at all. It is important to note that although the CZ stones aren’t hard, these stones look so much alike.
They are both functional and beautiful, but unlike the diamond engagement ring, the CZ rings are a lot more inexpensive, which is why they are slowly becoming quite popular today.
CZ is also the most common form of simulated diamonds in the jewelry world. It became the most popular type of diamond simulant in the 1980s, and it remained a go-to simulant to date.
So, if you are looking for a good quality, shiny engagement ring that will not break the bank, then an engagement ring made of CZ might be the ideal choice for you. CZ engagement rings deliver great value for much less.
Why do some people think cubic Zirconia engagement rings are tacky?
The whole diamonds and cubic zirconia debate, and the main reason why the CZ engagement rings are not regarded as high-value and that they are tacky is that the stones used for the engagement rings are not as valuable or as expensive.
The two offer great value and look good to the wearers, depending on their budgets, but they are in two leagues – one can be compared to the fastest sportscar and the other to a simple family or Utility car.
So, this is not to say that the utility car is tacky, but to the person who drives it, the car gives them everything they need, and it is just as valuable to them.
Of course, it would be impossible to compare the two’s values or make them feel like they are the same, but the fact is that the CZ is essentially less valuable. However, both stones look very good and boast a big bright sparkle and brightness.
For individuals looking for a nice engagement ring on a budget or just wouldn’t want to spend as much as you would on the Ferrari, the diamond ring, then the utility car, in this case, CZ, will be the most ideal option for you.
The differences in value, as well as the fact that the CZ stone ring will not last as long as the diamond engagement ring, is the main reason why some people would consider the CZ ring to be tacky.
It’s important to keep in mind that the diamonds and cubic zirconia stones are made of completely different materials or elements, and they all have varying properties and price tags, which is they shouldn’t be compared in the traditional sense of the world and also why we don’t consider CZ engagement rings tacky.
Also, remember that not everyone can spend over $3000 on a ring; for these individuals, the $300 ring makes more sense.
However, the qualities of the metals are much the same, and they may have the same clarity and color features.
CZ rings may be seen as tacky, shoddy, or even inelegant because they are not as expensive as diamonds, and also, while CZ is considered a status symbol, CZ is not. Diamonds are worn by A-listers, but CZ diamonds are not.
And also, CZ doesn’t shout ‘I Made It,’ but the diamonds say that, and they are always used to signify the wearer’s status in society. This is generally why the CZ rings may be deemed tacky.
Why do Some people choose cubic Zirconia engagement rings?
Even though others consider the cubic zirconia engagement rings tacky, many others would rather wear the CZ rings as opposed to the diamond rings is because the cubic zirconia engagement rings are quite affordable, and these rings are ideal for anyone shopping for an excellent quality engagement ring that will not break the bank.
This is also true for the individuals who don’t believe that you have to spend thousands on something as simple as an engagement ring.
For such individuals, it is much better to spend money on more valuable items that appreciate, not on CZ rings. For these individuals, they may not be willing to be extravagant with their love or how they love.
Additionally, the quality of CZ stones crafted today is so high, and these stones look just as bright and brilliant as the diamonds.
These manufactured stones look great and pretty much like the finest quality mined diamonds, which means that you don’t really need to spend thousands on the diamond piece when you could spend less on an equally good-looking CZ stone.
You also need to remember that the diamond is not forever, contrary to popular marketing belief by De Beers – while diamonds last a really long time, they don’t retain their value forever and so, you shouldn’t fall for this marketing gimmick.
Also, the real thing that gives a diamond its value today is the fact that the stone is quite rare, not just because of its beauty.
The CZ stones also feature stones cut in the same shape and size, and also in the same clarity level of some of the finest quality diamonds.
And finally, the CZ stones don’t cause as much damage to the environment as the mined diamonds which leave behind landfills and heavily polluted lands that cannot be reclaimed.
While the lab-created or simulated CZ stones require the use of a substantial amount of energy, they don’t create the same level of damage, and why the CZ are recommended by individuals looking for eco-friendly options.
Cubic Zirconia Engagement Rings – Buy or Avoid?
Cubic zirconia engagement rings were first manufactured in the 1930s, and though there are a few mined options, there are more of the synthetic options on the market today, and they are both durable and quite affordable.
But should you buy a ring made of cubic zirconia or not? Well, it depends on your personal taste and your budget.
If you’ve always wanted one of the bigger and very expensive diamond rings, then settling for a cubic zirconia might not work well for you and it will be a huge disappointment because it’s just not a diamond – it looks like it but some of its features make the real diamond stand out more.
If, on the other hand, you are not really concerned with the materials that the stone is really made of, and you just appreciate the sparkly diamond look, then the CZ ring could be an ideal choice for you.
Also, if you settle for the best quality CZ stones, it will look just like the real diamond, and you won’t be able to differentiate these stones from each other. So, we recommend getting a CZ engagement ring, especially if you don’t want to spend thousands on a stone.
Conclusion
Cubic zirconia stones are stunning and the ones made with the best ways and using the best materials and they are a great alternative for the real diamonds, especially if you are shopping on a budget or if you don’t want to spend too much money on an engagement ring.
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Stephanie is a jewelry lover when she was a teenager. Her major was fashion design when she was in college. She is a jewelry designer at SOQ Jewelry and other design companies. Now she is also a writer for our website. She writes a lot of designs&brands posts with very actionable tips.