Cubic Zirconia, that sparkling stone that could pass off as a diamond, is rarely found naturally. Most of what you see is man-made.

The beauty of cubic zirconia is this.

Have you ever longed for that gorgeous necklace dripping with diamonds, knowing very well you can never afford anything like it?

Have you stared at those gorgeous jewels stars wear as they strut down the red carpet, with bodyguards trailing them, protecting the diamonds they wear?

How would you like to wear jewelry like that? Necklaces dripping with dazzling stones? Earrings that sparkle with large fiery rocks, and still have lunch money.

That's the promise cubic zirconia brings. And it is a very tempting one.

The truth is, diamonds cost far more than cubic zirconia or any other stone because of the inherent resale value of diamonds. You hear of people investing in diamonds and locking them in safes, but you don't hear of people locking up cubic zirconia gemstones in safes. Diamonds are also valued for their preciousness. You give your fiance a diamond engagement ring. If you slip a cubic zirconia ring and pass that off as a diamond, when she finds out, you had better find somewhere safe to hide... preferably on another planet.

That said cubic zirconia is a fashionistica's dream come true. Unlike tacky paste jewelry, this feels like the real thing. It is harder than most gemstones (8.5 on the Mohs scale) which makes it hardy enough for the daily wear and tear that jewelry undergoes. It has a more prismatic fire than diamond, though it has a lower refractive index than the real thing. Still, it looks close enough to the real thing to wow the crowd.