About our Jewelry
What is Sterling Silver?
Pure silver, also called fine silver, is relatively soft, very malleable, and can be easily damaged. So pure silver is commonly combined with other metals to produce a more durable product. The most popular of these metal alloys used is copper, which hardens and strengthens silver, thus creating Sterling Silver. Sterling Silver consists of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Here at CZGlamour.com, all of our Sterling Silver jewelry will always have the high quality mark of ".925" stamped on each jewelry item, which indicates the 92.5% silver content. Sterling Silver has become the most affordable of all precious metals, and offers quality craftsmanship that can provide the owner with a lifetime of wear. Its strength and durability have made it not only an affordable choice in jewelry design, but a very popular one as well. The appearance of Sterling Silver offers the wearer an icy white metal and glimmering polished shine that looks breathtakingly beautiful.
About Cubic Zirconia ("CZ")
Cubic Zirconia, which is also known as CZ, synthetic diamonds, diamond simulants, simulated or imitation diamonds, provides an extraordinary alternative to expensive diamond jewelry. CZ is the finest diamond-like simulation available today, which makes it highly sought after in the world of jewelry. It is a man-made synthetic gemstone that so closely resembles natural diamonds, that to the naked eye, the difference cannot be distinguished. Cubic Zirconia is crystalline, flawless, and clear enough to be rated "D" on the diamond scale for color. Though usually colorless, it can also be made in nearly any color. Like other gemstones, cut, size and shape influence how light is refracted and will affect the stone's brilliance. CZ's sparkle brighter than crystal and are harder than most gems, making it extremely durable. Diamonds are the hardest gemstone in the world with a 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Cubic Zirconia is a bit softer, but still considered a hard gemstone with an 8.5 rating. It also weighs about 65% more than a natural diamond. CZ's tend to contain stunning flashes of color mimicking expensive diamonds for clarity and brilliance. If strength, beauty and affordability are on your wish list, these little beauties will more than satisfy!
What is Rhodium Plating?
Because the properties in silver can cause tarnishing, each Sterling Silver jewelry item we sell at CZGlamour.com is Rhodium plated (Metal Finish = Rhodium Plating). Rhodium is a precious metal, a member of the platinum family and happens to be one of the rarest elements on earth. Rhodium plating is used on jewelry to provide a very hard surface that will resist scratches and tarnish, and give a white, reflective appearance which gives our Sterling Silver jewelry a more vibrant, deeper look and makes it shine brighter, richer and more lustrous. Simply stated, a Rhodium plated finish looks so good that many times it leads many people to mistake Rhodium plated silver for white gold or Platinum. Sterling Silver jewelry with Rhodium plating is often called "platinum enhanced sterling silver jewelry". It does not compromise on the quality of your sterling silver jewelry and, in fact, your sterling silver jewelry will stay brighter and more beautiful for many years. When treated properly, Rhodium plated jewelry will never deteriorate and will shimmer and glisten brightly all the time.