“What? A cubic zirconia engagement ring!” Her eyes flashed a little angrily as she looked at the jewel on her finger. That’s what he told her it was. He’d replace it with a real diamond ring in time, he said sheepishly. Then, he changed the topic to the recession.
“Since when did cubic zirconia engagement rings become romantic? The nerve!” She was expecting even just a little diamond on her engagement ring. “Why, of all things, did you get me a white gold cubic zirconia engagement ring?”
“That’s not white gold,” he said. “It’s silver. By the way, the jeweler says that gem is a princess cut.”
She walked out of the room. Then, she suddenly remembered. Mom has a genuine diamond ring that she left on her vanity in her room.
Holding the two sparkling rings side by side, she gasped. They both looked equally dazzling. You can’t tell my princess cut cubic zirconia engagement ring from mom’s diamond ring, she thought. She held them up against the light. Both gems sparkled with inner flashes of stunning color. Both looked valuable. Maybe Mom’s ring is a cubic zirconia, too. She just doesn’t know it.
A week later, walking past a jewelry store, she sees some cubic zirconia engagement ring sets displayed in the shop window. At first, she thought they were diamonds. But the sign said it was a cubic zirconia rings engagement sale. Sale! She walked in.
The jeweler examined her ring. It looks like a diamond, he says. But let me check to make sure. He takes out his jeweler’s magnifying lens.
“Oh, it’s cubic zirconia,” he finally announces. “Even us jewelers can mistake it for a diamond. That’s a fact. A diamond looks like cubic zirconia. A cubic zirconia looks like a diamond. But scientists say, cubic zirconia gems are heavier and have more fire. That’s the colors you see inside a diamond. And inside a cubic zirconia. And you can color a cubic zirconia with the right oxides. Chemistry, you know. But I must be boring you with all these technical details.”
But she was lost in front of one display case, contemplating a silver cubic zirconia engagement ring set that looked similar to her ring. They’re very beautiful, she whispered, awed.
“Oh yes, they are. Here, there are all kinds of cubic zirconia rings. It’s such a versatile crystal. Look at this cubic zirconia solitaire engagement ring. How about this one? It’s gold. And these are just like your ring. They’re silver cubic zirconia engagement rings.” The jeweler was as breathless as she was.
Just then, who should walk in but her boyfriend. He was surprised to find her at the jeweler’s. “What are you doing here?” she half demanded.
“Didn’t I promise I’d get you a real diamond engagement ring in time? I’ve been saving up for a down payment, and my uncle gave me an advance, so I can get you one now.”
“No,” she says. “Please don’t do that. I’m really in love with my cubic zirconia engagement ring. Who needs a diamond?”
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