Clara - Diamond Alternative, Conflict Free Gemstone Engagement Ring, Cubic Zirconia Wedding Ring, FREE SHIP US

Clara - Brilliant 6mm hand set diamond alternative gemstone 100% conflict free made to order, custom made engagement and wedding set. A plain wedding band - is included with this listing. The sculpted bands would have to be ordered separately. The groom's band would also have to be ordered separately.
SHIPPING IS FREE WITHIN THE US.
#719CZR863

Set in the new tarnish resistant Argentium® Silver, Clara will need very little maintenance.

THIS RING is set with a brilliant cut Cubic Zirconia, is  a US finger size 7, which is about average in the United States. Sizing for the set, if needed, usually runs $30.00 - $50.00 and must be paid in advance. Sizing fees are non-refundable.

A US size 7 ring measures 54.3mm or about 2 3/16" in circumference. To determine your ring size if you do not know it consult    http://www.order-of-the-engineer.org/wp-content/uploads/Ringsizer.pdf  

TO ORDER: HIT THE "Request a custom order and have something made just for you." link just under  the photo bar and tell me what you might like.

Clara can, of course, be made with other precious or semi-precious gemstones. Prices will vary.

**Here's the story:
I know a lot of people. That's an understatement - I know a LOT of people!

Young, old and in between. First marriage, second marriage - fourth marriage. What to use for an engagement/wedding ring is a BIG question!

Here is what I tell everyone, including my children - both happily married now.

You can use anything you want for your engagement/wedding ring(s). I will hand carve something for you; use any stones you might want; or no stones at all. I can make something as unique as your relationship. Just let me know what you are thinking. I will do my very best to source from only ethical, reliable and conflict free vendors, as I always do.

It is your marriage - use what you really want. Don't let anybody tell you what that might be.

Clara is my suggestion for folks who want something brilliant with a lot of flash and no worries. I choose these cubic zirconia for their precision and brilliance. Cut in Switzerland, these are the best CZ stones out there.

-100% guaranteed conflict free. No blood Diamonds involved. The silver avoids the issues that arise with some gold sources.
-Easy care silvers - see below
-You don't need to schedule your rings with your insurance agent in most cases. The cost should fall below their threshold of things that need to be scheduled.
-Travel without worry.
-No additional monthly payments to take into account.
-The flawless cubic zirconia stone is easy to care for: Wash with warm water, soapy water. Avoid harsh detergents. Safe for both ultrasonic and steam cleaning.

**Cubic Zirconia Facts:
Cubic Zirconia (CZ) is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2).  It should not be confused with zircon - a natural (also brilliant) gemstone, which is a zirconium silicate (ZrSiO4).

The only other man made stone with more brilliance is Moissanite.

The idea of producing single-crystal cubic zirconia seems to have been born in the minds of scientists seeking a new and versatile material for use in lasers and other optical applications. CZ is also used in headphone technology!

CZ entered the jewelry industry around about 1977.  Since then it has become a favorite of both jewelers and the public.

I can make this set with Moissanite, which is both more brilliant and more expensive than CZ. Or I could use many different natural gemstones as well. 

**The Elephant in The Room:

>Is a CZ a real gemstone?

Yes. It is a man made, grown in a lab gemstone as opposed to an earth mined gemstone. It is cut and polished in the same way as any other gemstone would be.

It is supposed to be the molecular equivalent of an earth mined diamond. The differences are minor and mostly in the refractive index, or so I have been told.  My husband (a scientist), my son (both a scientist and a lawyer), have somewhat of a different opinion about man made lab stones. They say that if the stones are molecular equivalents, the stones can legitimately be called "diamonds" or "sapphires" etc. and are therefore "real".

I say that you should be clear about your source. If the stone is lab made it should be disclosed as lab made. 

The diamond industry, of course, is very adamant  that only earth mined diamonds be called diamonds.

It is really up to you. Does the source matter to you? If you don't mind all the stuff that goes on with the mining of diamonds - buy a diamond. If you DO mind - buy a CZ or a Moissanite.

If you really want an earth mined diamond BUT don't want to contribute to all the misery involved with earth mined diamonds  - buy a CANADIAN MINED DIAMOND. I can arrange that for you.

**Silver Facts:
The newer tarnish resistant silver: Continuum® Silver is designated "1C .950".  Traditional Sterling silver, which tarnishes to a deep blue-black in time, is designated ".925". That means that Continuum® Silver contains a bit more elemental silver than sterling.

Containing more germanium than traditional alloys, this silver is highly tarnish-resistant. Because of its resistance to tarnishing, this new alloy of silver is expected to be safe for your pearls. It is also safe for your gemstones, opal included. It is more expensive than Sterling, but much less expensive than gold.

Even though  Argentium® Silver , Continuum® Silver, or Sterlium Plus® Silver almost never needs much care, I always send along an anti-tarnish tab and a polishing cloth with your order. The tab should be kept with your ring when it is being stored. It will not prevent tarnish but will inhibit it from forming, and will not harm your pearls or your gemstones.

Sterling Silver,  Argentium® Silver ,  Continuum® Silver, and Sterlium Plus® Silver  are all nickel free and lead free and will not irritate you skin.

The different names for this new alloy seem to be a branding thing, much like the use of the name, “Champagne”. Only the wineries located in the Champagne region of France are allowed to call their sparkling wine Champagne. Everybody else must call their wine something else.

**The Stats on this exact ring:
6mm diameter stone. 7mm across setting or a bit more than 1/4".
Slightly more than 3/4 carat - .84carat.
Cut in Switzerland for maximum brilliance.
Dispersion .058-.066 compared to diamond's .044
Luster - adamantine
Specific gravity - 5.6 - 6.0 compared to diamond's 3.52
Mohs scale (hardness) - 8-8.5 compared to diamond's 10
Refractive index - 2.15 - 2.18 compared to diamond's 2.42

6.1g or .22oz combined weight of entire set.

As you might have noticed, I do not use synthetics. I mostly do not find synthetics convincing. I don't like them. These CZs from this one source - I like.

If you want a classic, brilliant and beautiful wedding set which avoids some very thorny issues and is easy to care for, Clara might just be for you.

**Shipping and insurance are quoted for delivery within the United States (free shipping in the United States only). Shipping outside of the United States will require a fee due to additional costs that vary per country. 

I love to ship internationally and have done so many times. Please check the listed countries to see if I can ship to yours.

Sales to non-US buyers may be subject to import/customs charges. It is the purchaser’s responsibility to research any custom fees or other taxes which may be imposed by their country of residence.

Also please refer to the Shop Announcements and policies sections: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LusterWear for additional shipping information.

Remember this is a made to order item. This could be just what you want, or you might want a different setting, a different stone..... Let me know what you are thinking and I will get the information and an estimate for you.

Enjoy!

#719CZR863