In my opinion, cubic Zirconia is just as beautiful as diamonds, and costs so much less as well. No one would ever know the difference if you were wearing a Cubic Zirconia instead of a diamond, unless they were a jeweler and examined it. Many people are on a tight budget with the economy being down, so a cubic Zirconia might be a good choice. I've looked online and have seen large, brilliant cubic Zirconia rings for under $100.00. There are even different colored cubic Zirconia gems that look like other semi-precious gemstones. From the blue of a sapphire to the purple of an amethyst, any color you could imagine is out there. Of course, the prices of those are less than the real gemstones also, and they're just as brilliant. Cubic Zirconias can be a great gift, and are made into pendants, rings, bracelets and earrings. I love that Cubic Zirconias are usually made into sterling silver or gold, not cheap metals, so they last a long time and don't discolor your skin when you wear them.