Cubic Zirconia Charms

A research associate (RA) might want to guard against purchase of a cubic zirconia ring. That fact would most certainly be true, if the following were also true:  The RA worked with cultured cells, and the RA worked in a lab with a minimum of cell culture equipment. Those two conditions were satisfied in late 2002, when one RA in California needed to open a vial of frozen cells. She did not have a diamond glass cutter. She did have what looked like diamond jewelry. Fortunately, it was not a cubic zirconia ring. Her chosen jewelry had a diamond that could indeed cut glass.A ring-bearing hand does not stay in one place. The ring bearer moves the hand about. That movement allows any gemstone on the ring to flash before the eyes of others. If the gemstone is on a cubic zirconia ring, then it displays an unquestionable fire and brilliance. A jewelry thief might even mistake that gem for a real diamond.

That fact gives rise to speculation about the usefulness of the cubic zirconia ring for law enforcement officials, officials who hope to capture the members of a jewelry-robbing gang.  Could a cubic zirconia ring be used as a lure? Would the jewel thief be apt to have the time and equipment that would allow him or her to discount the genuineness of the diamond-like gem? For the answer to any of the above questions, one might want to examine the details about the latest big-time diamond heist.

The most recent seizure of a valuable diamond took place on February 16th of the year 2003. The thieves stole the gem from a safe in Antwerp. The thieves left evidence that it was an “inside job.”  Investigators could find no indication that the thieves had tampered with any locks. The thieves also revealed their intended way to profit from that diamond heist. The thieves stole more than the diamond.

In addition to the diamond the thieves stole the records of the gem’s authenticity. That fact indicated that the thieves planned to sell the diamond. Such a sale is easier, if the seller can prove a gem’s authenticity. The thieves seemed to really “know the ropes.” Would thieves like that be fooled by a cubic zirconia ring?

Judging from the information provided above, one would have doubts about the ability of a cubic zirconia ring to lure a jewelry thief to the scene of an expected crime. Yet another item found at the Antwerp crime site suggests that even a knowing thief might be tricked to into stealing a fake diamond. Those Antwerp thieves left a half-eaten sandwich at the crime scene. The DNA on that sandwich led investigators to one member of the “gang.”

Using modern-day technology, law enforcement might obtain some authentic-looking papers to use as replacement s for a gem’s true records. Perhaps a tell-tale symbol could be hidden on those authentic-looking papers. Certain bills now have hidden symbols that can help with the identification of counterfeit bills.

Maybe officials would choose to use a white gold cubic zirconia ring in a sting operation. The jewel thieves would hear about the “easy access to that ring, and that would be the “bait.”  Law enforcement could tell jewelers to be on the lookout for the cubic zirconia ring and its fake papers. Jewelers would be happy to help out; they would want to be on the lookout for that fake diamond.

If part of a crime-fighting success the cubic zirconia might become a more valued gem.