Gift Guide
What Is Cubic Zirconia? A Quick Guide
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What cubic zirconia is, how it compares to diamond, and how to care for it, plus ready-to-order North & Pearl CZ pieces to shop.
Material edit
A lab-made stone built to catch the light.
Cubic zirconia is one of the most common stones in everyday fine jewelry, prized for its brightness and its price.
Cubic zirconia, often shortened to CZ, is a lab-created crystal made from zirconium dioxide. It is cut and faceted to resemble a diamond, and it is one of the most widely used diamond simulants in jewelry because it is bright, durable enough for daily wear, and far less expensive than a mined or lab-grown diamond.
This guide explains what cubic zirconia is, how it compares to diamond, and how to keep it looking bright. To shop related pieces, browse rings, earrings, and necklaces.
Quick Answer: What Is Cubic Zirconia?
Cubic zirconia is a lab-created, diamond-like stone made from zirconium dioxide. It is not a diamond and not a natural mineral; it is manufactured specifically to be cut and faceted like one, at a much lower cost.
Cubic zirconia is created in a lab, not found in the ground like a natural gemstone.
CZ resembles diamond visually but is chemically and physically a different material.
Durability and low cost make CZ a common choice for everyday, wearable jewelry.
Color note
CZ isn't limited to clear stones.
Because it is manufactured, cubic zirconia can be produced in many colors, giving designers more flexibility than natural colored gemstones typically allow.
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Key Takeaways
- Cubic zirconia is a lab-created stone made from zirconium dioxide, not a natural mineral.
- It is designed to resemble a diamond visually but is a different material chemically and physically.
- CZ is durable enough for everyday wear and significantly less expensive than diamond.
- Because it's manufactured, CZ is available in many colors and cuts.
- Check the product page for the specific stone and setting details of any piece before ordering.
Cubic Zirconia vs. Diamond
| Cubic Zirconia | Diamond | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Lab-created | Mined or lab-grown |
| Material | Zirconium dioxide | Crystallized carbon |
| Cost | Low | Significantly higher |
| Everyday look | Bright, similar visual sparkle | Bright, with distinct optical properties |
Cubic zirconia and diamond can look similar to the eye at typical jewelry-shopping distance, which is exactly why CZ became such a popular diamond alternative. A jeweler with the right tools can distinguish them, but for everyday fine jewelry, CZ offers a comparable look at a fraction of the price.
How to Care for Cubic Zirconia
Clean It Gently
Wipe cubic zirconia jewelry with a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals, and let the piece air dry before storing it.
Store It Separately
Store CZ pieces separately from other jewelry to avoid scratches, since stones and settings can rub against harder metals in a jewelry box.
Remove It Before Rough Activity
Take CZ jewelry off before swimming, exercising, or cleaning, since prolonged exposure to water, chlorine, and cleaning products can dull the setting over time.
Wondering how CZ compares with costly natural gems? See the rarest and most expensive birthstones for how rarity and demand drive gem prices.
Is Cubic Zirconia a Fake Diamond?
It is a real stone, but it is not a diamond and it is not a lab-grown diamond either. The accurate term is diamond simulant: a different material chosen because it looks like a diamond.
The distinction matters because the three get confused constantly.
| Stone | What It Is |
|---|---|
| Natural diamond | Crystalline carbon formed in the earth |
| Lab-grown diamond | Chemically and physically a diamond, made in a lab. A real diamond. |
| Cubic zirconia | Zirconium dioxide. A real stone, but a different material that resembles diamond. |
| Moissanite | Silicon carbide. Another distinct material, harder than CZ. |
So "fake diamond" is loose shorthand. CZ is not a counterfeit; it is simply a different stone, and a piece sold honestly as CZ is not pretending to be anything.
What Is Cubic Zirconia Made Of?
Cubic zirconia is zirconium dioxide, grown in a laboratory at very high temperatures with a stabilizer added so the crystal holds the cubic structure that gives it its optical qualities. It does not occur in usable form in nature, so effectively all CZ is lab-made.
It is deliberately engineered to be colorless, flawless and brilliant, which is also why very large, perfectly clear CZ stones look slightly too good; natural diamonds of that size and clarity are rare and priced accordingly.
Cubic Zirconia vs Moissanite
| Cubic Zirconia | Moissanite | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Zirconium dioxide | Silicon carbide |
| Hardness (Mohs) | About 8 to 8.5 | About 9.25 |
| Durability over years | Scratches and dulls with daily wear | Holds its surface far longer |
| Sparkle character | Bright white sparkle | More rainbow fire, noticeable in sunlight |
| Cost | Lowest | Considerably more than CZ, well below diamond |
If a piece is meant to last decades of daily wear, moissanite is the better engineering choice. If it is a fashion or gift piece at an accessible price, CZ does the job it is designed for.
The Downsides of Cubic Zirconia
Worth stating plainly rather than skipping, since you will find them out eventually.
- It dulls over time. CZ is softer than diamond and moissanite, so daily wear leaves fine scratches on facet edges and the stone loses sharpness after a few years.
- It has essentially no resale value. CZ is inexpensive to produce, so a piece is worth what the setting is worth and little more. It is not an investment.
- Larger stones read as costume. A very large, perfectly clear stone is a tell, because natural diamonds at that size and clarity are rare.
- It can cloud with residue. This one is reversible; it is a film rather than damage. See our guide to cleaning cubic zirconia.
None of this makes CZ a bad choice. It makes it a particular choice: a bright, affordable stone for pieces meant to be enjoyed and eventually replaced, rather than passed down.
How to Tell CZ From a Diamond
- Weight. CZ is noticeably denser than diamond, so a CZ of the same size feels heavier in the hand.
- Sparkle. CZ throws more colored flashes relative to white brilliance; diamonds show a crisper white sparkle.
- Edges. Under magnification, CZ facet edges soften with wear while diamond edges stay sharp.
- Clarity. A flawless, perfectly colorless large stone at a low price is CZ, not a bargain diamond.
- The stamp. Jewelry often tells you. CZ, CZT or the absence of a diamond weight marking is a strong hint.
The reliable answer is a jeweler with a thermal or electrical conductivity tester. The home methods above are indicative rather than conclusive, and the fog test circulating online is not dependable.
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CZ pieces to shop
Pave Hoop Earrings A classic pave hoop with everyday sparkle. $36.00 View piece Blue Sparkle Cluster Necklace A color-led necklace example; consult the product page for documented details. $44.00 View piece 
Double Row Tennis Bracelet A continuous line of sparkling accents. $48.00 View piece Product pages are the source of truth for the specific stone, setting, and care details of each piece.
FAQ
Is cubic zirconia a fake diamond?
It is a real stone but a different material, correctly called a diamond simulant. It is not a counterfeit and it is not a lab-grown diamond, which is chemically a real diamond. CZ is zirconium dioxide.
What is cubic zirconia made of?
Zirconium dioxide, grown in a laboratory at high temperature with a stabilizer added so the crystal holds its cubic structure. It does not occur in usable form in nature, so effectively all CZ is lab-made.
What is the downside of cubic zirconia?
It is softer than diamond and moissanite, so it scratches and dulls after a few years of daily wear, and it has essentially no resale value. Clouding from surface residue is a separate issue and is reversible with cleaning.
Is cubic zirconia worth anything?
Very little in resale terms. CZ is inexpensive to produce, so a piece is worth roughly what its setting is worth. It is bought to be worn and enjoyed rather than as an investment.
Is cubic zirconia good quality?
It is good at what it is designed for: a bright, affordable stone for jewelry meant to be worn and enjoyed. It is not durable enough to be an heirloom, and judging it against diamond misses the point of the material.
What is the difference between cubic zirconia and moissanite?
Different materials. CZ is zirconium dioxide at about 8 to 8.5 on the Mohs scale; moissanite is silicon carbide at about 9.25, so it resists scratching far better. Moissanite shows more rainbow fire and costs considerably more than CZ.
How can you tell cubic zirconia from a diamond?
CZ is denser so it feels heavier for its size, throws more colored flashes, and its facet edges soften with wear. A large, flawless, perfectly colorless stone at a low price is CZ. A jeweler's conductivity tester is the only conclusive method.
Does cubic zirconia last?
It stays bright for a few years of regular wear, then gradually dulls as fine scratches accumulate on the facets. Taking it off for washing, swimming and the gym extends that noticeably.
Is cubic zirconia a real stone?
It is a real, lab-created crystal, but it is not a diamond and not a natural mineral pulled from the earth.
Can you tell cubic zirconia from a diamond by looking at it?
At typical viewing distance, the two can look similar. A jeweler using specialized tools can identify differences in weight, heat conductivity, and optical properties.
Does cubic zirconia lose its sparkle over time?
With gentle care, cleaning, and proper storage, CZ jewelry can maintain its brightness well. Avoiding harsh chemicals and rough wear helps it stay looking its best.
Is cubic zirconia a good choice for everyday jewelry?
Yes. Its durability and affordability make it a popular choice for pieces meant to be worn often rather than saved for rare occasions.
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Shop RingsFinal Buying Note
Cubic zirconia gives you a bright, diamond-like look at an everyday price. Check each product page for the specific stone and setting details before you buy.
