Bling on the finger or sparkling stones in the ear, there’s no doubt that we ladies love glitter and glamour. Diamond jewellery is on top of many wishlists, but we have to be realistic: that is unaffordable for most of us. No need to worry though! There is an alternative sparkling dream that is excellently priced: cubic zirconia. But what exactly is cubic zirconia and how does it differ from a diamond? We tell you all about the cubic zirconia.

What is cubic zirconia?

Cubic zirconia is a colourless, synthetic gemstone. In appearance, cubic zirconia mimics a diamond, as it has the same sparkle and shine. Unlike diamonds, the gemstones are exclusively lab-created and therefore affordable. Cubic zirconia itself is colourless, but with additions, the gemstone can be given colour. The material is hard and flawless compared to other stones, 8.5 on a scale of 10. Therefore, cubic zirconia can take on a knock. Unfortunately, it does not cope well with heat; the imitation stone fogs up, temporarily loses its shine and needs time to conduct the heat away.


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How is cubic zirconia made?

Unlike many other stones, zirconia is a man-made material made of zirconium dioxide and cannot be found in nature. By melting zirconium dioxide with magnesium and calcium -at no less than 5000! degrees- cubic zirconia is created. The stone has to cool down first to be cut in the same shape like a diamond. That gives the cubic zirconia stone the same look and feel as a diamond, but with a much better price tag!

Why is cubic zirconia cheaper than diamonds?

Cubic zirconia is referred to as faux, fake, imitation and stimulant. It looks similar to a diamond to the naked eye, but is a lot more affordable. What causes the price difference? Well, it is mainly due to the origin of the product. Cubic zirconia is lab-made and diamonds are found in nature. Since we humans don’t have much influence on nature, diamond stones are much rarer and therefore more expensive.

Did you know that terms like diamond and brilliant are often used interchangeably? We give you an explanation. Brilliants are diamonds, but then cut according to the brilliant-cut. A brilliant comes with a much higher price tag than cubic zirconia.

Although cubic zirconia is often labelled as fake and cheap or low-cost, that doesn’t imply that a piece of fine jewellery with cubic zirconia is inexpensive. It is inexpensive compared to diamonds though. A 14-carat gold ring, earring, necklace or bracelet with cubic zirconia will easily cost you hundreds of pounds.

Difference between diamonds and cubic zirconia

True connoisseurs immediately spot the difference between a diamond and cubic zirconia, but we? Our naked eyes cannot distinguish between these two stones! However, there are differences between diamonds and cubic zirconia. We’ll explain them below so you can make your best choice when purchasing your new piece of jewellery.

  • Diamonds are found in nature, while cubic zirconia is lab-created. One of the best things about cubic zirconia is that is a sustainable choice of gemstone, considering it’s lab-grown. Cubic zirconia is conflict-free, ethical and sustainable. When it comes to mined diamonds, this is often murky territory.
  • Diamonds are rarer than cubic zirconia and we can not influence on their shapes and sizes. Cubic zirconia is artificially developed and the stone can be tailored to your wishes.
  • Diamonds are more durable than cubic zirconia. Diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring material in the world with a ranking of 10 on the scale of hardness. Cubic zirconia ranks 8 to 8.5. Diamonds don’t easily get scratched or chipped. Only a diamond can damage another diamond. Cubic zirconia is also a hard stone, but is more easily scratched and damaged. Over time, cubic zirconia becomes cloudy and requires regular cleaning and care to maintain its beauty.
  • A diamond has sharper edges than cubic zirconia. Cubic zirconia is not as hard as diamond. When cubic zirconia is polished, the edges become rounder compared to diamonds. The sharp edges of diamonds give more brilliance.
  • Diamonds are very resistant to heat, but cubic zirconia can’t stand heat as well. Even when you take a nice, hot shower with your jewellery on, cubic zirconia will temporarily lose its sparkle. The water and heat damage the stone and it’s best to take off your jewellery when doing water-related activities. Otherwise, the quality of the cubic zirconia will deteriorate.
  • Diamonds come in different clarity grades, from flawless to included. Most diamonds often contain inclusions and even flawless diamonds have tiny inclusions contained within. Cubic zirconia always has excellent clarity and is always flawless.
  • Last but not least: diamonds are way more expensive than cubic zirconia. It is a valuable stone that has prestige and can be seen as an investment. In terms of money value, cubic zirconia is not an investment and not as prestigious. But if you prioritize affordability and sustainability, cubic zirconia is an excellent choice!