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+--- Thread: What is Cubic Zirconia? (/thread-406.html)
What is Cubic Zirconia? - coupleslv - 03-29-2026
Recall the time when you were a teenager and went shopping with friends. It's likely that you passed by a jewelry store with racks full of colorless and sparkling crystal earrings. You could tell by the price that they weren't diamonds. Why did they appear so similar to the real thing, though? How did they manage to be so affordable?
This artificial stone may seem unfamiliar because its name is so scientific. Some people may not be aware of the fact that they have been wearing cubic zirconia for years.
You have come to the right spot if your goal is to find out more about a beautiful, yet affordable stone. Let's dive deep into the details of cubic zirconia, its price, and durability to answer your questions. Continue reading for a few gemology tips and to see a bit more sparkle.
Cubic Zirconia is a diamond lookalike that costs a fraction of the price
What exactly is cubic Zirconia? The cubic zirconia used in the production of lab-grown gems is different from mined gemstones. They are similar to each other and almost all made of carbon.
In the 1970s Russian researchers discovered how cubic zirconia could be grown in laboratories. In only a few decades, manufacturers began making their own diamond-like cubic zirconia, which they marketed as an affordable alternative to expensive mined gems.
You might wonder just how expensive genuine diamonds are. Answer: They are a lot more costly. Check out the difference in prices.
A carat of diamonds can be worth up to $5,000.
On the other hand one carat cubic zirconia is usually less than 30 dollars per carat.
This is a big discount!
Although this price difference can be tempting, buyers are advised to consider the pros and cons of cubic zirconia. When investing in a jewelry piece, you should consider other factors that go beyond the cost.
Appearance
Durability
Resale value
We'll go over each individual point one at a time.
Appearance
What's the difference between diamonds and cubic zirconia exactly? As previously mentioned, cubic zirconia can look very similar in appearance to both mined and lab-grown stones. In fact, the untrained eyes may not even be able distinguish the two. It is also colorless. This may appeal more to buyers looking for a traditional style, who don't want the trendy colors of amethyst and rubies.
The cubic zirconia however, is less brilliant than diamond simulants such as moissanite. Cubic Zirconia has an extremely low refractive indices. When light is passed through this gemstone, it is not reflected much. This means that the stone has less "brilliance." For some customers, who prefer a sparkling gemstone, it may be an issue.
The cubic zirconia structure, however, allows for a significant separation of colors. This stone is criticized by those who claim that the color of the stone is too bright. Others may find it quite beautiful.
Durability
It's true that cubic zirconia is not as hard as other options, but it won't break into pieces when you accidentally hit your ring on a flat surface. Moissanite wins again with a Mohs score of 9.25 versus cubic zirconia’s 8 to 8.5.
Is this important? Well, perhaps.
Cubic Zirconia is prone to scratching, especially when worn every day on the hand. It can also turn cloudy with time or yellow. It's easy to find and inexpensive, so this may not bother some users. Cubic Zirconia Stones can be replaced easily, and at a lower cost than other gemstones.
Resale Value
Most jewelers will tell their clients that they should consider purchasing rings, necklaces or bracelets which will maintain value over time. Some of the factors that are taken into consideration include:
The piece's age (or vintage)
The material (such a gold versus silver).
The brand
If you want to buy a piece of jewelry that will be worn by you or your loved one for years and possibly passed down from generation to generation, you may not give it much thought. It's smart to consider materials and stones which have a higher resale rate when you're purchasing jewelry that has less emotional significance.
Cubic zirconia is not a resale item with a high value. This is due to the fact that it's easily accessible and has shorter lifespan than many other options.
It is possible to extract value from a stone ring depending on its quality. It's better to look for another material if your goal is to find a product that can retain its value, or even increase it.
Diamond Alternatives - A Closer View
As you are aware, cubic zirconia comes under the diamond alternatives. However, "diamond options" itself has a variety of meanings.
Manmade diamonds
Diamonds simulants such as Couplesets alternative
Synthetic white Sapphires
Costume jewelry simulants
Let's put the record straight. A real diamond that is pure carbon can also be considered to be manmade. Diamond alternatives that are not carbon can also qualify as manmade.