Cubic Zirconia Jewelry Guide: What CZ Is and Why We Set It in Gold

Cubic zirconia (CZ) is a lab-made crystal of zirconium dioxide that is cut to look bright, clear and sparkly. It is not a diamond and not a natural gemstone, but it is a durable, affordable stone that many people choose on purpose for everyday jewelry.

Most of our pieces are set with CZ, and we say so plainly in every listing. This guide covers what CZ is, how to judge quality, how it wears, and why the setting and metal around it matter as much as the stone itself.

What cubic zirconia is

CZ is grown in a laboratory by melting zirconium oxide powder with stabilizers at very high temperatures and letting it cool into crystals. Those crystals are then cut and polished like gemstones. Because it is made under controlled conditions, CZ can be produced colorless and very clear, or in colors such as pink, green, red and blue.

A few plain facts:

• CZ is a synthetic material. It is only a "fake diamond" if a seller describes it as a diamond, which an honest seller never does.
• CZ has a strong, fiery sparkle, often showing more colored flashes than a diamond.
• CZ is softer than diamond and can wear over many years, mainly on the facet edges.
• Colored CZ is made to resemble stones like emerald or ruby, but it is still CZ.

If you want a full side-by-side comparison of hardness, sparkle and value, read diamond vs cubic zirconia.

How to judge CZ quality

Not all CZ is the same. Good CZ is well cut and well set, while cheap CZ can look glassy or cloudy quickly. Look for:

• Cut. Crisp, even facets give a lively sparkle. Poor cutting looks flat or dull.
• Clarity. Good stones look clean to the eye, with no visible bubbles or cloudiness.
• Color. Colorless CZ should look white, not grayish or yellow.
• Setting. Stones should sit level and secure, with prongs or bezels that hold them firmly.

Setting style changes how CZ looks and wears. Pave settings use many small stones for an all-over sparkle. Halo settings surround a center stone with smaller ones. Bezel settings wrap the stone in a rim of gold, which protects it best. Four-prong solitaires show the most of the stone and let in the most light.

14K Solid Gold Solitaire Ring View Solitaire Ring on Etsy 14K Solid Gold Emerald Cut Solitaire Pendant Necklace View Emerald Cut Solitaire Pendant Necklace on Etsy 14K Solid Gold Halo Pendant Necklace View Halo Pendant Necklace on Etsy

CZ in solid gold vs CZ in costume jewelry

The stone is only part of the story. Where CZ is set changes how long a piece lasts.

Setting CZ in solid gold gives you a piece that keeps its value as metal and can be maintained. If a stone ever wears or comes loose, a goldsmith can replace it, and the gold piece carries on. That is why we set CZ in solid 14K gold stamped 585, never in plated metal. Read more in is 14K solid gold worth it.

How we disclose CZ

We believe the stone should be named in plain words. Our rules are simple:

1. If a piece has cubic zirconia, the listing says "CZ" or "cubic zirconia".
2. We never call CZ a diamond, and we never use vague phrases to suggest it.
3. Colored CZ is described as colored CZ, not as the gemstone it resembles.
4. Natural stones, such as natural amethyst or blue topaz, are named as natural. You can find them in our natural stone collection.
5. "Diamond-cut" in a title means faceted gold, not stones. See what diamond-cut gold means.

If you are ever unsure what is set in one of our pieces, message us and we will tell you exactly. It is also worth asking any shop this question, as we explain in how to buy gold jewelry online.

CZ vs natural stones: which should you choose?

Choose CZ if you want bright, clear sparkle for daily wear, a larger look without a large budget, or a piece you will not worry about. Choose a natural stone if the stone itself matters to you, for example a birthstone, or if you like the small variations that make each natural stone unique. Both deserve a solid gold setting if you plan to wear them often.

Where CZ works best

Everyday rings and wedding-style bands

CZ lets you wear a sparkling band every day without worrying about an expensive stone. Half eternity and stacking bands are popular choices. See our eternity ring guide for styles.

Earrings

Earrings take few knocks, so CZ there stays bright for a long time. Huggies with baguette and pear stones are an easy way to add sparkle close to the face.

Pendants

Halo and solitaire pendants show off a single CZ well and sit away from the bumps that rings take.

14K Solid Gold Half Eternity Ring View Half Eternity Ring on Etsy 14K Solid Gold Huggie Hoop Earrings with Baguette and Pear Cut Stones View Huggie Hoop Earrings with Baguette and Pear Cut Stones on Etsy

How to care for CZ jewelry

• Clean often. Lotion and skin oils make CZ look cloudy. Warm water, mild dish soap and a soft brush restore the sparkle. Our guide on cleaning gold jewelry at home has the steps.
• Avoid hard knocks. Take rings off for gym work, gardening and heavy lifting.
• Store pieces apart. Harder materials can scratch CZ, and CZ can scratch gold.
• Check settings. Every few months, look for loose prongs. A goldsmith can tighten them.
• Skip harsh chemicals. Chlorine and strong cleaners are hard on gold alloys and settings.

Browse our rings to see how CZ looks in different settings.

Frequently asked questions

Is cubic zirconia a real stone?

CZ is a real crystal, but it is made in a laboratory rather than mined. It is not a diamond and not a natural gemstone.

Does CZ get cloudy?

CZ often looks cloudy because of lotion and skin oil on its surface, and a wash restores it. Over many years, facet edges can wear slightly, especially on rings.

Is CZ in solid gold worth it?

For many people, yes. The gold keeps its color and value, and the setting can be repaired or the stone replaced, unlike most costume jewelry.

Can I shower with CZ jewelry?

Solid gold with CZ can handle water, but soap film dulls the stones. See our guide on whether you can shower with 14K gold for details.

How do I know if a listing uses CZ?

An honest listing names the stone. Ours say CZ or cubic zirconia in the title or description, and we never call CZ a diamond.