What’s the Difference: Diamonds vs Cubic Zirconia
When it comes to fine jewelry, no other gemstone comes quite close to the diamond. Popular, everlasting, and instantly recognizable, diamonds have captured hearts all over the world.
With their popularity, the jewelry industry has given birth to a class of gemstones known as diamond simulants.
As the name suggests, these stones are ones that mimic the look and brilliance of a diamond, while being chemically, physically, and optically different, unlike lab created diamonds.
One of the most popular diamond simulants is Cubic Zirconia. Designed to imitate a diamond’s sparkle, cubic zirconia offers a similar appearance at a fraction of the price. That being said, while it may look convincing from afar, it differs greatly in composition, quality, and especially longevity.
Like with our article on Diamonds vs. Moissanite, in this article, we’ll be exploring how diamonds compare to cubic zirconia—what sets them apart in terms of composition, sparkle, durability, and value
What Is Cubic Zirconia?
Cubic zirconia is a synthetic, man-made gemstone that’s made from zirconium dioxide. It was first created commercially for jewelry use in the late 1970s as an affordable alternative to natural diamonds.
It’s pretty inexpensive to make and easy to mass-produce. This makes it a great choice for more inexpensive pieces, like fashion jewelry, temporary engagement rings, or pieces meant for occasional wear.
Within the jewelry industry, it’s often also known as “CZ” for short.
Diamonds vs Cubic Zirconia: Key Differences
Composition & Origins
Diamonds are made of pure carbon. They’re formed through a natural process that takes millions of years deep within the Earth’s crust.
You may recall that graphite is also entirely made up of carbon. What makes it different from diamonds is the atomic structure. The carbon atoms of a diamond are organized within a 3D crystal lattice. It’s this formation that gives unmatched hardness and durability.
Cubic zirconia, by contrast, is made from zirconium dioxide in a lab. It’s mass-produced and designed to mimic the look of a diamond. Cubic zirconia is denser than diamonds. It also has a lower rating on the Moh’s scale (8 vs 10), and also has a lower refractive index (1.18 vs 2.42).
Visual Appeal
The sparkle of a diamond can be described as subtle and balanced. It’s a perfect mix of white light and subtle flashes of color (fire). The result is a shine that feels natural, but at the same time lively.
Cubic zirconia’s sparkle looks similar to this, but differs because of its composition and refractive index.
Diamonds have a higher refractive index than cubic zirconia, which gives them a stronger degree of brilliance. By comparison, cubic zirconia’s sparkle can be more colorful, often showing pronounced rainbow-like flashes when light hits it.
In addition to this difference in light performance, cubic zirconias are often completely flawless and icy white, with no inclusions or color variations.
Natural diamonds, on the other hand, typically have tiny internal features and slight color hues that come from the conditions present during their formation process. That gives each stone its unique character (like a fingerprint).
Cubic zirconia’s combination of intense fire and its flawless appearance is described by some as “artificial” looking.
Hardness and Durability
Diamonds are the hardest known natural material, ranking 10 on the Mohs scale. They are super resistant to scratches, chips, and the nicks and bumps that come with everyday wear.
Cubic zirconia ranks around 8 to 8.5, which means it’s still fairly hard but not as durable. It can scratch, chip, and get scuffed up over time, leading to a cloudy look.
One of the reasons why diamonds have become the go-to stone for engagement rings and pieces is because of their superior durability – they can stand the test of time.
Price & Value
Cubic zirconia is relatively cheap and very easy to replace. It’s this affordability that makes it a great option for pieces that are meant to be worn for fun or to test out a new look.
Beyond this, though, because they can be easily created, cubic zirconia doesn’t hold any inherent value like diamonds do.
Because natural diamonds are limited in nature and mined from the earth, they do hold
In contrast to this, because natural diamonds are limited in nature and mined from the earth, they do hold lasting worth. They’re also durable enough to be passed down for generations, which is why they’re chosen for milestone pieces like engagement rings or heirloom pieces.
A Note on Lab-Grown Diamonds: A Better Alternative for CZ Shoppers
With lab-grown diamonds becoming more common, their prices have come down a lot from where they used to be.
Because of that, many people who once looked at CZ as the affordable option are now considering lab-grown diamonds instead.
Lab-created diamonds are the same as mined diamonds in how they look, how they’re made, and how they hold up over time—they’re real diamonds, just at a more affordable price.
If you want the look, strength, and long-term wear of a real diamond but were leaning toward CZ for budget reasons, lab-grown diamonds are a great alternative. You get real diamond sparkle and durability without the drawbacks that come with cubic zirconia.
Which Stone Should You Choose?
When it comes to choosing between diamonds and CZ, It really depends on what you’re looking for.
If you want something affordable that you wouldn’t mind wearing casually for short-term wear, cubic zirconia is a good option.
If you’re after a piece that will last for years and carry personal or sentimental meaning, diamonds would be the best choice. If budgets are limited, a lab-grown diamond could potentially be a good choice.
This all being said, know that with cubic zirconia, you’re not getting something that looks exactly like a diamond, but rather something that looks similar.
At Takohl Custom Jewelry, we help clients understand these differences so they can choose what fits them best.
We’ve been helping clients source and set gemstones on custom, one-of-a-kind pieces for over 30 years. Whether you’re exploring natural diamonds or any other kind of gemstone, we will help guide you along your jewelry journey every step of the way.
Come visit us at our showroom in the West Loop and see why we’ve become Chicago’s preferred custom jewelers.