Cubic Zirconia Hardness, Scale, Durability, and Care

Cubic Zirconia, an artificial gemstone resembling a natural diamond, is an exceptional alternative with unique benefits. It is not mined from nature but artificially created through a carefully controlled manufacturing process. This synthetic gem has emerged as a dazzling presence in sustainable, ethical, and consumer-friendly jewelry. Although not as hard as a natural diamond, Cubic Zirconia still offers impressive durability, charm, luster, and hardness. Known for its perfect cut, unparalleled clarity, and exceptional finesse, this artificial gemstone exudes authenticity and a diamond-like appearance. While it may have originated in nature, most CZ in circulation today is synthetic, colorless, and flawless. Its irresistible beauty and remarkable strength make it a top contender in fine jewelry and gemstones.

Cubic Zirconia's Place in Fashion and Jewelry

Firmly established at the top of the fashion and jewelry industry, Cubic Zirconia has become a staple for jewelry enthusiasts seeking affordability and effectiveness. This alluring diamond alternative has earned prominence in the jewelry world due to its lucrative nature. However, it’s essential to understand the properties of Cubic Zirconia before making any purchase. At Chic Jewelry in Los Angeles, USA, we have proudly crafted premium, AAA-certified Cubic Zirconia products for over 35 years. Specializing in engagement and custom rings, we bring three generations of expert craftsmanship to each piece. This blog serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the hardness, durability, care, and overall beauty of Cubic Zirconia.

How Hard is Cubic Zirconia?

A gemstone's hardness is one of its most distinguishing characteristics. Hardness plays a key role in the authenticity and credibility of a gemstone. Alongside its shine, clarity, and craftsmanship, Cubic Zirconia’s exceptional hardness makes it ideal for everyday wear and more formal occasions. CZ ranks 8 and 8.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, demonstrating its impressive durability and resistance to scratches and indentations. While not as hard as diamonds, which hold a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale, CZ outperforms many other gemstones like amethyst and topaz.

The Mohs Hardness Scale Explained

The Mohs scale is a universal grading system used to measure a gemstone's hardness, scratch resistance, and overall strength. While diamonds reign supreme with a perfect score of 10, Cubic Zirconia holds a strong 8 to 8.5 range, placing it among high-performance synthetic gemstones. As a result, CZ has stormed the gemstone world, providing a durable alternative to natural gemstones.

Is Cubic Zirconia Harder than Diamonds?

Cubic Zirconia impresses with its durability and strength, achieving remarkable hardness on the Mohs scale. However, it still falls short of diamonds, which score a perfect 10 on the scale. This minor difference in hardness makes diamonds impervious to scratches, indentations, and scars, while Cubic Zirconia retains its unique advantages. Despite this, CZ remains a favorite in the jewelry world due to its strengths.

Visually Stunning

Cubic Zirconia stands out for its stunning visual appeal and captivates jewelry enthusiasts with its brilliance and charm. No gemstone is more visually enchanting than CZ. Its flawless appearance ensures an enticing sparkle, free from the inclusions or blemishes often found in natural diamonds.

Clarity

Regarding clarity, Cubic Zirconia stands at its peak, boasting brilliant ratings for cut, clarity, and flawlessness. Its dazzling sparkle and shine under any lighting condition make CZ an unbeatable presence in fine gemstones and jewelry.

Weight

Cubic Zirconia is slightly heavier than diamonds, but this does not detract from its quality or elegance. Its weight offers a substantial feel without sacrificing the gemstone's already captivating brilliance.

At Chic Jewelry, we celebrate the unique qualities of Cubic Zirconia, using it to craft stunning engagement rings and timeless designs that merge artistry with nature.

Is Cubic Zirconia Prone to Breaking?

While no gemstone is indestructible, Cubic Zirconia is renowned for its durability and strength. Despite its resistance to scratches and indentations, CZ is still vulnerable to breaking or chipping when subjected to high-impact stress. Taking proper care of your Cubic Zirconia jewelry is crucial to maintaining its pristine condition. For customers purchasing from Chic Jewelry, we ensure that all our settings are securely crafted to minimize the risk of wear and tear, ensuring your CZ jewelry stays in top shape.

6A Cubic Zirconia: What Is It?

Cubic Zirconia is rated for its impeccable quality, cut, clarity, and brilliance. Rated 6A, this gemstone represents the top tier in CZs. It boasts exceptional flawlessness, with no visible inclusions or cloudiness. The gem’s refined quality makes it a standout in the industry.

• Perfect Clarity: 6A Cubic Zirconia is bright and free from any visible inclusions or cloudiness.

• Superior Brilliance: The precision of the cut maximizes the gemstone’s sparkle, matching or even surpassing the light refraction of high-grade diamonds.

7A Cubic Zirconia: What Is It?

Taking the quality further, 7A Cubic Zirconia represents an upgrade over 6A. With superior cut, clarity, and precision, 7A Cubic Zirconia sets new benchmarks in the gemstone world. This top-tier grade offers unmatched brilliance, luster, and optical clarity, making it the perfect choice for collectors and jewelry enthusiasts seeking a cost-effective, luxurious alternative to natural diamonds. At Chic Jewelry, our AAA-certified 7A Cubic Zirconia often rivals natural gemstones, offering an ethical and affordable luxury option.

Does Chic Jewelry Ensure High Standards for Cubic Zirconia?

Absolutely! Chic Jewelry is committed to providing the highest quality standards, optical brilliance, cut, clarity, and hardness in all our Cubic Zirconia pieces. Our 7A Cubic Zirconia is an industry-leading choice, mainly used in engagement rings and other fine jewelry. We ensure each piece is a work of art crafted with precision and care to guarantee the highest levels of quality.

CZ Jewelry Care Tips

Proper care is essential to keeping your Cubic Zirconia jewelry sparkling like new. A little routine maintenance will help extend the life of your jewelry while preserving its luxurious appearance.

Steps for Proper Care

Here are the best practices for maintaining your Cubic Zirconia jewelry:

• Cleaning: Unlike diamonds, CZ requires a gentler cleaning approach. Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe down your jewelry after wearing it, removing sweat, oil, and dirt. Cleaning with lukewarm water and mild soap can also help, along with a soft brush like a baby toothbrush, to reach small crevices. This method ensures your CZ retains its dazzling sparkle without causing any abrasions or damage.

• Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Remove your jewelry when cleaning with strong chemicals or swimming in chlorinated pools, as these substances can erode the brilliance of Cubic Zirconia over time.

• Store Safely: Store your jewelry in a fabric-lined pouch or jewelry box, keeping each piece separate to avoid scratching.

• Inspect Settings: Regularly check the prongs and settings on rings to ensure the stone remains secure. Chic Jewelry also offers complimentary cleaning and inspection services to keep your CZ jewelry in excellent condition.

Chic Jewelry’s Key Takeaway

Cubic Zirconia offers unparalleled beauty, remarkable durability, and versatility, making it a favorite alternative to natural gemstones. At Chic Jewelry, we combine premium materials with over 35 years of craftsmanship to create stunning, AAA-certified CZ jewelry. Each piece is a testament to luxury, quality, and artistry. Whether you’re looking for an engagement ring or a custom-designed masterpiece, our collection ensures affordable luxury is always within reach. Experience the brilliance of Cubic Zirconia with confidence.

Explore our sparkling collection today and fall in love with timeless elegance.