How to Care for Your Cubic Zirconia Jewelry and Keep It Sparkling?

Cubic Zirconia (CZ) jewelry dazzles with a sparkling shine that offers a scintillating brilliance comparable to that of a diamond, at approximately one-fifth the cost of a naturally mined gemstone. A diamond simulant, offering the same levels of hardness, durability, and luster as its natural counterpart, available at a more accessible price point, becomes a captivating choice for any jewelry collection. 

Contributing to creating a glamorous and purposeful accessory that adds a touch of panache, finesse, elegance, and sophistication, the diamond alternative quite affordably garnishes any outfit with a unique charm and an aura of its own. 

However, to keep the synthetic gemstone sparkling at its glowing best, thorough and regular cleansing and maintenance, via consistent service and aftercare, ensure revitalized beauty and longevity for the accessory. 

Offering a fiery, shiny, and immersive presence, CZ continues to shine, looking its radiant best and appearing exactly as it did the first day you wore it. This guide is designed to provide you with practical tips for keeping your cubic zirconia jewelry clean, aesthetically pleasing, and sparkling bright for years to come.

Deciphering Cubic Zirconia

Cubic Zirconia is an artificial gemstone, crafted exclusively from zirconium dioxide. Created primarily for industrial purposes, the diamond simulant soon found its place in the jewelry world. With remarkable clarity and a diamond-like dazzle, the gemstone’s striking visual and edgy aesthetics feature a notable shine. 

The dazzle of the mighty rainbow-colored flashes of light appeals with remarkable fire. Crafted with a visually striking presence, these synthetic gemstones are manufactured under controlled laboratory conditions. We are committed to ensuring that every gemstone meets precise craftsmanship, reflecting consistent quality with minimal inclusions.

With its durability, shine, and affordability, the diamond alternative has experienced a significant rise in both popularity and application. At LA Chic Jewelry, we specialize in creating gems and jewelry. With a 35-year history rooted in Los Angeles, we pour expertise and passion into every piece, showcasing the hard work, dedication, and commitment through skillfully crafted accessories, including custom and engagement rings.

Can Cubic Zirconia Tarnish? 

A frequently asked question is, “Does cubic zirconia tarnish?” The stone itself never tarnishes, but its surface could become prone to wear and tear. Becoming dull or cloudy due to constant contact with soaps, detergents, soap, lotions, or natural skin oils, where the gemstone obstructs the light and thus results in reduced brilliance. 

CZ is, however, contained in a metal setting rather than the stone itself. Most CZ jewelry pieces are housed elegantly in gold alloys that may include copper, silver, or other metals, and thus oxidize over time. Even top-quality gold, including 10 or 14k, can appear with possible signs of tarnish due to the alloy metals.

It is essential to determine the difference to ensure proper and timely maintenance with cubic zirconia, which requires gentle cleaning to retain its optical properties. Herein, the metal setting would require dedicated care and specialized attention based on its composition. This is the dual-maintenance approach to ensure that all components are functioning correctly and maintaining their intended functionality.

Cubic Zirconia and the Essential Storage Facilities

Choosing a proper storage facility will guarantee your watch 100% protection. Becoming the first line of defense for CZ jewelry. Unlike harder gemstones, it is more prone to scratches and indentations when in contact with other jewelry pieces, making separation essential. 

Secure Storage Solutions

Storage solutions introduce compartmentalisation to secure every individual piece next to each other without any vulnerability to scratches due to contact. Such a separation avoids permanent damage to the stone’s surface and thus helps maintain its lustre and smooth finish, texture. From soft pouches to compartments within the jewelry box, efficient storage solutions ensure the gemstone's shine is not compromised at any cost.

Choosing the Right Environment

Keeping your CZ jewelry in a secure, isolated, and calm environment prevents it from direct contact with sunlight. Exposure to excessive heat and humidity can damage the stone. Therefore, a comparatively calm storage environment with proper temperature regulation would ensure an optimal setting, positively impacting both the stone and the metal setting. Here, a lined jewelry box hosting individual compartments would prove the trick of the trade, guaranteeing ideal protection.

Maintaining Daily Care and Sophisticated Handling

Handle with Care

Timing matters! Your prized cubic zirconia jewelry should be the final touch of the day. From putting on perfumes, lotions, or hairspray, wherever you begin, the jewelry should be worn last. Ensuring a touch of finesse, sophistication, elegance, and ornamental beauty, your personality, attire, and attitude must match the persona and charm of your CZ jewelry.

Put them Aside During Activities

Ensure you remove your CZ jewelry while engaging in your day-to-day activities. Daily wear and tear can lead to unavoidable abrasions, scratches, or indentations, resulting in a dull and less attractive appearance. 

With your ring on your finger, it is essential to keep a check on how you are handling it and where you are engaging your fingers, making sure the bedazzling ring and its bright, lustrous appearance do not tarnish or fade. 

NOTE:

Exposure to harsh chemicals can lead to physical damage or a degraded appearance. From household cleaning to swimming in chlorinated water, avoiding direct contact with reagents could leave your ring in a dilapidated state.

Also, ensure that your prized CZ rings are put aside while working out or engaging in any outdoor activity, including gardening and manual labor. Although having a hardness rating of 8-8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, prevention could still be the best cure to complement the durability. 

Applying Methods of Professional Cleaning

Gentle Home Cleaning

Using warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap is the best practice for maintaining your CZ jewelry pieces regularly. Applying a soft-bristled toothbrush, with gentle pushes and scrubs onto the stone, helps effectively remove the buildup. Special attention needs to be given to the prongs and the back of the stone, where oil and debris can typically accumulate. 

The jewel piece needs to be rinsed with clean water and patted dry with a lint-free cloth to ensure a smooth and comprehensive cleaning of the gemstone. Your most admired piece of ornamental beauty must be dried thoroughly to prevent moisture from being present in the metal settings. 

Seek Professional Assistance

It is the expert help and the veterans at work who assist professionally, whether it involves heavily soiled pieces or annual deep cleaning of professional jewelry. These professionals, with their expert assistance at LA Chic Jewelry, guarantee annual cleanings for engagement rings that are frequently worn, ensuring optimal appearance and structural integrity. 

Protection of Metal Settings

The longevity of a CZ jewel piece is not just ensured via the protection of the CZ gemstone but also through the maintenance of the metal setting. Gold alloys used in 10k and 14k can tarnish due to the presence of their copper content, particularly when exposed to moisture, sulfur compounds, or certain harmful chemicals, resulting in tarnish, abrasion, or physical damage over time.

The application of professional cleaning methods to metal components, involving a thoughtful yet rigorous use of appropriate cleaning solutions, helps prevent abrasions or indentations, thereby maintaining their overall beauty and aesthetics. Therefore, for custom cubic zirconia jewelry pieces produced by LA Chic Jewelry, specific cleaning instructions are necessary to keep the warranty's validity. 

Signs that Your CZ Jewelry Needs Attention 

• Watch for a decrease in the brilliance of the cubic zirconia jewel piece.

• Look for a visual buildup of product and debris around the stone setting. 

• Check for discoloration of the metal component. 

These are sure visual signs that indicate it's time for your cubic zirconia jewelry piece to be professionally evaluated and thoroughly cleaned. With these issues being addressed promptly, your CZ jewel piece is professionally assessed, preventing any damage and ensuring long-term value retention. 

A Sparkling Future Awaits 

Proper and comprehensive care can transform cubic zirconia jewelry pieces from a temporary accessory to a permanent treasure. By performing aesthetic and straightforward professional cleaning and maintenance practices, your cubic zirconia jewelry will be guaranteed a sparkling future. Regular cleansing with thorough upkeep is therefore required to let your CZ jewelry shine and garner light and admiration for years to come. 

Whether you're seeking utmost care for your cherished cubic zirconia engagement ring or looking to expand your collection with statement-making pieces, it is with thorough care that CZ jewelry stands the test of time. Visit LA Chic Jewelry to explore our collection of AAA certified cubic zirconia jewelry, where three generations of expertise meet contemporary design, and discover pieces worthy of your careful attention.