The facts
What cubic Zirconia actually is
Cubic Zirconia is classified as synthetic yttria- or calcia-stabilised zirconium oxide, with the composition ZrO₂ stabilised with Y₂O₃. It crystallises in the isometric system.
Colour comes from colourless when pure; dopants give every colour — Ce for yellow-orange, Cr for green, Nd for violet, Er for pink, which is also what a laboratory looks at when it is asked whether a colour is natural.
Refractive index 2.150–2.180. Specific gravity around 5.60–6.00. Cleavage: none; conchoidal fracture. Those three numbers separate it from most of what imitates it.
Where cubic Zirconia comes from
Cubic Zirconia is produced at Grown by skull melting, chiefly in China and Russia.
That is the whole list. A single source makes supply fragile and makes any claim of a second origin worth questioning.
How cubic Zirconia is treated
Entirely man-made and must always be sold as such. It is not 'lab-grown diamond' — different material, different properties. Its 5.7 specific gravity and lack of thermal conductivity separate it from diamond instantly; coated CZ is also sold to defeat simple diamond testers.
Treatment changes value, sometimes by a multiple, so it belongs in the description before the price and not after the sale.
What cubic Zirconia is confused with
In the trade cubic Zirconia is most often mistaken for, or substituted by, Diamond, Synthetic moissanite, White sapphire or White zircon.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 2.150–2.180 and specific gravity 5.60–6.00 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What cubic Zirconia is used for
Demand for cubic Zirconia comes from jewellery and technical and precision components, which is why one price per carat never covers it.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat or by the piece.
Durability and care
Cubic Zirconia is 8–8.5 on the Mohs scale, with none; conchoidal fracture cleavage.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What cubic Zirconia costs
As a guide, cubic Zirconia trades around Under 1 USD/ct for standard goods; specialist cut colours a few USD/ct.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is cubic Zirconia treated, and how?
Entirely man-made and must always be sold as such. It is not 'lab-grown diamond' — different material, different properties. Its 5.7 specific gravity and lack of thermal conductivity separate it from diamond instantly; coated CZ is also sold to defeat simple diamond testers.
Where does cubic Zirconia come from?
Grown by skull melting, chiefly in China and Russia. That is the only commercial source.
Is cubic Zirconia hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 8–8.5 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does cubic Zirconia cost?
Indicatively Under 1 USD/ct for standard goods; specialist cut colours a few USD/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is cubic Zirconia confused with?
Most often Diamond, Synthetic moissanite, White sapphire and White zircon. A refractive index of 2.150–2.180 and a specific gravity near 5.60–6.00 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for cubic zirconia?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about cubic zirconia