Cubic zirconia gives you serious sparkle for a small price — but it is the one bright stone that genuinely rewards a little routine care. Here is why CZ dulls faster than diamond or moissanite, and the simple habits that keep it brilliant.
Why does cubic zirconia go dull?
Two reasons. First, like all brilliant-cut stones, CZ picks up a film of skin oils, soap and cosmetics that blocks light — this is temporary and cleans off. Second, CZ is softer than diamond or moissanite (around 8 to 8.5 on the Mohs scale), so over years of hard wear its surface and facet edges can pick up micro-scratches that soften the sparkle permanently. You cannot polish that back at home — but you can prevent most of it with sensible storage and by taking pieces off for rough tasks.
How do you clean cubic zirconia jewellery at home?
Warm water with a drop of washing-up liquid, a short soak, a very soft brush around the settings, rinse and dry with a lint-free cloth. Skip harsh chemicals, abrasive cloths and toothpaste. Be gentle around the stones themselves: in fashion jewellery, small CZ stones are sometimes glued rather than claw-set, and long hot soaks or ultrasonic cleaners can loosen them. If you are not sure how your piece is set, a quick wipe-and-brush is the safe route.
How do you protect the settings, not just the stones?
Most CZ jewellery, including pieces like our Blooming Garden Set and Golden Luxe Crystal Set, sets the stones in gold-plated metal — and the plating is more vulnerable than the stones. The rules from our gold-plated care guide apply: jewellery goes on after perfume and creams, comes off before showers, pools and workouts, and gets a wipe with a soft dry cloth after wear.
What habits make cubic zirconia last longest?
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Put CZ pieces on last, after cosmetics have dried | Spray perfume or hairspray over your jewellery |
| Take rings off for washing up, cleaning and the gym | Wear CZ in pools — chlorine attacks the plated settings |
| Give a gentle clean every few weeks of regular wear | Use ultrasonic cleaners on pieces that may have glued stones |
| Store each piece separately, away from harder stones | Let CZ tumble loose with diamond or moissanite pieces — they will scratch it |
How should you store cubic zirconia jewellery?
Separate compartments or individual pouches, somewhere cool and dry, clasps fastened. Because CZ sits below diamond and moissanite in hardness, it will come off worst in any drawer collision — so isolation is its best protection, along with an airtight bag to slow tarnish on the plated setting. For the full store-wide routine, see our guide on how to store jewellery properly, and to understand the stone itself, our honest guide to cubic zirconia.