When You Hear The Words Cubic Zirconia - What Do You Think? 

Many people think of “cheap” or “costume” jewellery — but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, Cubic Zirconia (CZ) has become one of the most beautiful, versatile, and ethical diamond alternatives in modern jewellery.

At Twelve Silver Trees, we use only top-grade, hand-set cubic zirconia in our designs — stones that rival the sparkle of fine diamonds at a fraction of the cost. Let’s take a closer look at why Cubic Zirconia deserves far more credit than it gets.

What Is Cubic Zirconia?

Cubic Zirconia is the crystalline form of zirconium dioxide, a man-made material first developed in the 1970s. It’s often confused with zircon, a natural gemstone, but the two are very different.

Just like diamonds, CZ is graded by the Four Cs — cut, clarity, colour, and carat — and the skill of the cutter plays a major role in its brilliance. When faceted correctly, a high-grade Cubic Zirconia displays more fire (those flashes of coloured light) than a natural diamond, making it a truly captivating alternative.

The Grades of Cubic Zirconia: A to AAAAA

Not all CZ stones are created equal. The jewellery world grades Cubic Zirconia from A (lowest) to AAAAA (highest) quality.

A & AA Grade

• Primarily used for crafts, embellishments, and inexpensive fashion jewellery.
• Offer sparkle but often lack clarity and precision-cut facets.

AAA Grade

• The most common grade used in mass-produced jewellery.
• Brighter and better polished than A-grade, but may still show surface marks or faint graining.
• Usually set in plated metals or gold-filled pieces.

AAAA Grade

• Finer cut, improved clarity, and more precise faceting.
• Often used by boutique jewellery brands seeking high visual impact at a mid-range price.

AAAAA Grade – The Finest Quality

• Top-tier Cubic Zirconia, cut and polished to the same exacting standards as fine diamonds.
• Flawless to the naked eye with remarkable brilliance and clarity.
• Found in luxury sterling silver and gold mountings — such as our handcrafted Bezel Station Necklace — offering elegant, diamond-like sparkle without the high price tag.

Colour, Clarity, and Fire

While most cubic zirconia is colourless, trace elements can be added during creation to produce stunning shades like pink, champagne, or sapphire blue.

The highest-grade CZ stones are completely clear, with no yellow or grey tinge — a sign of excellent purity and material quality.

Unlike natural diamonds, cubic zirconia is virtually flawless, meaning most stones are “eye clean.” This lack of inclusions gives CZ its bright, mirror-like clarity. However, it’s that extraordinary fire — the vibrant flashes of rainbow light — that makes it truly mesmerising.

Weight, Durability & Care

CZ gemstones are denser than diamonds, weighing around 75% more for the same size. They measure 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them durable enough for everyday wear, though not as hard as a diamond.

Over time, exposure to dust, lotions, and cosmetics may dull their sparkle — but with proper care, a high-grade Cubic Zirconia piece will stay dazzling for years.

(See our blog How to Care for Sterling Silver Jewellery for simple cleaning tips.)

Why We Love It

Cubic Zirconia isn’t “fake.” It’s a crafted gemstone, designed to deliver brilliance, beauty, and affordability.

When used in quality mountings — like our handmade sterling silver jewellery, finished in rhodium for lasting shine — it becomes something truly special.

A-grade or AAAAA, there’s a CZ for every purpose, from decorative crafts to fine designer pieces. At Twelve Silver Trees Jewellery, we proudly celebrate it as an underestimated beauty — a reminder that true sparkle isn’t always measured by price.

Discover More

Explore our Cubic Zirconia Bezel Station Necklace or browse our Collections for complimenting earrings and bracelets handcrafted in sterling silver.

Published by Twelve Silver Trees Jewellery