Zircon vs Cubic Zirconia: What’s the Difference?
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Zircon vs Cubic Zirconia: What’s the Difference?

When browsing for sparkling jewelry in Canada, many people stumble on two similar names: zircon and cubic zirconia. While they sound alike, they are very different stones.

Zircon vs Cubic Zirconia: What’s the Difference?


When browsing for sparkling jewelry in Canada, many people stumble on two similar names: zircon and cubic zirconia. While they sound alike, they are very different stones. At Urban Ice, we proudly work with zircon—a natural gemstone that offers timeless beauty and brilliant sparkle. But to help you make an informed choice, let’s look at how zircon compares to cubic zirconia.


What Is Zircon?

Zircon is a natural gemstone that has been admired for centuries. It’s one of the oldest minerals found on Earth and is celebrated for its intense brilliance and versatility in jewelry.

  • Origin: 100% natural gemstone, formed over millions of years.

  • Brilliance: Known for rainbow-like flashes, called fire, that rival diamonds.

  • Durability: Hard enough for everyday wear (Mohs 7–7.5), but should be handled with care.

  • Colours: Available in white, blue, champagne, and more, making it perfect for diverse styles.

  • Value: Considered more precious and unique than cubic zirconia, yet still affordable compared to diamonds.

 Browse our zircon jewelry collection to discover pieces that combine natural elegance with affordability.


What Is Cubic Zirconia (CZ)?

Cubic zirconia, often called CZ, is a lab-created stone designed to imitate diamonds. It is widely used in fashion jewelry because of its low cost, but it lacks the natural heritage of zircon.

  • Origin: Synthetic, created in labs.

  • Brilliance: Sparkly but tends to have a glassy, uniform look.

  • Durability: Slightly harder than zircon, but may become cloudy over time.

  • Value: Very inexpensive, but not collectible.


Zircon vs Cubic Zirconia: The Key Differences

1. Natural vs Synthetic

  • Zircon = a natural gemstone with history and character.

  • CZ = a synthetic imitation.

2. Price & Value

  • Zircon carries intrinsic value as a collectible stone.

  • CZ is mass-produced and disposable.

3. Appearance & Sparkle

  • Zircon offers rainbow flashes (fire) and a diamond-like brilliance.

  • CZ has a simpler, whiter shine.

4. Durability

  • Zircon: durable enough for daily wear but best cared for properly.

  • CZ: tougher against chips, but tends to lose clarity.


Why Urban Ice Chooses Zircon

At Urban Ice, we believe jewelry should combine authenticity, beauty, and value. That’s why we only craft with zircon—a gemstone that delivers unmatched sparkle, is naturally formed, and feels truly special to own.

When you shop our zircon chains and bracelets, you’re investing in jewelry that balances luxury and accessibility. Unlike mass-market CZ, zircon gives you a piece of Earth’s history to carry with you, every day.


Final Takeaway

Although zircon and cubic zirconia share similar names, they are worlds apart. Zircon is natural, timeless, and collectible, while cubic zirconia is synthetic and disposable. At Urban Ice, we choose zircon because it represents authentic brilliance for real jewelry lovers in Canada.

👉 Discover the difference for yourself with our zircon jewelry collection.

Further Reading & References

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