Are Lab Grown Diamonds the same as Cubic Zirconia?
Some questions don’t need a deep breakdown.
Is cubic zirconia (CZ) the same as a lab-grown diamond? Of course not.
That’s like asking if a Honda Civic is the same as a Lamborghini. You already know the answer. One is high-performance engineering. The other doesn’t even look like it belongs in the same league.
Cubic zirconia is not a real diamond. It’s not even a real gemstone. It’s costume jewellery filler. It has no value, no longevity, and no place in any serious collection.
Key Comparisons: Difference in Image and Value
Price
Just look on AliExpress for some prices for comparable sizes of CZ and Lab Diamond
Lab Diamond: $424.28 NZD for a 1ct round cut.
CZ: $0.83NZD for the same size round cut (as a pack of 10 for $8.34)
CZ is cheap for a reason. And it shows.
Certification
Lab Diamond: Certified by IGI and GIA.
CZ: No serious lab certifies CZ. It’s not a gemstone.
Diamond Tester Response
Lab Diamond: Passes. Because it is a diamond.
CZ: Fails instantly.
Symbolic Value
Lab Diamond: Chosen for engagements, anniversaries, and real love.
CZ: Never gifted with meaning. It’s just a stand-in.
Physical Properties: It’s Not Even Close
Composition
Lab Diamond: Pure carbon.
CZ: Zirconium dioxide. Cheap and synthetic.
Hardness
Lab Diamond: Mohs 10. The hardest natural material.
CZ: Mohs 8–8.5. Considerably softer, scratches over time (see pic for example).
Durability
Lab Diamond: Made to last a lifetime. Very hard to chip and crack
CZ: Chips, scratches, and dulls.
Weight
Lab Diamond: Normal gemstone weight.
CZ: 1.7x as dense as Lab Grown Diamond. Feels heavy. Fake. Off-balance.
Colour
Lab Diamond: D to fancy colours. True brilliance.
CZ: Starts clear, turns grey or cloudy over time.
Optical Properties: One Sparkles, One Pretends
Brilliance
Lab Diamond: Sharp, clear light return.
CZ: Glassy and flat.
Fire
Lab Diamond: Balanced rainbow light.
CZ: Overdone. Looks like toy jewellery.
Scintillation
Lab Diamond: Dynamic flashes when it moves.
CZ: Flat and inconsistent. It tries, but it fails.
What If You Can’t Afford a Lab Diamond? Choose Moissanite
We get it. Not everyone can afford a lab-grown diamond. Not everyone is in that financial tier.
But that doesn’t mean you should settle for something as low-quality as CZ.
Choose moissanite. It looks much closer to a real diamond. It lasts longer. It sparkles better. It doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not.
Why LD Jewellery Never Sells CZ
We don’t sell fake sparkle. We don’t sell filler.
We sell lab-grown diamonds, because they are real diamonds.
And if you want something more affordable, we’ll point you to moissanite. Something with dignity. Something with beauty.
Not CZ. Never CZ.
Conclusion: Leave CZ in the Toy Bin
CZ is not a diamond. It’s not close. It doesn’t sparkle like one. It doesn’t last like one. And it sure doesn’t mean anything.
Real jewellery should feel powerful. Expressive. Personal.
That’s what a lab diamond brings. That’s what moissanite can still offer.
CZ? Leave it for plastic rings and party favours. Never wear it seriously. Never gift it. Never invest in it.
If you want real sparkle, go lab-grown. If you want a smart alternative, go moissanite.
But CZ? Not even once.