Cubic Zirconia vs Moissanite: What’s the Difference?

Cubic Zirconia vs Moissanite: What’s the Difference?

Cubic Zirconia (CZ) and Moissanite are two popular stones used in modern jewelry, but they offer very different levels of brilliance, durability, and long-term beauty. Understanding the difference helps you choose pieces that truly match your lifestyle and expectations.

At Lutche, we work only with premium Moissanite because it delivers superior shine, durability, and value.

What Is Cubic Zirconia (CZ)?

CZ is a synthetic stone made from zirconium dioxide. It is widely used because it is inexpensive and easy to mass-produce.
CZ looks bright when new, but it is more delicate and tends to lose clarity over time.

What Is Moissanite?

Moissanite is a lab-created gemstone inspired by a mineral first discovered in a meteorite. It offers far greater brilliance, durability, and visual impact than CZ.
It is often compared to diamonds β€” but shines even brighter.

Brilliance & Fire

  • CZ: soft shine, less sparkle, tends to become cloudy with use.

  • Moissanite: 2.4x more brilliant than diamond, extreme sparkle, strong fire, stays clear for years.

Moissanite gives a more luxurious, high-end appearance.

Durability

Durability affects how long a stone keeps its beauty.

  • CZ hardness: ~8.0 β€” can scratch and dull over time.

  • Moissanite hardness: 9.25 β€” extremely durable, suitable for everyday wear.

This means Moissanite remains radiant for years, while CZ often looks older after months.

Color & Clarity

  • CZ is usually flawless at the beginning, but may discolor (yellowing or fogging).

  • Moissanite maintains long-term clarity and color consistency without clouding.

Price Difference

  • CZ is inexpensive and low durability.

  • Moissanite has a higher cost but offers premium performance, similar to fine gemstones.

It’s an investment in long-lasting shine.

Ethics & Sustainability

Both stones can be lab-grown, but Moissanite stands out for being:

  • Eco-friendly

  • Conflict-free

  • Highly durable (reducing waste)

Moissanite aligns with modern conscious luxury.

Quick Comparison

Feature

Cubic Zirconia (CZ)

Moissanite

Brilliance

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Durability

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Clouding Over Time

Common

Rare

Long-Term Shine

Low

High

Fire (Rainbow Light)

Minimal

Strong

Price

Low

Accessible

Luxury Appeal

Basic

Premium

Why Lutche Chooses Moissanite

We want your jewelry to stay beautiful. That’s why we avoid CZ stones and choose only premium Moissanite for collections that demand durability, clarity, and intense brilliance.
It's the stone that best represents our brand β€” modern, ethical, timeless, and luxurious.

Final Thoughts

CZ is an affordable option for temporary or casual jewelry.
Moissanite is for women who want:

  • Long-Lasting Brilliance

  • Stronger Shine

  • Premium Durability

  • Ethical Gemstones

  • Elegant, Modern Sparkle

It’s the perfect balance of beauty, quality, and value β€” a true symbol of modern luxury.

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