3 Ways to Clean Cubic Zirconia - wikiHow (2024)

FAQs

3 Ways to Clean Cubic Zirconia - wikiHow? ›

Cleaning Your Jewelry

CZ Jewelry pieces need to be cleaned regularly to maintain their shine and restore their sparkle over time. First, soak your CZ jewelry in warm water and detergent and let it sit for at least 2 minutes. Then use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a cosmetic brush to scrub the jewelry piece until an even sparkle reappears.

Rinse with warm water, then use a chamois cloth to dry it off. Alternatively, you can also use rubbing alcohol as a cleaner. Note: never use any “dip polish” or other jewelry cleaners. As durable as it is, over time, the harsh chemicals in these items can do a number on your cubic zirconia jewelry.

These cleaning products should not be used on cubic zirconia, as they could damage your jewellery. Avoid natural cleaners like essential oils and vinegar. They may react with the metals in your ring and cause tarnishing. Only use a soft brush to clean, otherwise, you may scratch the gems or band.

Avoid using harsh chemicals, bleach, or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the cubic zirconia and its setting. We are sometimes asked about cleaning cubic zirconia with baking soda but we prefer to use warm water and a mild detergent instead so as to avoid the risk of the stones becoming scratched and dull.

The reason given was that CZ is oxygen deficient and it will absorb oxygen from the atmosphere causing it to become cloudy.

Cubic zirconia isn't very durable—ranking around 8.5 on the Mohs scale. It's easily scratched and will quickly lose its shine from daily wear and tear. It typically lasts around three years before it becomes unwearable.

The short answer is that yes, it can get wet, but it's also possible for repeated water exposure to damage your cubic zirconia. No matter what kind of jewelry you are wearing, it's best to take it off before you go in the shower or pool (or in any situation where your stone will be immersed in water).

If you'd like to disinfect your jewelry, you can use regular household isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, as long as the jewelry is solid gold or platinum and is only set with diamond, ruby, or sapphire. Take care with any other kind of stones and use a gentler form of cleaning.

While Windex is a commonly used household cleaner, it is not recommended for cleaning cubic zirconia jewelry. Windex contains ammonia and other chemicals that can be too harsh for the delicate surface of cubic zirconia. These chemicals may cause damage, discoloration, or even dull the gemstones sparkle.

Do cubic zirconias turn black? ›

But there are certain times when you might put your CZ jewelry at risk of tarnishing if you're not careful. For instance, if you wear CZ jewelry when you're working out, you're going to expose it to entirely too much sweat. This sweat could do a number on your CZ jewelry and cause it to tarnish.

Try using a white vinegar and water solution.

Soak the jewelry in the solution, and then use soft toothbrush to get into corners and holes. Cleaning fake jewelry in vinegar can leave the chains shiny. The soft bristle toothbrush can help if the jewelry contains gems by getting in cracks.

How Long Does Cubic Zirconia Last? Cubic zirconia is considerably less durable than a real diamond. They can be worn daily for between 2 to 3 years and up to 5 years if someone wears them occasionally. As cubic zirconia stones age, they tend to become scratched and cloudy.

The sound waves can damage the surface of the stone, causing cracks, fractures, or discoloration. Treated or coated stones such as dyed or coated pearls, opals, or cubic zirconia should not be cleaned.

Most of the time cloudy cubic zirconia or dull CZ occurs due to a build-up of residue from chemicals, grease and oils for example, found in soaps, lotions and hairsprays. The solution to treating clouding cubic zirconia is careful cleaning.

Cubic zirconia stones scratch and fade very easily, losing their luster after about two years.