Cubic zirconia is a synthetically made stone: mostly clear and colorless, and highly light-refracting, which is why it sparkles even in small shapes. In jewelry it sits as a single stone, as a fine row or close together in pavé.
What the other words on a product page mean is explained in our guide on which material for earrings. This one is only about zirconia: what it is, how it differs from diamond and how it looks on everyday earrings.
What is cubic zirconia, at a glance?
- What it is: a synthetically made stone of zirconium dioxide.
- How it is made: in a lab, from molten material that cools into clear stones.
- How it looks: mostly clear and colorless, though it also comes in colors. It sparkles brightly, often with tiny flashes of color.
- Where you find it: as an accent, in a row or all over in pavé.
You see it most clearly when light from the café window lands on your stud and someone asks what that stone is.
Cubic zirconia or diamond: what's the difference?
They are two different stones. Diamond is made of carbon and forms in the earth, and today also in a lab. Cubic zirconia is made from zirconium dioxide.
Both are mostly clear, and each breaks the light in its own way. With zirconia you often see small rainbow-colored flashes, especially in daylight.
Why does zirconia suit everyday wear?
- Clear sparkle in small pieces: zirconia brings light to small, flat pieces you wear every day.
- With every tone: it sits just as well next to gold-tone, rose gold-tone and silver-tone.
- A little goes a long way: a small spark at the ear makes a simple outfit look finished, even if it's just jeans and a grey sweater.
Single, in a row, in pavé: how is zirconia set on our earrings?
Zirconia jewelry looks quite different depending on the setting. Our earrings show three ways.
In a row and along a line
A single row keeps the outline clean and does the sparkling. On Fiona it runs down the middle of a flat, narrow oval; on Esme it follows two linked loops. For more on Esme, see our piece on zirconia drop earrings.
Fiona - Pavé Earrings with Zirconia
At a parents’ evening, on a small chair in the classroom: a row of pavé zirconia down the middle of the oval, and the lever back keeps Fiona close to the ear. Copper alloy, pavé-set zirconia, lever back. €24.95
Esme - Linked Drop Pavé Earrings with Zirconia
On a Sunday afternoon walk: two elongated links hang one from the other, a fine row of zirconia runs along them, and the rhodium gives Esme a bright white shine. Rhodium-plated copper alloy, silver-tone finish, pavé-set zirconia, hook closure. €24.95
All over in pavé
Set close together, many small stones become one sparkling surface. Pavé-set cubic zirconia gives an even sparkle.
Pineapple Delight - Stud Earrings with Zirconia
For a colleague’s birthday at the office, with cake on paper plates: tiny pineapples covered all over in yellow pavé zirconia, topped with a tuft of leaves set with green stones. Gold-tone copper alloy, pavé zirconia, studs. €24.95
As an accent, rose gold-tone
A few stones in the right place are enough to bring a motif to life.
Zoe - Owl Stud Earrings with Zirconia
An evening on the sofa with a book: tiny owls with pavé zirconia on head and wings, warm in tone next to the clear stones. Rose gold-tone copper alloy, zirconia accents, studs. €19.95
Which zirconia pair suits you?
Choose by setting: a row for a clean look, pavé for more sparkle, an accent for a motif with a little shine. For more on material terms, see which material for earrings. To find your gold tone, read which gold for earrings.
Pineapple Delight is gold-tone copper alloy, Zoe is rose gold-tone, Esme is rhodium-plated copper alloy with a silver-tone finish and Fiona is copper alloy, all with cubic zirconia. Questions about the material? Message us.
FAQ
What is cubic zirconia?
A synthetically made stone, cubic zirconia to be exact. It is mostly clear and refracts light strongly, which is why it sparkles even in small shapes.
What is the difference between cubic zirconia and diamond?
They are two different stones. Diamond is made of carbon and forms in the earth or in a lab; cubic zirconia is made from zirconium dioxide. Both are mostly clear, but they break the light differently.
Which Theia earrings have zirconia?
All whose product page lists zirconia, for example Fiona, Pineapple Delight, Zoe and Esme. Questions about the material? Message us.