How To Clean Cubic Zirconia

Our Guide to Cleaning Cubic Zirconia Jewellery

If you feel a bit lost on how to clean cubic zirconia jewellery to keep it looking sparkly, don’t worry! With this super easy guide we’ll show you how to make your beautiful cubic zirconia earrings (and rings and necklaces too) dazzle and shine without any fuss.

Cubic zirconia is a popular and affordable alternative to diamonds and is known for its brilliance and stunning appearance. While it may not be as precious as diamonds, cubic zirconia requires proper care and cleaning to maintain its sparkle and lustre over time. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps of cleaning cubic zirconia jewellery, ensuring that it continues to dazzle and impress for years to come.

Understanding Cubic Zirconia

Before we delve into the cleaning process, it’s essential to understand the nature of cubic zirconia. Cubic Zirconia (CZ) is a synthetic gemstone made from zirconium dioxide, designed to resemble a diamond’s optical properties and brilliance. While CZ is more durable than most gemstones, it is not as hard as diamonds, which means it can still be scratched or damaged with improper cleaning techniques. It’s a good idea to clean cloudy cubic zirconia to bring back the sparkle.

Cubic Zirconia Cleaning Care

What You’ll Need:

• Soft-bristle toothbrush or soft cloth
• Mild dish soap or liquid detergent
• Warm water
• Microfibre cloth

Step 1: Preparing the Cleaning Solution

Create a cleaning solution by mixing a few drops of mild dish soap or liquid detergent with warm water in a small bowl. 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.  You may find people who clean cubic zirconia with toothpaste but this isn’t the process we use.

Step 2: Soaking the Jewellery

Place the cubic zirconia jewellery in the cleaning solution and allow it to soak for around 10 minutes. This will help loosen any dirt, oils, or residue trapped in and around the gemstone and its setting. Avoid soaking jewellery that contains other delicate gemstones, pearls, or organic materials, as they might be sensitive to water and soaking may also disturb the glue holding any of these stones or pearls in place.

Step 3: Gently Cleaning the Jewellery

After soaking, take a soft-bristle toothbrush or a soft cloth and gently scrub the CZ gemstone and its setting. Be sure to reach all the crevices and intricate areas where dirt may accumulate. Avoid using excessive pressure, as it can cause scratching or damage.

Step 4: Rinsing and Drying

Thoroughly rinse the jewellery under warm running water to remove any remaining cleaning solution. Take care not to drop the jewellery down the drain!  After rinsing, pat the piece dry with a microfibre cloth or lint-free towel. Avoid air-drying, as it may leave water spots.

Step 5: Polishing your cubic zirconia jewellery

To give your cubic zirconia jewellery that extra shine, use a dry microfibre or lint-free polishing cloth to gently buff the gemstone. This will remove any remaining smudges and enhance its brilliance.

Step 6: Storing the Jewellery

When you’re not wearing your cubic zirconia jewellery, store it in a separate pouch to prevent scratching and tangling. Avoid keeping it alongside other jewellery pieces so as to minimize potential damage. We supply anti-tarnish pouches with every piece of Flutterby jewellery. Not only do these pouches help to keep your jewellery looking its best, they also keep individual pieces separate and reduce the risk of them becoming tangled in your jewellery box!

Additional Tips:

• Remove CZ jewellery before engaging in activities that may expose it to chemicals or potential damage, such as household cleaning, gardening, or sport.  Take off bracelets and rings before doing the washing up!
• Avoid direct contact with perfume, hairspray, lotions, or other beauty products, as they can dull the stone’s sparkle over time.
• Have your CZ jewellery professionally inspected and cleaned at least once a year, especially if it’s worn frequently.

Cubic zirconia jewellery is an excellent and affordable alternative to diamonds, and with proper care, it can retain its brilliance and beauty for years. We hope this guide to cleaning cubic zirconia has shown how easy it is and how regular cleaning and gentle maintenance are the keys to preserving the sparkle of your CZ gemstones. By following the steps outlined in this guide and adopting good jewellery care practices, you can continue to enjoy your cubic zirconia jewellery’s dazzling elegance. Check out our range of CZ jewellery – including cubic zirconia earrings, cz necklaces and cz bracelets which are all set in sterling silver or gold vermeil.