Does Cubic Zirconia Tarnish?
When it comes to jewelry, tarnishing is something we all get concerned about – a process of oxidation where some metals can react to chemicals in the air and surrounding, and build a different layer on the surface, which looks ugly.
Today, we are talking about cubic zirconia, and since you are here, you must own a cubic zirconia or might be planning to get one – so, are you curious if it tarnishes or not?
Does cubic zirconia tarnish? How can you keep it clean? To know the answer to these questions, all you need to do is continue reading this article.
Does Cubic Zirconia Tarnish?
No, cubic zirconia, also known as CZ, does not tarnish because it is a synthetic crystal rather than a metal. Since tarnishing is mainly caused by metal oxidation, the stone itself will not develop tarnish over time.
Cubic Zirconia Disadvantages
While it is a good deal that cubic zirconia does not tarnish – it still has some other main disadvantages that you need to keep in mind.
Setting Metal
The cubic zirconia crystal will not tarnish, but its setting metal surely can. Setting metal is where your crystal is located – the metal that is supporting your crystal to stay in place.
There are plenty of metals in the market that tarnish, and if one of those metals are used as a setting metal for your cubic zirconia jewellery, then while the crystal will look good, the base can look tarnished.
Scratch-resistant & Dullness
Sadly, cubic zirconia crystal is not scratch-resistant, and it can get scratches, which can easily dull out its shine with the smallest friction and incident.
These scratches can help the crystal form cloudiness above the surface within a few years, while it can also be the dullness from oil, dirt, and other product residue buildup.
How To Keep Your Cubic Zirconia Clean?
To keep your cubic zirconia clean, you can always follow the preventive measures mentioned here:
- Avoiding – Avoiding harsh chemicals like chlorine and bleach while wearing the cubic zirconia jewelry is recommended, while you must also resist its exposure to perfumes, hairsprays, and lotions.
- Cleaning – Frequent cleaning with gentle soap, warm water, and a soft brush is ideal, while making sure to rinse and dry it thoroughly.
- Storing – It is a good idea to store the jewelry in a separate container away from other jewelry pieces while keeping it dry and cool.
Final Words
At the end of the day, your cubic zirconia crystal on any kind of jewelry will not tarnish, but if you are not careful about picking the base metal for setting, then it can still tarnish and the jewelry will look bad.
With that, we have reached the end of this article, and we hope you have the detailed answer to your question – Does cubic zirconia tarnish?
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does cubic zirconia tarnish?
- No, cubic zirconia is a synthetic crystal and crystals don’t go through the classic tarnishing process.
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How long does cubic zirconia last?
- With proper care, cubic zirconia jewelry can last for many years. However, the stone may gradually lose some of its brilliance over time due to scratches, residue buildup, and regular wear.
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Can cubic zirconia be worn in a shower?
- While cubic zirconia jewelry can generally handle occasional exposure to water, wearing it in the shower is not recommended. Soap, shampoo, and other chemicals may leave residue on the stone and can also affect certain metal settings or plating over time.
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