How to Clean Cubic Zirconia Jewellery and Make It Sparkle Again

Sculpted Tide Hoop Earrings with cubic zirconia

Short answer: cubic zirconia usually loses its sparkle because of a thin film of skin oil, lotion and soap on the back of the stone, not because the stone itself has changed. To bring it back, wipe or briefly dip the piece in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap, gently clean behind the stones with a very soft brush, rinse, and dry with a lint-free cloth. Avoid harsh cleaners, toothpaste and ultrasonic machines, especially on plated or pavé pieces.

What is cubic zirconia?

Cubic zirconia (often shortened to CZ) is a lab-created stone that's cut to sparkle brightly. It's hard and durable, at around 8 to 8.5 on the Mohs scale, which is why it's so popular for everyday rings, earrings and pendants. It isn't the same as a diamond or a lab-grown diamond, but with simple care it keeps its fire for a long time.

Why cubic zirconia looks cloudy or dull

A stone sparkles when light enters from the top, bounces around inside and returns to your eye. When the back of the stone is coated with oil, moisturiser, sunscreen or soap residue, that light leaks out instead, and the stone looks flat or cloudy. Pavé settings, where many small stones sit close together, collect residue especially quickly.

Common culprits:

  • Hand cream, sunscreen and hand sanitiser
  • Soap and shampoo from wearing jewellery in the shower
  • Natural skin oils, especially on rings and earring backs
  • Hairspray and perfume on earrings and necklaces

How to clean cubic zirconia jewellery

  1. Mix lukewarm water with a drop of mild, fragrance-free dish soap.
  2. Clean the stones: on solid metal pieces, dip briefly and use a very soft brush kept only for jewellery to clean behind and around the stones. On plated pieces, use a soft cloth or cotton bud dampened in the soapy water instead, and avoid scrubbing the metal.
  3. Rinse with a cloth dampened in clean water, or a quick dip.
  4. Dry thoroughly with a soft, lint-free cloth. Water spots can also dull sparkle.
  5. Buff gently with a dry cloth to bring back the shine.

If the piece includes pearls, mother-of-pearl or natural stones, clean those parts separately with a damp cloth only. See how to care for natural stone jewellery.

What to avoid

  • Toothpaste and baking soda: abrasive on metal and plating. Read which viral cleaning hacks cause damage.
  • Bleach, chlorine and household cleaners: can discolour metal and weaken settings.
  • Ultrasonic cleaners: vibrations can loosen small or glued stones in pavé and fashion jewellery.
  • Silver dips: too harsh for plated finishes and mixed-material pieces.

How to keep the sparkle longer

  • Last on, first off: put jewellery on after skincare and perfume, and take it off before showering, swimming, the gym and cleaning. See can you shower, sleep or work out in your jewellery?
  • Wipe after wearing, especially rings, which collect hand cream and sanitiser all day.
  • Store pieces separately: cubic zirconia is hard enough to scratch softer stones, pearls and metal finishes, so keep pieces apart in a pouch or jewellery roll.
  • Check settings now and then: look for loose stones or bent claws, and stop wearing a piece if a stone feels loose.

Quick refresh before a special occasion

Heading to a Christmas party, a wedding or the races? Ten minutes before you go: wipe your pieces with a cloth dampened in mild soapy water, dry them well, and buff with a clean, dry cloth. Your stones will look noticeably brighter in photos.

Frequently asked questions

Does cubic zirconia go cloudy over time?

Most cloudiness comes from residue on the back of the stone, which cleans off. Over many years, heavy wear can also leave fine surface scratches, so storing pieces separately and wiping them after wear helps.

Can I use glass cleaner on cubic zirconia?

It's best not to. Many household cleaners contain ammonia or other chemicals that can damage plating and settings. Mild soap and water is safer and works well.

How often should I clean my cubic zirconia jewellery?

Wipe it after each wear and give it a gentle soapy clean every few weeks, or before a special occasion.

For more ways to look after your pieces, visit our Jewellery Care Guide.