Cubic Zirconia Beads

Frequently asked questions

• What is cubic zirconia?

  Cubic zirconia (CZ) is zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂) grown in a laboratory using the skull-melt process — a method developed in the 1970s that produces clear, internally flawless crystals by melting zirconium oxide at temperatures above 2,700°C and allowing it to cool into a single crystalline mass. The rough is then cut and faceted into beads. CZ is Mohs 8.0–8.5, has a high refractive index, and takes a clean polish that holds a sharp flash of light even at small bead sizes. It is a lab-created material, not a natural gemstone — every CZ bead in Dakota's catalog is lab-grown.
• Is cubic zirconia the same as diamond?

  No. Cubic zirconia is zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂); diamond is carbon. They are chemically and structurally different materials. Diamond is Mohs 10; CZ is Mohs 8.0–8.5. Synthetic (lab-grown) diamond is chemically identical to mined diamond — it is still carbon. Cubic zirconia is a separate material that resembles diamond visually but is sold as a simulant, not as diamond. The price difference reflects the material difference.
• Is the color in cubic zirconia dyed?

  No. Color in cubic zirconia comes from metal-oxide dopants added during the lab-growth process — chromium for green, neodymium or erbium for pink, cerium for yellow, copper for blue. The color is intrinsic to the crystal structure, not a surface dye or coating. CZ colors do not fade with cleaning, do not shift under UV exposure, and do not leach into adjacent materials. This is structurally different from the dye-based color often applied to natural stones like agate or quartz.
• How durable is cubic zirconia for daily wear?

  Mohs 8.0–8.5 — durable enough for any jewelry application, including rings, bracelets, and necklaces. CZ is non-porous, holds a clean polish over time, and tolerates standard cleaning (soft cloth with mild soap; ultrasonic and steam cleaning are generally safe). The one care note: faceted edges can chip on hard impact against harder materials (sapphire, ruby, diamond), so store separately from those stones to avoid edge wear over years of use.
• What sizes and shapes does Dakota carry?

  Our active CZ inventory centers on 2mm and 3mm faceted rounds — accent and spacer sizes used between larger gemstone beads or in pavé-style components. A small number of strands are available at 2×3mm rondelle, 6mm, and 7mm. Round faceted is the dominant cut. Full size availability is filterable in the grid above; designers replenishing an existing design can confirm exact strand specifications on each listing.