Swarovski and Austrian crystal vs cubic zirconia: how to tell them apart
What Swarovski and Austrian crystal are, how they differ from cubic zirconia, how to recognise and care for them, and which to choose for day or evening.
A sparkling stone in jewellery can be a crystal or a cubic zirconia. From a distance they look alike, but in the light and in everyday wear they behave differently. Here we explain what Swarovski and Austrian crystal are, how they differ from cubic zirconia and which to choose. Browse our jewellery with Swarovski crystals.
What Swarovski crystal is
Swarovski is an Austrian company, founded by Daniel Swarovski in 1895 in Wattens, Tyrol. Swarovski crystal is specially formulated glass with very precisely cut facets. It is the facets that give it a clean, bright sparkle.
Swarovski used to make lead crystal — in Europe, the name for glass containing at least 24% lead oxide. Since 2012, Swarovski crystal has contained no more than 0.009% lead, so it is considered lead-free.
Is Austrian crystal the same thing?
Swarovski is an Austrian company, so its crystal is also called Austrian crystal — and that is the name we use too.
What cubic zirconia is
Cubic zirconia is laboratory-grown zirconium dioxide. It is neither the natural mineral zircon nor a diamond.
How to tell them apart
- By sparkle. Cubic zirconia refracts light far more strongly than glass — a refractive index of 2.15–2.18 against about 1.5 for glass — and splits it into rainbow colours even more than a diamond does. Crystal's strength is its precise cut and colour.
- By hardness. Glass is about 5.5 on the Mohs scale, cubic zirconia 8–8.5. Crystal is softer, so keep it away from hard surfaces and other jewellery.
Which to choose
- For every day — cubic zirconia. It is hard and copes well with daily wear, which makes it a good choice for rings and studs. Cubic zirconia jewellery.
- For evenings and celebrations — Swarovski crystal: a precise cut and colour that catch the eye. Earrings with Swarovski crystals.
- As a gift — either: cubic zirconia for every day, Swarovski crystal for celebrations. Our plated jewellery contains no nickel, and our surgical steel is hypoallergenic — suitable for sensitive skin.
How to care for crystal and cubic zirconia
Swarovski recommends taking jewellery off before washing your hands, swimming or using perfume, hairspray, soap or lotions. Do not clean crystal in an ultrasonic cleaner or with cleaning products containing alcohol or ammonia — after wearing, simply wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth. Store each piece in its own pouch to protect the crystal from scratches and its colour from fading in sunlight and heat.
Cubic zirconia itself is hard, so the plating around it is what needs looking after. See our guides to jewellery care and jewellery plating.
Shop jewellery with Swarovski crystals: earrings, necklaces and rings.
Frequently asked questions
Is Swarovski crystal a gemstone?
No. It is specially formulated, precision-cut glass — its appeal lies in the cut and the sparkle, not in a rare mineral.
Is cubic zirconia a real diamond?
No. It is laboratory-grown zirconium dioxide. A diamond is harder, but cubic zirconia shows even more rainbow flashes.
Does Swarovski crystal contain lead?
Practically none: since 2012 it has contained no more than 0.009% lead, so it is considered lead-free.
Can cubic zirconia get scratched?
Not easily: it rates 8–8.5 on the Mohs scale. Harder materials such as sapphire and diamond can scratch it.
