If you’re considering cubic zirconia jewelry, one of the most common questions is whether it will tarnish over time. The short answer is no—the cubic zirconia stone itself does not tarnish. However, the metal setting that holds the stone is a different story . This guide explains exactly what tarnishes, what doesn’t, and how to keep your CZ jewelry looking its best.
The Stone vs. The Setting: What Tarnishes?
To understand whether cubic zirconia jewelry will tarnish, you need to separate the stone from its setting.
Cubic Zirconia Stones Do Not Tarnish
CZ is a man-made gemstone created from zirconium dioxide in a controlled laboratory environment . Because it is a stone—not a metal—it does not oxidize, corrode, or turn black when exposed to air or moisture. The stone itself is highly resistant to tarnishing and discoloration . Explore our premium loose CZ collection to see the quality we offer.
Metal Settings Can Tarnish
What can change over time is the metal the stone is set in. Tarnish occurs when certain metals react with air, moisture, sweat, or chemicals. Common setting metals and their tarnish risk:
| Metal Setting | Tarnish Risk |
|---|---|
| Stainless Steel | Highly tarnish-resistant; protective chromium oxide layer prevents oxidation |
| Sterling Silver | Can tarnish over time; reacts with air and moisture |
| Gold-Plated / Brass | Prone to tarnishing; plating can wear off, exposing base metal |
| Solid Gold / Platinum | Minimal tarnish risk; high-quality metals resist corrosion |
What Causes the Metal Setting to Tarnish?
Several factors can cause the metal in your cubic zirconia jewelry to lose its luster:
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Exposure to Chemicals: Perfumes, lotions, hairsprays, soaps, and household cleaners can cause metal to tarnish over time. Chlorinated water and seawater are also culprits.
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Moisture and Humidity: Prolonged exposure to water and humid environments accelerates tarnishing, especially in sterling silver and brass.
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Sweat and Skin Oils: Daily wear exposes jewelry to natural skin oils and sweat, which can break down cheap plating and cause metal reactions.
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Improper Storage: Storing jewelry in open air or humid spaces increases exposure to moisture and air, speeding up tarnish.
Will Cubic Zirconia Jewelry Turn Green?
No—cubic zirconia itself will not turn green or cause your skin to turn green. If you notice a green tint on your finger while wearing CZ jewelry, the cause is almost always the metal setting, not the stone.
This typically happens with lower-quality metals like brass or copper alloys, which oxidize and react with the oils in your skin. To avoid this, choose cubic zirconia jewelry set in high-quality metals such as:
-
Sterling silver
-
Stainless steel
-
Solid gold
-
Platinum
-
Titanium
For jewelry brands and designers, we offer wholesale CZ with consistent quality for your collections.
How to Prevent Tarnishing and Maintain Your Jewelry
While cubic zirconia stones don’t tarnish, proper care is essential to protect the metal setting and preserve the stone’s sparkle.
1. Remove Jewelry Before Certain Activities
-
Swimming and Showering: Chlorinated water and soaps can affect the metal setting and leave residue on the stone.
-
Exercise and Chores: Sweat and cleaning chemicals can accelerate tarnishing.
-
Het aanbrengen van cosmetica: Put on lotions, perfumes, and hairspray before putting on your jewelry.
2. Clean Regularly
Clean your cubic zirconia jewelry every one to two weeks using:
-
Warm water and mild dish soap
-
A soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub around the stone and setting
-
Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth
3. Store Properly
-
Keep pieces in a fabric-lined jewelry box or soft pouch
-
Store separately to prevent scratches
-
Use anti-tarnish bags to minimize exposure to air and moisture
The Stone vs. The Setting: What Tarnishes?
To understand whether cubic zirconia jewelry will tarnish, you need to separate the stone from its setting.
Cubic Zirconia Stones Do Not Tarnish
Cubic zirconia is a man-made gemstone created from zirconium dioxide in a controlled laboratory environment. Because it is a stone—not a metal—it does not oxidize, corrode, or turn black when exposed to air or moisture. The stone itself is highly resistant to tarnishing and discoloration.
Metal Settings Can Tarnish
What can change over time is the metal the stone is set in. Tarnish occurs when certain metals react with air, moisture, sweat, or chemicals. Common setting metals and their tarnish risk:
| Metal Setting | Tarnish Risk |
|---|---|
| Stainless Steel | Highly tarnish-resistant; protective chromium oxide layer prevents oxidation |
| Sterling Silver | Can tarnish over time; reacts with air and moisture |
| Gold-Plated / Brass | Prone to tarnishing; plating can wear off, exposing base metal |
| Solid Gold / Platinum | Minimal tarnish risk; high-quality metals resist corrosion |
What Causes the Metal Setting to Tarnish?
Several factors can cause the metal in your cubic zirconia jewelry to lose its luster:
-
Exposure to Chemicals: Perfumes, lotions, hairsprays, soaps, and household cleaners can cause metal to tarnish over time. Chlorinated water and seawater are also culprits.
-
Moisture and Humidity: Prolonged exposure to water and humid environments accelerates tarnishing, especially in sterling silver and brass.
-
Sweat and Skin Oils: Daily wear exposes jewelry to natural skin oils and sweat, which can break down cheap plating and cause metal reactions.
-
Improper Storage: Storing jewelry in open air or humid spaces increases exposure to moisture and air, speeding up tarnish.
Will Cubic Zirconia Jewelry Turn Green?
No—cubic zirconia itself will not turn green or cause your skin to turn green. If you notice a green tint on your finger while wearing CZ jewelry, the cause is almost always the metal setting, not the stone.
This typically happens with lower-quality metals like brass or copper alloys, which oxidize and react with the oils in your skin. To avoid this, choose cubic zirconia jewelry set in high-quality metals such as:
-
Sterling silver
-
Stainless steel
-
Solid gold
-
Platinum
-
Titanium
How to Prevent Tarnishing and Maintain Your Jewelry
While cubic zirconia stones don’t tarnish, proper care is essential to protect the metal setting and preserve the stone’s sparkle.
1. Remove Jewelry Before Certain Activities
-
Swimming and Showering: Chlorinated water and soaps can affect the metal setting and leave residue on the stone.
-
Exercise and Chores: Sweat and cleaning chemicals can accelerate tarnishing.
-
Het aanbrengen van cosmetica: Put on lotions, perfumes, and hairspray before putting on your jewelry.
2. Clean Regularly
Clean your cubic zirconia jewelry every one to two weeks using:
-
Warm water and mild dish soap
-
A soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub around the stone and setting
-
Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth
3. Store Properly
-
Keep pieces in a fabric-lined jewelry box or soft pouch
-
Store separately to prevent scratches
-
Use anti-tarnish bags to minimize exposure to air and moisture






