When we say our iced-out signature line uses 5A cubic zirconia, it is a deliberate choice, not a euphemism. Here is what the grade means, how it compares to alternatives, and why it is the right stone for the job.

What 5A actually means

Cubic zirconia (CZ) is graded on a quality scale from A to 5A, judged on three things:

  • Cut precision, how accurately the facets are placed
  • Clarity, internal and surface flaws
  • Colour, the absence of yellow or grey tint

5A is the top of the scale. The cuts are machine-precise, the stone is internally flawless to the unaided eye, and the colour is a clean, cool white, comparable to a D-F colour grade in natural diamond.

Most luxury CZ on the market is 3A or 4A. The difference is subtle to a casual buyer but obvious side-by-side: 4A stones have visible cloudiness in strong light; 5A stones do not.

5A CZ vs moissanite vs lab diamond

For our iced-out pieces, we evaluated three options. Each has trade-offs.

5A cubic zirconia

Brilliance: very bright, slightly less fire than moissanite. Price: the most accessible. Hardness: 8.5 on the Mohs scale (sapphire is 9, diamond is 10). Best for: daily-wear pieces where the customer wants the fine-jewellery look without the fine-jewellery price.

VVS moissanite

Brilliance: the most fire of the three, almost rainbow under direct light. Price: 5 to 10 times a comparable 5A CZ. Hardness: 9.25. Best for: heirloom pieces and engagement rings. We offer VVS moissanite as a custom-commission upgrade on request.

Lab-grown diamond

Brilliance: identical to natural diamond. Price: 30 to 50 times a comparable 5A CZ. Hardness: 10. Best for: shoppers who want a true diamond at a sub-natural price point. Available on commission only.

Why we use 5A CZ in the iced-out line

Our signature pieces are designed to be worn, daily, layered, photographed. At those volumes of stone-setting (some pieces hold 200+ stones), using moissanite or lab diamond would push prices into a range that does not match the brief.

5A CZ gets us 90% of the visual impact at 5% of the cost. The result is a piece you will actually put on, not save for special occasions. That is the design intent of the line.

How long does 5A CZ stay sharp?

With sensible care (see our care guide) 5A CZ holds its brilliance for 5+ years of daily wear before any visible dulling. Compared to mid-grade CZ, that is roughly twice the lifespan.

Our lifetime warranty covers stone loss across all materials. If a stone falls out, we re-set it free, same grade, same colour, same cut.

The honest answer

If you want a stone that looks like a diamond at one-thirtieth the price and you are going to wear the piece more than twice a month, 5A CZ is the right answer. If you are commissioning something heirloom-grade for a milestone, ask us about VVS moissanite or a lab diamond upgrade via our custom commission service. Both are on the menu.

Either way, the setting, the warranty, and the care are the same.