The center stone is what people notice first, so it's the part of a replica ring most people ask about. Here's how the three stones used in replica rings compare, and how we decide which one goes in your Mirroring.
The short answer
Every Mirroring is set with moissanite or cubic zirconia. You don't have to choose: we pick whichever makes your ring look most like the original, based on its shape, size and setting, and it's all one price. Side stones and colored stones may be laboratory-grown stones. A laboratory-grown diamond is available only when you ask for one, with a separate quote agreed before your order.
Cubic zirconia (CZ)
CZ is a lab-made crystal that has been used to imitate diamonds for decades. It's optically clear, cuts beautifully into every shape from round to marquise, and gives a bright, white sparkle that reads as "diamond" in photos and across a room.
- Hardness: about 8–8.5 on the Mohs scale. Durable for travel wear, though it can show fine scratches over years of daily wear.
- Look: a crisp, white sparkle with slightly less fire than diamond.
- Where it shines: fancy shapes and very large center stones, where an exact size and cut matter most.
Moissanite
Moissanite is a lab-created gemstone with a higher refractive index than diamond, which means it throws more fire: those rainbow flashes you see in sunlight.
- Hardness: 9.25 on the Mohs scale, just below diamond, so it resists scratching very well.
- Look: very bright, with more colorful fire than a diamond, especially in strong sunlight.
- Where it shines: classic shapes and settings where long-term durability matters.
Laboratory-grown diamond
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, chemically and physically the same as mined ones, and score 10 on the Mohs scale. They cost considerably more, and for a ring designed to protect your original on the road, most people don't need one.
If you'd like your Mirroring to double as a permanent piece of fine jewelry, message us and we'll quote a lab-grown diamond for your design.
Side by side
| Stone | Hardness (Mohs) | Sparkle | In a Mirroring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cubic zirconia | 8–8.5 | Bright, white | Included |
| Moissanite | 9.25 | Very bright, colorful fire | Included |
| Lab-grown diamond | 10 | Diamond | By request, quoted separately |
How we choose your stone
When your photos arrive, we look at your stone's shape, size, cut and setting, then choose the material that will look closest to it. A large marquise or an elongated cushion, for example, may be best matched in one material, while a classic round brilliant may be best in the other. You'll see the stone in your CAD design and approve everything before we make your ring.
Because these are diamond simulants, the sparkle and weight of your Mirroring may differ slightly from your original, especially side by side in direct light. In everyday wear and in photos, the goal is a ring that looks like yours.
Colored stones
Sapphire, emerald, ruby, morganite or any color you describe are included. Colored stones are simulated or laboratory-grown unless we quote otherwise.
Caring for your stone
- Take your ring off before showering, swimming, exercising or sleeping.
- Keep lotions, sunscreen and perfume off the stone. They leave a film that dulls the sparkle.
- Clean it gently with warm water, a drop of mild soap and a soft brush, then dry it with a soft cloth.
Ready to start?
Start your Mirroring with a few photos of your ring. We'll choose the stone that matches it best, and you'll approve your CAD design before anything is made. Questions? See our FAQ.
