Origin: Zircon is a natural mineral that is found in ancient mineral sand deposits, while cubic zirconia is synthesized in a lab

Durability: Cubic zirconia is more durable than zircon. Cubic zirconia ranks at 8 to 8.5 on the Mohs scale and is suitable for daily exposure. It does not easily chip, damage or scratch and is quite a hardy stone. Over time, cubic zirconia may tend to get cloudy so regular cleaning will maintain its shine. Zircon, on the other hand, is a much softer stone at 6 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. If your zircon gemstone has a hardness rating below 7, this means that it is easily scratched, even by dust. Zircon is also a brittle stone and is prone to cracking. It is also extremely sensitive to sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet light. Exposing zircon to these types of light can cause the color of the stone to fade or change

Price: Zircon is generally more expensive than cubic zirconia because it is a natural gemstone