American Diamond Jewellery
American diamond — the Indian retail name for cubic zirconia — hand-set in anti-tarnish 18k gold plating. The brilliance of a diamond set, at a fraction of the cost. 104 pieces, ₹249–₹2,199.
What is American diamond?
“American diamond”, or AD, is the term used across Indian jewellery retail for cubic zirconia — a lab-created stone made from zirconium dioxide. It is not a diamond and is not sold as one; it is a stone in its own right, chosen because it is genuinely brilliant, hard enough to wear daily, and available in a consistent, flawless clarity that natural stones rarely match at any price.
Cut well, AD throws noticeably more fire than a diamond of the same size, because cubic zirconia has higher dispersion. It is why AD reads so beautifully in photographs and under evening light, and why it has become the standard stone for occasion jewellery across India.
How to judge AD quality
- Cut and facet quality. Cheap stones are moulded rather than properly cut and look flat and glassy. Well-cut AD has crisp facet edges and visible fire.
- Setting. Hand-set stones in proper prong or bezel settings sit securely and catch light from more angles. Glued stones fall out.
- Consistency. In a pavé row, every stone should match in size, colour and height.
- The metal around it. The finest stone in thin plating still fails within weeks — plating thickness and an anti-tarnish finish matter as much as the stone.
Caring for AD jewellery
Cubic zirconia attracts oils and dust, which is what makes it look dull long before anything is wrong with it. A wipe with a soft dry cloth restores the sparkle. Never soak AD pieces or use an ultrasonic cleaner — both loosen settings and strip plating.