What Are Little Fake Diamonds Called? Sparkle Without the Price Tag

The Most Common Name: Cubic Zirconia

Let’s cut straight to it — the most widely used name for little fake diamonds is cubic zirconia, often abbreviated as CZ. If you've ever bought costume jewelry from the mall or browsed rings online under $50, you’ve definitely seen it.

Cubic zirconia stones are synthetic, meaning they're lab-made, not mined. They're super affordable, pretty convincing at a glance, and come in all sizes — especially tiny ones used in dainty rings, earrings, and tennis bracelets.

Why CZ is so popular

• Sparkles like a diamond (well, close enough)

• Way cheaper (like, ridiculously cheaper)

• Can be cut into any shape or size

• Doesn't scratch as easily as glass

That said, if you look closely (especially under light), it doesn’t have the same fire or depth as a real diamond. But hey, for a night out or travel jewelry? Totally worth it.

Other Fake Diamond Names You Should Know

Rhinestones

Rhinestones are kind of the OG fake diamonds. They’re typically made from glass, acrylic, or crystal, and are often glued into cheaper jewelry.

They're commonly found in:

• Costume earrings

• Dance costumes

• Phone cases (remember those bedazzled ones?)

Rhinestones shine more than they sparkle. There's a difference. They’re more glittery than “firey” — and honestly, sometimes they fall off if you sneeze too hard. Just saying.

Moissanite: The high-end “fake”

Okay, this one’s a bit controversial — because moissanite isn't exactly a "fake" diamond. It's a real gemstone, just not a diamond. But it's often used instead of diamonds because:

• It looks shockingly similar

• It’s almost as hard (second only to diamonds)

• It has even more brilliance in some lighting

So yeah, if someone says their ring is moissanite, it’s not a cheap knockoff — it’s a conscious alternative.

Synthetic or Lab-Grown Diamonds

Here’s where it gets tricky. Lab-grown diamonds are technically real diamonds, just not formed in the earth. Chemically, physically, optically — they’re the same as natural diamonds. But they can be much cheaper and more eco-friendly.

So if you’re talking fake-fake, lab diamonds don’t count. But people sometimes lump them in out of confusion.

What About “Diamond Simulant”?

This is a catch-all term. Diamond simulants are stones that look like diamonds but aren’t — this includes:

• Cubic zirconia

• Moissanite

• White sapphire

• Glass or crystal

Basically, if it mimics a diamond and isn’t one? That’s a simulant.

A Quick Anecdote: My First “Diamond” Bracelet

I once bought a tennis bracelet from a street vendor in Barcelona — super sparkly, very cute, €10. Wore it to a dinner, got compliments like crazy. Felt like a million bucks.

Later, I found out it was cubic zirconia on plated brass. Did I care? Nope. Still wear it sometimes. The sparkle-per-euro ratio? Off the charts.

How to Tell If It’s a Fake Diamond

If you're unsure whether your little sparkly stone is a real diamond or a simulant, try this:

• Fog test: Breathe on it. Real diamonds won’t stay fogged for more than a second. Fakes do.

• Look under light: Diamonds reflect both white and rainbow light. Simulants often overdo the rainbow.

• Scratch test: Real diamonds scratch glass. But... maybe don’t try this unless you're okay with ruining a window.

(Or just take it to a jeweler — seriously, they can tell you in 30 seconds.)

Final Thoughts: Little Fake Diamonds, Big Shine

So, what are little fake diamonds called?

• Cubic zirconia is your main answer

• Rhinestones for the ultra-budget sparkle

• Moissanite for a luxe-but-not-diamond option

• Diamond simulants as a general category

Not everyone needs or wants real diamonds. And honestly, with how good some fakes look today? No shame in rocking a little sparkle without draining your bank account. Shine on, budget queen (or king).

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.