Cubic zirconia is a man-made stone created in a controlled environment under intense heat. "Cubic" comes from the symmetry of its crystals, while "zirconia" refers to its chemical composition (zirconium oxide).

It was originally created in the 1970s for use in laser technology. But people quickly noticed that it looked almost identical to a diamond, so this sparkling stone soon started appearing on jewellery pieces.

Cubic zirconia scores an 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale , which means it's highly durable. For comparison, diamonds sit at the top of the scale at a 10, while pearls are typically rated 2.5-4.

As it's created in a lab, cubic zirconia looks flawless, without any dents or imperfections on the surface. On the other hand, genuine mined diamonds are formed by nature over thousands of years and naturally come with flaws. By comparison, lab-grown diamonds are created by replicating nature's process above ground and are optically, chemically, thermally and physically identical to mined diamonds, so they can also have flaws or "inclusions".

Colourless diamonds are the most highly prized. They're rated on a colour-grading scale of D to Z (D being the most colourless). Any colour grade above J looks completely clear to the naked eye. A clear cubic zirconia stone would fall within the "D" rating.

Cubic zirconia comes in many other colours, too. Metal oxides can be added to create almost any colour you can think of. At Pandora, we use a rainbow of coloured cubic zirconia stones, from icy blues to fiery reds and soft pinks.

Cubic zirconia stones have less brilliance than diamonds, which means they reflect less white light.

For when you really want to make an impact, go for statement pieces with plenty of embellishments. The more sparkle, the better! Think chunky solitaire rings with bold-coloured stones, sparkling drop earrings and a tennis bracelet stack.

Weave cubic zirconia into your everyday looks by choosing subtle pieces for a hint of sparkle. Think one or two pavé stacking rings, stud earrings and a bracelet charm.

Even if you've had your cubic zirconia jewellery for years, you can keep it looking shiny and new by following our cleaning tips:

Gently brush your jewellery with warm, soapy water using circular motions.

Ultrasonic cleaners should be used with caution -- sonic waves can loosen stones from their setting.

When you're not wearing your cubic zirconia pieces, store them separately from other jewellery to avoid scratches and keep them clean.