---
title: "What is the best cut for cubic zirconia? Measured"
description: "For the most light, the round brilliant is the best cut for cubic zirconia in our ray traces."
url: https://digitalgemology.com/learn/answers/best-cut-for-cubic-zirconia
image: https://digitalgemology.com/img/og-digital-gemology.png?v=d224fb01
---

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[Learn](https://digitalgemology.com/learn) · [Answers](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/answers)

# What is the best cut for cubic zirconia?

From our own measurements · updated 2026-11-09

**For the most light, the round brilliant is the best cut for cubic zirconia in our ray traces.** It returns the most light of the ten classic shapes: brilliance 98 out of 100. The cushion (88) and the trilliant (84) come next. Of the ten shapes in cubic zirconia, the oval scores highest for fire: 96, the round brilliant 87.

**Brilliance, fire and scintillation of the ten classic shapes in cubic zirconia, out of 100, ranked by brilliance**

| Shape | Brilliance | Fire | Scintillation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Round brilliant](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/cubic-zirconia/t73-round-brilliant) | 98 | 87 | 80 |
| [Cushion](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/cubic-zirconia/cushion) | 88 | 87 | 85 |
| [Trilliant](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/cubic-zirconia/trilliant) | 84 | 94 | 79 |
| [Asscher](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/cubic-zirconia/asscher) | 74 | 88 | 72 |
| [Marquise](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/cubic-zirconia/marquise) | 66 | 93 | 86 |
| [Oval](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/cubic-zirconia/oval) | 63 | 96 | 87 |
| [Princess](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/cubic-zirconia/princess) | 63 | 92 | 78 |
| [Emerald cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/cubic-zirconia/emerald-cut) | 59 | 92 | 72 |
| [Pear](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/cubic-zirconia/pear) | 59 | 90 | 76 |
| [Radiant](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/cubic-zirconia/radiant) | 33 | 91 | 74 |

Score out of 100, ranked by brilliance Our model of each shape in cubic zirconia: brilliance and fire ray-traced face-up, scintillation from the facet count. Compare scores only within one gemstone; another cutter's proportions can score higher or lower. [How we measure](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/cut-performance-index)

## Why

Cubic zirconia bends light less than diamond but more than any colored stone we measure. So classic diamond shapes still return much light in it. Its [dispersion](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/dispersion) is higher than diamond's, so it shows strong fire.

Of all 37 cuts we measure in cubic zirconia, our own [DG-Rafaello](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/cubic-zirconia/dg-rafaello) returns the most light: brilliance 100.

Compare any two cuts in the [Cut Performance Wheel](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/cut-performance-wheel), or turn them in light in the [3D Gemstone Simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator).

## Read more

- [Cubic Zirconia 3D models and cutting files](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/cubic-zirconia)

## More answers

- [What is the best cut for moissanite?](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/answers/best-cut-for-moissanite)
- [What is the best cut for a sapphire or a ruby?](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/answers/best-cut-for-sapphire-and-ruby)
- [What is the best cut for an emerald?](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/answers/best-cut-for-emerald)
- [What is the best cut for amethyst?](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/answers/best-cut-for-amethyst)
- [Which diamond shape sparkles the most?](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/answers/which-diamond-shape-sparkles-most)
- [Which diamond shape looks biggest for its carat weight?](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/answers/which-diamond-shape-looks-biggest)
- [Oval or round diamond: which is better?](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/answers/oval-vs-round-diamond)