Is black zirconium or precious inlay harder wearing?

Neither. Both sit at Mohs 8.5, so they will wear at much the same rate.

Precious inlay, at 7.2 g/cm³ against 6.5. That is 1.1 times the weight, which is very obvious on the hand rather than a technicality.

Neither. Both are replaced free for life rather than resized, because neither metal can be worked once it is finished.

Precious inlay, starting at £345 against £245. That is about 41% more before any stone or inlay.

Only Precious inlay. Black zirconium is not a precious metal, so no hallmark exists for it.

Comparison

Black zirconium or Precious inlay?

Both are hard enough that daily wear will not show, so the decision comes down to weight, colour and what you want to spend.

	Black zirconium	Precious inlay
Surface hardness	Mohs 8.5	Mohs 8.5
Density	6.5 g/cm³	7.2 g/cm³
Resizable	Replaced free	Replaced free
Hallmarked	Not applicable	Yes
Hypoallergenic	Yes	Yes
Price from	£245	£345

What the difference actually feels like

Precious inlay is 1.1 times the weight of black zirconium for the same ring. On paper that is a number; on the hand it is the difference between a ring you forget about and one you are aware of every time you move. Neither is better. It is worth knowing which you want before you spend anything.

Both share the same surface hardness, so they will age at the same rate.

The straight answer

Choose black zirconium if anyone who has had a plated black ring wear through, or if manual work.

Choose precious inlay if wanting gold without a gold budget, or if mixing metals with a partner's ring.

Still torn? The metal chooser asks six questions and picks one, and it will tell you if neither of these is right.

In both materials

Rings to look at

Multi toned

Relieved black

Black cut back to bright metal along both edges.

From £315 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 mm

Multi toned

Twin groove

Two tones divided by a V cut around the centre.

From £315 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 mm

Truly unique

Hammered black

Struck by hand, so the facets never land twice the same way.

From £330 6 / 7 / 8 mm

Common questions

Is black zirconium or precious inlay harder wearing?: Neither. Both sit at Mohs 8.5, so they will wear at much the same rate.
Which is heavier?: Precious inlay, at 7.2 g/cm³ against 6.5. That is 1.1 times the weight, which is very obvious on the hand rather than a technicality.
Can both be resized?: Neither. Both are replaced free for life rather than resized, because neither metal can be worked once it is finished.
Which costs more?: Precious inlay, starting at £345 against £245. That is about 41% more before any stone or inlay.
Are both hallmarked?: Only Precious inlay. Black zirconium is not a precious metal, so no hallmark exists for it.