The production of cement leads to a large amount of CO₂ emission. Using industrial waste slag, such as ceramic polishing powder (PP), to replace part of Portland cement can reduce the pollution caused by the cement industry and solid waste disposal. In order to use PP as a replacement for cement, its effects on the properties of cement paste need to be clarified. In this study, the effect of PP on the nucleation and growth of hydrates in cement paste at very early ages was investigated. Quartz was used as a reference. The interactions of their surface with various ions in cement paste solution, which has an important effect on the nucleation and growth of hydrates, were studied by using the zeta potential test. The morphology of the nucleus and crystal of hydrates was investigated by using SEM. The zeta potential measurements showed that the affinity of the surface of PP and quartz to ions in the pore solution of cement paste is similar. The image of SEM indicated that there is also not much difference in the crystallization of hydrates on the surfaces of PP and quartz. These evidences suggested that PP has similar surface charge properties as quartz, and its effects on the properties of cement paste are the same as that of quartz. From the viewpoint of the effect on very early hydration, PP can be used in cement paste, similar to quartz power.