When it comes to creating a standout look on stage, sparkle is everything. But if you've ever costed up a full dance costume, you'll know that crystals can quickly add up.
That's why so many designers, dancers and dressmakers are now searching for budget rhinestones for dance costumes that still deliver on quality and shine.
The good news? You don't have to compromise.
At Crystal Parade, our Zodiac and Luna ranges are the two most popular choices for affordable dance costume crystals, offering fantastic sparkle at a much more accessible price point.
Let's take a look at a price comparison between premium brands* and more affordable bands. We'll use SS20 as an example as this size is popular for freestyle, ballroom, Latin, and ice skating. As well as size SS34, which is commonly used for Irish dance:
| SWAROVSKI | PRECIOSA | ZODIAC | LUNA | |
| SS20 (5mm) AB | £106.38 | £64.65 | £47.67 | £15 |
| SS20 (5mm) COLOUR | £91.74 | £57.13 | £47.67 | £16.65 |
| SS34 (7mm) AB | £60.84 | £32.64 | £24.74 | £13 |
| SS34 (7mm) COLOUR | £52.56 | £31.58 | £22 | £20 |
*All prices shown are correct as of March 2026. Prices are Vat exclusive and relate to Non Hotfix Wholesale packs.
As we can see, in every colour and size option, Zodiac and Luna are far more cost effective than the top 2 brands.
Why budget rhinestones are perfect for dance costumes
Dance costumes often require hundreds – sometimes thousands – of crystals. Whether it's Irish dance, ballroom, gymnastics, cheerleading, ice skating, freestyle or other stage performance, you need strong sparkle under bright lights.
Using budget dance rhinestones allows you to:
- Cover larger areas without overspending
- Add more detail and dimension to your design for a lower cost
- Keep costs manageable, especially if you have multiple costumes to embellish
And most importantly, you can still achieve that high-impact stage look. Let's take a closer look at the two main affordable rhinestone brands.
ZODIAC CRYSTALS
Zodiac Crystals – Excellent quality and great sparkle. Zodiac was introduced as the best alternative to Swarovski, and mimics the cut and quality of the more well-known brand. Zodiac crystals have quickly become a favourite within the dance world, and for good reason.
Quality
Zodiac crystals are made from cut glass, not acrylic, which means they offer a strong, bright sparkle. They are designed with the same cut style to Swarovski, giving you that professional finish dancers are looking for.
They also feature:
- Durable foil backing, offering a stronger bond with fabric
- Scratch proof coating – important for storing and washing embellished items
- Consistency in colour, shape and sizes
- Huge range of colours, including different coatings and effects
- Extensive product range ideal for dancewear, including flatbacks, hotfix, pearls, shapes and sew on stones.
- Reliable adhesion when applied correctly
When it comes to rhinestones for competition costumes, this level of quality is really important. You need stones that stay in place and continue to shine time after time.
Price
One of the biggest advantages of Zodiac is the price. They are significantly more cost effective than premium brands, making them ideal for larger projects (see price comparison table above).
This means you can:
- Use more crystals for full coverage
- Experiment with different sizes and colours
- Stay within budget without sacrificing sparkle
Colour choice
Zodiac offers a wide and ever-growing colour range, including:
- Classic Clear and AB (perfect for stage lighting)
- Bright bold shades for freestyle and festival looks
- Metallics and special coatings to add texture and depth to the design
With over 80 colours and effects available, it's easy to find the perfect match for your costume.
Best for:
- Irish dance dresses
- Ballroom and Latin dancewear
- Drag and burlesque outfits
- Stage and theatre costumes
- Designers creating high-impact competition pieces
Zodiac is a brilliant all-rounder and one of the best options for affordable dance costume crystals.
LUNA RHINESTONES
Luna Rhinestones – Budget friendly and great value stones, ideal for large coverage or bulk embellishment projects such as multiple costumes. Luna is fast becoming the go-to brand for affordable rhinestones in the UK. If you're looking for a more budget friendly option than Zodiac, Luna rhinestones are a fantastic choice.
Quality
Luna offers a good level of sparkle that sparkles beautifully under stage lighting. While they are a step below Zodiac in terms of precision cut, they still provide a lovely finish, especially when used in larger quantities.
They are ideal for:
- Filling large areas for maximum impact
- Practice or backup costumes
- Experimenting with different colours
- Stoning multiple costumes on a budget
Price
Luna is our most low cost option, making it perfect if you're working to a tighter budget (see price comparison table above).
For dancers, parents and costume makers, this means:
- You can create full crystal coverage at a lower cost
- You don't have to limit your design ideas
- Great value when buying in bulk
If you're searching for cheap rhinestones for dance costumes, Luna is a great place to start.
Colour choice
Luna offers a huge selection of colours, including the most popular Clear and AB. As well as standard colours from jewel tones, bright neons and pastel shades, to opal, metallic, multi-tone and shimmer coatings.
Best for:
- Beginner and intermediate costumes
- Group or team outfits
- Practice costumes
- Large designs where budget is key
Luna makes it easy to achieve a sparkly finish without overspending.
Zodiac vs Luna – which should you choose?
Both Zodiac and Luna are excellent options for budget dance rhinestones, but the right choice depends on your project.
- Choose Zodiac if you want higher sparkle, more choice for sew on stones and a premium look at a cost effective price.
- Choose Luna if you need a more budget friendly option for larger coverage.
Many designers actually use a mix of both – using Zodiac for key focal areas or adding an extra dimension with sew on shapes, and Luna to fill out the rest and bulk up the sparkle.
Final thoughts
Creating stunning rhinestones for competition costumes doesn't have to cost a fortune.
With Zodiac and Luna, you can achieve incredible sparkle, strong durability and beautiful designs, all while keeping your budget under control.
If you're not sure which to choose, we're always happy to help – and you can request samples to see the difference for yourself.
Because when those stage lights hit, it's all about the sparkle!