If you're new to the world of rhinestones, welcome! Whether you've seen sparkly nail art on Instagram, fully embellished dance costumes on stage, or bedazzled clothing and crafts at a fair – decorating with rhinestones is a fun and creative way to bring your ideas to life.
But when you're just getting started, the choice of brands, colours and shapes can feel a bit overwhelming. And let's be honest – no one wants to spend a fortune on their first rhinestone project. That's where we can help. We've got a great range of quality, affordable rhinestones that are perfect for beginners, without breaking the bank.
What Are the Best Rhinestones for Beginners?
When you're starting out in embellishment for the first time, the best rhinestones for beginners are ones that offer good quality, a decent colour range and a price that makes experimenting feel safe – especially if you're still practising or testing out ideas.
Whether you're putting together a starter rhinestone kit for crafts, nail art or costume embellishment, you'll want rhinestones that sparkle beautifully, are easy to apply, and don't cost the earth. Luckily, we've got two fantastic brands that tick all of those boxes: Luna and Zodiac.
Luna Crystals: Try More Colours for Less
Luna is the perfect choice for beginners who want to experiment with colours and effects without spending too much. They're ideal rhinestones for crafts such as cardmaking, scrapbooking, blinging fashion accessories, dancewear, costume design and more.
Luna flatback crystals are fantastic value and come in a wide range of shades, so you can try out different combinations and styles before committing to a larger project. They're also great if you're just building up your starter rhinestone kit and want a variety of colours on hand. Choose from bright and bold colours of the rainbow, traditional and elegant jewel tones, and of course, the classic Clear and AB – the two most popular colours. Luna rhinestones are also available in a huge range of special effects, such as metallic, neon, multi-tone, shimmer and opal effect.
If you're looking to add sparkle to your performance costume, upcycle an old handbag, or personalise home décor – Luna is a brilliant place to start.
Zodiac Crystals: Premium Quality at an Affordable Price
If you're dreaming of that high-end Swarovski sparkle but not ready for the price tag, Zodiac is your go-to brand. Developed exclusively by Crystal Parade, Zodiac Crystals offer amazing brilliance and durability, at a fraction of the cost.
Zodiac rhinestones are made from cut glass with a scratch-resistant coating and strong foil backing, making them ideal for more demanding projects. For dressmakers, costumiers, or performers who want to make an impact on stage, Zodiac sew on stones are the perfect alternative to Swarovski. The shapes, colours and sparkle are incredibly close, and the price makes large-scale embellishment much more achievable.
Zodiac for Nail Art: Our Top Pick for Beginners
For nail artists just starting out, we always recommend Zodiac Clear and AB rhinestones. These are the most popular colours in the nail industry – they go with everything, reflect light beautifully, and bring a luxurious expensive feel to your manicure. They're also a great choice if you're creating your first rhinestone nail art and want to practise crystal placement and design techniques. With their excellent quality and affordable pricing, you can build up your crystal kit without compromising on sparkle.
Zodiac pearls and flatback crystal shapes are also a great choice for nail art; like with the rhinestones, there is a huge colour choice and a fantastic range of different shapes too. Nail artists like to elevate their nails by adding a feature shape, so for a very small cost, you can completely change the dynamic of the design, or create a theme.
Tips for Starting Your First Rhinestone Project
Not sure where to begin? Here are a few quick tips:
- Choose a small item to start with – a compact mirror, phone case or basic manicure is perfect.
- Pick one or two colours that work well together – Clear and AB are always a safe bet. However, if you want to experiment with lots of different colours, try our crystal mixes.
- Use the right tools – a good quality glue (such as gem tac), a rhinestone picker (a great budget option is the wax pencil), and a clean work surface make all the difference.
- Take a look at our handy guides – we have a huge collection of blogs which include step-by-step tutorials, project ideas, handy tips and design inspiration.
And if you're stuck, feel free to get in touch – we're always happy to help you choose the right products for your project.
Ready to Get Started?
You don't need to spend a fortune to create something fabulous. With Luna and Zodiac crystals, you can try new ideas, build your confidence, and enjoy the creative process – all without going over budget.
Visit our website to explore our range of beginner-friendly rhinestones and tools, or get in touch if you'd like help building your starter rhinestone kit.