Choosing the right rhinestones for your craft project is important; each project needs a specific type of rhinestone that matches its style and purpose. Whether you're decorating clothing with rhinestones, making jewellery, or adding sparkle to dancewear, knowing the different types of rhinestones helps. This blog will help you understand these types and pick the best ones for your projects.
First let's talk about the different types of rhinestones out and which crystal brand they are available in. Everybody in the creative industry has heard of Swarovski Crystals, and most will be familiar with Preciosa Crystals who are Swarovski's biggest competition. There is also another top quality brand called Zodiac Crystals which is giving the other two a run for their money! All three of these brands manufacture the following types of rhinestone:
- Flatback Hotfix – Hotfix or iron on rhinestones are small, sparkly embellishments, also known as iron on crystals, with a heat-activated adhesive on the back. They're commonly used for adding bling to various fabrics and materials. The glue which is incorporated into the foil backing of the rhinestone, means that no additional craft glue is required to attach it. Embellishing with hotfix crystals is easy and quick if you use the correct tools.
- Flatback Non Hotfix – Non hotfix, or glue on, rhinestones are small sparkly embellishments that require glue to be applied to material. Non hotfix rhinestones can be glue onto almost any surface including wood, plastic, metal, glass, fabric, card and many others. Embellishing with non hotfix crystals is a popular way to customise clothes, dancewear and fingernails.
- Pearls – Rhinestone pearls come in many forms, from flatback which can be glued onto a surface, to round and shaped which are generally used in jewellery making. Crystal pearls are artificial and not to be confused with natural pearls.
- Beads – Crystal beads come in various shapes, the most common being Bicone. Bicone beads are popular for jewellery making, craft and crochet projects and bridal couture.
- Sew on Stones – Sew on rhinestones are large flatback crystal or glass embellishments that have two holes drilled into them, allowing them to be sewn onto a garment. Embellishing with sew on stones is a great way to add lots of sparkle to a dress or costume.
- Shapes – Rhinestone shapes are small sparkly flat bottoms crystals that come in different shapes, such as star, heart, leaf, pearshape, navette, raindrop, flame and more. Crystal shapes are popular among nail artists and cardmakers.
Selecting the Right Size
With 16 different sizes in the flatback crystal range, it can be tricky to decide which size to use for your project. And if you require more than one size, this can be trickier still. Refer to our article 'Rhinestone sizes & what they are used for', for a detailed guide, but for now, here is a simple reference chart:
| Flatback Rhinestones | SS2 – SS10 (1.5mm – 3mm) | Nail art, tooth gems |
| SS10 – SS20 (3mm – 5mm) | Craft, cardmaking, intricate embellishment projects, bridal couture | |
| SS16 – SS30 (4mm – 6mm) | Clothing embellishment, freestyle dancewear, ice skating costumes, drag & burlesque costumes, fashion | |
| SS30 – SS48 (6mm – 11.5mm) | Irish dance dresses and accessories, theatre & performance costumes | |
| Pearls | 3mm, 4mm | Nail art, bridal wear, cardmaking |
| 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm | Jewellery making, fashion | |
| Beads | 3mm, 4mm | Delicate jewellery, bridal couture |
| 6mm, 8mm | Costume jewellery, home décor | |
| Sew on Stones | 12mm and smaller | Ballroom dresses, bridal accessories |
| 14mm and larger | Irish dance dresses, theatre & performance costumes |
Choosing the Perfect Colour
When it comes to choosing the perfect crystal colour for your project, the options are vast. All three top brands Swarovski, Preciosa and Zodiac offer a huge range of crystal colours and effects, with Clear and AB being the two most popular.
People often ask what is the difference between Clear and AB crystals? While they are similar in some ways, both working well with other colours and both having the most sparkle, their differences are important too. Clear has no colour to it, whereas AB shines all colours of the rainbow – each bringing a very different look. With all of the colour options available, it can be tricky choosing the right colour for your project. Here's a breakdown of rhinestone colours and what they can be used for:
| Rhinestone Colour | Description | Popular Projects |
|---|---|---|
| Clear | This is a colourless, diamond effect stone, with a mirrored foil backing to reflect the light. It is one of our most popular colours as it adds a luxury feel to whatever you're crystallizing. Because of its colourless nature, clear crystals can be used on almost anything and will work with every other colour. | Craft, cardmaking, bridal couture, fashion, footwear embellishment, jewellery design, decorative blinging projects, nail art. |
| AB | (Aurora Borealis) gets its name from the Northern Lights. It is a coated crystal that has a rainbow effect, much like a soap bubble, or sometimes described as an 'oil on water' effect. The coating reflects the colours that surround it so use against pale colours for pinks, purples, pale blue and golds to shine through. Or use on a darker background to see greens, yellows and darker shades of blue. | Nail art, bridalwear, dance dresses, Performance wear, Irish dance dresses and accessories, costume design and fashion. |
| Standard Colour | Standard colours make up the majority of the range, these are crystals that are just one colour throughout and have no effect or coating over the top. If you're looking for a simple block colour in a variety of shades, go for one of these. You can choose between bright bold shades, pastel vintage style shades or neutral tones. | Craft, cardmaking, nail art, clothing embellishment, bridal couture, ballroom dancewear, Irish dance, theatre costumes. |
| AB Coated Colour | This is where the AB coating has been applied to a standard coloured crystal. The coating takes on the base colour and reflects different shades of that colour. | Performance costumes, drag & burlesque outfits. |
| Metallic Finish | This finish gives the effect of a solid piece of metal, such as gold, silver, bronze, chrome etc. | Nail art, industrial/steampunk projects, dancewear. |
| Neon Finish | Neon rhinestones are as bright and bold as the name suggests and some even glow in the dark! | Nail art, festival and carnival wear, dance and performance costumes. |
| Opal Finish | Opal rhinestones are subtle and delicate, with a smooth looking, almost milky finish. They are great for vintage style projects. | Nail art, vintage style craft, spring/summer themed projects. |
| Multi-tone Finish | These rhinestones offer more than one colour and have the effect of changing colours during movement. | Dancewear, nail art, blinging projects. |
Adhesive Methods
When it comes to flatback rhinestones, there are two types: Hotfix and Non Hotfix. This refers to the way the rhinestone should be applied to the material, so what is the difference between Hotfix and Non Hotfix? Hotfix rhinestones require heat to melt the glue on the back of the stone and allow it to stick, this can be achieved using a hotfix applicator tool, heat-press or household iron. Non Hotfix rhinestones need to be attached using the correct glue such as E6000+ or Gem Tac. Hotfix rhinestones can be identified by the rough textured, darker foil backing. Whereas non hotfix rhinestones have a smoother, more pale foil backing.
Project-Specific Recommendations
For most rhinestone projects you have the freedom to get creative and use whichever colour or size you feel like working with that day. However some projects require specific colours and sizes for them to achieve the best results. Here are a few examples of the most common rhinestone craft ideas that require a certain type of embellishment:
- Footwear – To decorate a pair of shoes with rhinestones, whether it's trainers, boots or high heels, we would always recommend using SS16 non hotfix rhinestones, with a few smaller sizes to fill gaps.
- Wedding Veils – Adding subtle sparkle to your veil or even wedding dress we advise using SS10 hotfix rhinestones in Clear or AB.
- Greetings Cards – Generally, SS10 and SS12 flatback rhinestones (in any colour) is the easiest size for adding to cards.
- Nail Art – Sizes SS5 – SS9 are the most popular for nail art as they are more likely to stay on for longer. Clear and AB are the most popular colours but you can choose a colour that matches the gel too.
- Irish Dance Dresses – Don't use anything smaller than SS30 for Irish dance otherwise it will take too long to embellish. AB is the most commonly used colour as it really sparkles on the stage. If using sew on rhinestones to decorate, Peardrops and Rivolis are by far the most popular shape.
- Freestyle/Ballroom Dresses – SS16 and SS20 are the ideal sizes here, they are small enough to apply quickly and big enough to get good coverage. They are also less expensive than the larger sizes.
- Clothing Embellishment – Again, SS16 and SS20 are great for clothing embellishment, and there is a huge choice of colours in these sizes.
Maintenance and Care
Regular maintenance and care of your rhinestone projects will prolong their sparkle and lifespan.
- Drying Time – Once you have glued or heat fixed all your rhinestones into place, it is important to allow plenty of time for them to dry, 24 hours if possible, for glue on stones. If you handle the item, move it, or accidentally touch any of the drying rhinestones, it may cause them to move position or to come away from the surface. This will affect the bond between the glue and the material so is likely to come loose.
- Storage – To prevent damage to your rhinestone project, ensure it is properly stored out of sunlight, until ready to use. If you have an item of clothing, dance dress or costume, the best way to store this is hung up in a wardrobe, preferably in a suit bag to keep it away from dust. This is also the best way to transport it.
- Cleaning - If a rhinestone garment item needs to be washed, we always recommend hand washing, inside out if possible. Use only warm water with a small amount of detergent, and avoid fabric conditioner. Also avoid using a washing machine, dry cleaners or tumble dryer. For other items that have been embellished, you can gently wipe over the top of the rhinestones with a damp cloth to retain the sparkle.
In conclusion, choosing the right rhinestones for your projects is process that involves understanding different types, sizes, colours, and application methods. From Swarovski to Zodiac Crystals, each brand offers unique options. Selecting the appropriate rhinestone for a specific project, whether it's for dancewear, bridal couture, or nail art, enhances the overall effect and quality of the work. Knowing the difference between Hotfix and Non Hotfix rhinestones and their applications is also important in helping you choose which method to go with.
If you need any further help with choosing the right rhinestones for your next project, don't hesitate to contact us where we can offer great advice and send samples.