If you've ever bought rhinestones in bulk, you might have come across the term 'gross'. But what exactly does a gross of rhinestones mean? Simply put, the number in a gross is equal to 12 dozens – or 144 pieces. It's a standard unit of measurement used by rhinestone manufacturers to package crystals efficiently. Here's how it breaks down:
- 1 gross = 144 pieces (12 dozen)
- 2 gross = 288 pieces (24 dozen)
- 10 gross = 1,440 pieces (120 dozen)
- 0.5 gross = 72 pieces (6 dozen)
- 0.25 gross = 36 pieces (3 dozen)
- 1 dozen = 12 pieces
Buying Rhinestones by the Gross
When purchasing wholesale rhinestones, buying by the gross often gives you the best value for money. Many manufacturers package rhinestones in larger quantities, with 10 gross (1,440 pieces) being a common bulk size. This is ideal for designers, dressmakers, nail artists, and crafters who regularly use specific colours and sizes. For example, if you frequently embellish costumes or accessories, stocking up on staple shades like Clear or AB in a bulk pack means you'll always have them to hand - it's a great way to avoid running out mid-project! Buying rhinestones in bulk is also a smart money saving trick, here's a price breakdown of buying individual small packs compared with wholesale rhinestone packs:
| Product | Small Pack Price (100 pieces) | Small Pack Price (per piece) | Wholesale Pack Price (1440 pieces) | Wholesale Pack Price (per piece) | Buying 1440 pieces in small packs vs wholesale packs |
| Preciosa SS16 Non Hotfix Clear | £4.45 | 0.045p | £40.50 | 0.028p | £72 vs £40.50 |
| Zodiac SS16 Non Hotfix Clear | £2.58 | 0.026p | £26.18 | 0.018p | £37.44 vs £26.18 |
| Preciosa SS20 Non Hotfix AB | £8.30 | 0.083p | £75.38 | 0.052p | £119.52 vs £75.38 |
| Zodiac SS20 Non Hotfix AB | £4.86 | 0.049p | £57.20 | 0.039p | £70.56 vs £57.20 |
In most cases, wholesale rhinestones come in a pack of 10 gross (1440 pieces), but when the rhinestone size gets bigger, the number of pieces per pack (gross) decreases. Here is a handy guide to bulk rhinestone pack sizes & quantities*
- SS3 up to SS20 = 10 gross (1440 pieces)
- SS30, SS34 = 2 gross (288 pieces)
- SS40 = 1 gross (144 pieces)
- SS48 = 0.5 gross (72 pieces)
At Crystal Parade, we offer a wide range of rhinestones in different pack sizes to suit all projects – whether you need a small amount for a one-off design or a bulk order for professional use. Check out our flatback rhinestones collection and find the perfect crystals for your next creation!
*This information relates to Preciosa Viva12 and Zodiac crystals. Other brands may vary.