Luna Rhinestones are a fantastic budget-friendly option for crafters, costume makers and designers who want maximum sparkle without the high price tag. Ideal for large embellishment projects, Luna crystals allow you to add plenty of shine and coverage while keeping costs low. Although they are not as well known or prestigious as premium brands like Swarovski, they are a brilliant choice for costume design, performance wear, crafting, festival wear, and other rhinestone projects where affordability matters as much as sparkle.
In this article we will be discussing our most frequently asked questions including how and where to purchase Luna, how to apply Luna rhinestones to different surfaces, and what are the different types of crystals that Luna offers, plus many more topics too.
What are Luna crystals?
Luna crystals, also known as Luna rhinestones, are highly polished, machine cut glass stones used in the DIY sector for theatre, fashion, costume design, beauty, crafting and are prevalent in the creative and performing arts industries. The brand was launched by Crystal Parade in 2024, offering a budget friendly option and have increased in popularity among customers who are usually working with Swarovski or Preciosa crystals. With great sparkle, a durable foil backing and a low price point, Luna crystals are certain to impress. They have been applied to many different fabrics without failure to adhere and we can assure customers that they will stand the test of time.
The Luna brand is becoming recognized amongst costumiers, fashion designers, dressmakers, dancers and blingers across the country as being a great quality and cost effective alternative to premium brands.
What are the different types of Luna crystals?
Luna produce an extensive range of flatback non hotfix rhinestones, ranging from tiny SS3 sizes for nail art, medium sized 4mm & 5mm for costume design and craft, plus some larger sizes such as 7mm – 10mm. They also produce AB sew on stones in the best selling Rivoli and Pear shapes, which are very popular for costumes/dancewear.
What are Luna crystals made from?
Like other top brands such as Preciosa and Zodiac, Luna crystals are formed using cut glass, which has been made from melting down sand. The glass is highly polished and shaped into the faceted rhinestone shape we’re familiar with. They must not be confused with diamonds, which are a natural material that can be mined - Luna crystals are man-made.
Are Luna crystals as good as Swarovski and Preciosa?
Luna crystals are a great budget alternative to Swarovski and Preciosa, and are a fantastic option for costume and performance wear embellishment. While Luna rhinestones have the same number of facets as Preciosa offering a fantastic sparkle, they are not considered to be in the same league as those premium brands.
Does Luna offer the same product range as Swarovski and Preciosa?
When it comes to flatback non hotfix rhinestones, Luna boasts a huge collection of almost 300 different colours, available in a range of sizes from ss3 (1.5mm) – SS50 (10mm).
However, the sew on stones range is minimal, with just two options – AB Peardrops and AB Rivoli’s. Luna does not yet produce Hotfix rhinestones, beads, pearls or chatons.
Does Luna offer the same colour choice as Swarovski and Preciosa?
The Luna collection offers an extensive range of colours, coatings and effects – much larger than both Swarovski and Preciosa.
When it comes to flatback rhinestone colours, Luna offers a very similar portfolio to Swarovski, including metallic, solid, neon, shimmer and iridescent coatings as well as multi-tone finishes and opal effects. They also produce the best selling Clear and AB crystal which are the two most popular colours for embellishing.
Where can I order Luna crystals from?
Luna crystals can be purchased in wholesale and retail quantities from Crystal Parade – the only supplier in the UK. Here at Crystal Parade, we supply the entire Luna range and don’t require a minimum order or spend.
Can I buy Luna crystals in wholesale packs?
Yes, every colour in the flatback non hotfix range can be purchased in wholesale quantities, as well as half packs and smaller packs of 100 in some cases. If you’re a business or creator who relies on using large amounts of crystals, then purchasing wholesale packs would be valuable to your business as they are more cost effective when bought in bulk. Smaller packs are also available and are useful for one off projects or if you like to experiment with lots of different products, such as in nail art or craft.
How can I tell the difference between a Luna crystal and another brand?
To recognize Luna rhinestones when they have been removed from their original packaging, there are some tips and tricks the expert eye can see:
- Check the foil backing – Luna has a smooth matte silver foil backing, similar to Preciosa. Swarovski and Zodiac both have smooth matte foil backings, but are slightly tinged with gold. Cheaper resin, acrylic or plastic rhinestones will have a thin looking, shiny, backing that scratched and chips easily.
- Check the front of the stone – Luna rhinestones have 12 equally spaced facets, whereas both Zodiac and Swarovski have a recognizable star shape cut into the facets of the stone. Preciosa Maxima crystals have 15 facets which alternate between thin triangle and fat triangle. Cheaper brands that are made from acrylic, plastic or resin tend to be less sparkly, duller in colour, prone to scratches and may have only 8 facets.
Can I use Luna crystals for nail art?
Yes, Luna crystals can be used for nail art, sizes start at ss3 (1.5mm) and we have recently introduced some colours in SS4 and SS5, which is the ideal size for crystal manicures. However, not every colour is made in SS3, around 100 options so far.
Can I use Luna crystals for craft?
Luna rhinestones are brilliant for different craft projects, they can be applied to almost any surface such as card, paper, plastic, glass, wood, metal, fabric, rubber, leather, suede etc. And with such an extensive range of colours available, Luna flatback crystals are a favourite among crafters and blingers who like to use a variety, or are on a tight budget.
Can I use Luna crystals for embellishing costumes?
Yes, Luna crystals are becoming more and more popular for costume making, embellishing dance dresses and other stage or performance wear. Many designers combine Luna rhinestones with Zodiac sew on stones to create a huge amount of sparkle. Luna rhinestones are ideal embellishing costumes because they are budget friendly and have a huge range of colours.
What does SS mean?
SS refers to 'Stone Size' and is followed by a number, as well as the size in millimetres, for example SS16 (4mm). In general, SS3 - SS10 (1.5mm – 3mm) are the small sizes used for nail art and beauty. SS16 - SS20 (4mm – 5mm) are often used in dance, costume, craft, cardmaking and textiles. SS30 – SS50 (6mm – 10mm) are more commonly used for Irish dance, theatrical costumes and costume jewellery. For more information on rhinestone sizes, see our Ultimate Guide here.
How do I apply Luna crystals to fabric?
Non hotfix Luna rhinestones need to be attached to fabric or your surface material with glue, we usually recommend Gem Tac or E6000+. For Luna sew on stones, we would advise sewing them on, using a thread that matches to colour of the fabric, for a long lasting and neat finish. Embellishing with sew on stones is favoured among dancers and costume designers.
What does ‘facets’ mean?
The term ‘facets’ refers to the name of the cut given to a rhinestone. A facet is the flat surface area cut into the glass which refracts light inwards and reflects light outwards to create a sparkle. The more facets to a stone, the more light reflected, therefore the more sparkle. Luna flatback crystals have 12 facets, which means there are 12 surfaces all at a slightly different angle reflecting the light.
How do I know which colour to buy?
There are many colours to choose from in the Luna range – almost 300! From the most popular Clear and AB, to rainbow colours, iridescent AB colours and effects such as metallic, multi-tone, shimmer, opal and neon. If you’re not sure you are ordering the correct colour, size or brand of crystal, we are happy to help. You can send us a photo of a crystal you already and we can identify it for you. Or, if you have a piece of clothing or other item you would like to add crystals to, we can advise the best products to use and suggest colours to compliment. Alternatively, you could purchase a Luna colour chart which contains a sample of every colour and size. For more help on choosing the right crystal for your project, check out our Ultimate Guides.
How do I safely store crystals?
It’s important to take good care of your crystals, even if you’re not using them. If you have crystals in your craft kit that you’ve not yet used, keep them tightly wrapped in their packaging or in storage pots. This will stop any scratches or chips. Storage pots are also a great way of separating colours, sizes and shapes etc. For larger crystals such as fancy stones, buttons or sew on shapes, it is a good idea to keep these separated by keeping them in their original packaging, or wrapping them tightly in tissue paper.