When it comes to rhinestones and crystals, telling them apart isn't always as easy as it seems! No matter what creative industry you work in, whether it's jewellery making, fashion, performance art, costume design, nail art or craft, knowing how to identify different types of crystals is a useful skill. In this guide, we'll share some simple but effective tips to help you spot the differences between crystal brands with confidence.

Knowing Your Rhinestone Brands

There are many different rhinestone brands and manufacturers out there, some more well known than others – we've all heard of Swarovski Crystals, but some may not have heard of Crystals by Preciosa or Zodiac Crystals; both leading competitors of the famous Austrian company. Luna Crystals, which was recently launched here in the UK, offers a range of affordable and good quality rhinestones and is starting to make waves in the freestyle dance and costume design sectors.

With these manufacturers leading the way in crystal production, other smaller companies have since attempted to replicate the famous rhinestone sparkle, with hundreds of brands coming out of China, India and the USA offering cheaper alternatives. However, unlike Swarovski and Preciosa, who's rhinestones are highly polished glass, many of these imitation brands use cheaper and lower quality materials such as resin, plastic or acrylic.

What Makes a High-Quality Rhinestone?

• Material – The best quality material used for rhinestone production is highly polished glass, made from a mix of quartz sand and other natural minerals. This is used by both Swarovski and Preciosa, giving their crystals a luxury status. When talking about identifying rhinestones, don't get confused between rhinestones and diamonds, they are actually very different! Glass is also used for mid-range brands like Zodiac, which is also highly polished but doesn't contain the same amount of quartz sand. Cheaper rhinestone brands may make their stones from a lower quality material, such as resin, acrylic or plastic, which are cheap and cheerful but don't offer the same high shine as Swarovski, Preciosa or Zodiac.
• Number of facets - Rhinestones achieve their famous high quality sparkle through the facets cut into the glass, which reflect light and offers the brilliance in shine we are all familiar with. The more facets (cuts), the more sparkle! Swarovski Xirius, and Zodiac with their 16 facets, are the highest. Followed by Preciosa with 12 – 15 facets. Lower quality rhinestones tend to have fewer cuts, usually 8.
• Foil backing – A handy little tip for understanding the quality of a rhinestone, is to check the foil backing. A Swarovski crystal has a completely smooth, flat foil back that has a slight gold tint to it. Preciosa has a similar smooth foil but is more grey/silver in colour. Again, Zodiac has a totally smooth foil back but the colour is more on the gold side. All of these brands will have no scratches or chips in the foil, because it is strong and durable, this is a sign of quality. Whereas cheaper resin, plastic or acrylic rhinestones may show these faults. Also look out for the foil peeling away from the stone, this is another mark of low quality.

Identifying Swarovski Crystals

Genuine Swarovski crystals will always have their logo on the wholesale packaging, however, to recognize them when they have been removed from their original packaging there are some tips and tricks the expert eye can see:

• Swarovski have a recognizable star shape cut into the facets of the stone. When you compare a 2088 Xirius stone to a Preciosa Maxima for example, you can clearly see the star pattern.

• Another good tip for spotting Swarovski among the crowd is to check for scratches, chips or any irregularity. Swarovski crystals will not have any – unless they have been dropped or extremely roughly handled.
• Have a good look at the holes cut into the sew on stones, Swarovski's have a really neat, smooth finish with no chipping to the crystal itself.
• When it comes to pearls, the Swarovski pearlescent coating is very durable, smooth and scratch resistant.
• Swarovski crystals tend to have a good weight to them, it's estimated they have approximately 32% lead oxide, compared to just 12% to 28% lead oxide in other glass crystals which makes them heavier by comparison. So if you feel your crystals are lighter than expected, they are probably not Swarovski.
• When shopping online for loose Swarovski rhinestones, they will have a premium price due to brand prestige and craftsmanship. If the price looks too good to be true, then it is probably not genuine Swarovski.
• Due to Swarovski's recent market restrictions, there may be a limited choice of Swarovski retailers, so check before you buy.

Identifying Preciosa Crystals

Genuine Preciosa crystals will always have their logo and a holographic seal on the wholesale packaging, however, to recognize them when they have been removed from their original packaging, here are some handy tips:

• Check the foil backing - Preciosa's non hotfix backing is completely smooth and grey/silver in colour, whereas Swarovski and Zodiac have a slight gold tinge to their foil backing. Cheaper and low quality rhinestones tend to have a thicker and clumsily made backing, which is prone to scratches.
• Preciosa Maxima rhinestones have 15 facets (or 18 in larger sizes) which are cut into rhombus shapes, facing inwards, whereas Swarovski have a recognizable star shape cut into the facets of the stone.
• Another good tip for spotting Preciosa among the crowd is to check for scratches, chips or any irregularity. Preciosa crystals will not have any – unless they have been dropped or extremely roughly handled.
• Have a good look at the holes cut into the sew on stones, Preciosa's have a really neat, smooth finish with no chipping to the crystal itself.
• When it comes to pearls, the Preciosa pearlescent coating is very durable, smooth and scratch resistant.
• Check the price – Preciosa are priced at around 30% less than Swarovski.

Identifying Zodiac Crystals

Zodiac crystals feature its logo on their wholesale packaging, and when in small retail packets, you will find them in Crystal Parade branded bags, as the sole distributor of Zodiac in the UK. Here are some ways to identify Zodiac crystals:

• Check the foil backing – Zodiac's non hotfix backing is completely smooth and has a gold colour – more of a bright gold than Swarovski. Cheaper and low quality rhinestones tend to have a thicker and clumsily made backing, which is prone to scratches.
• Like Swarovski, Zodiac has a recognizable star shape cut into the facets of the stone, so make sure you check the foil backing to see the difference between Swarovski and Zodiac.
• Another good tip for spotting Zodiac is to check for scratches, chips or any irregularity. Zodiac crystals will not have any – unless they have been dropped or extremely roughly handled.
• Check the price – Zodiac are much more affordable than Swarovski, and are also less money than Preciosa.
• Check the sparkle – Zodiac crystals offer an almost identical sparkle to the more expensive brands, but for less money. So if you are dazzled by the amount of sparkle and are seeing a reasonable price then it is likely to be Zodiac.

Identifying Luna Crystals

• Luna crystals, which are the most affordable glass rhinestone brand, boasts an enormous range of colours and effects including opal, neon, metallic and multi-tone.
• Price - They are extremely budget friendly, while still offering great quality sparkle and durability. You shouldn't see any foil peeling away like on plastic or resin rhinestones.
• Number of facets - They have 12 facets which is fewer than Swarovski, Preciosa and Zodiac.

Identifying Cheap Rhinestones (Plastic and Resin)

• There tends to be fewer facets and they are often less clean and defined.
• They often have a dull, less reflective shine compared to a glass rhinestone.
• The foil backing can be either very thick and clumsily made, with chips around the edge, or thin, fragile, and easily peels away.
• They are more prone to scratches and chips because they are made from a softer and less durable material.
• You can easily identify plastic, resin or acrylic rhinestones by how they are sold and packaged. They're often sold in bulk for extremely low prices, and they are usually packaged clumsily in unbranded bags.

Quick Tips for Spotting the Difference

• Weight Test: Glass rhinestones (Swarovski, Preciosa, Zodiac, Luna) are heavier than plastic/resin.
• Sparkle Check: High-quality rhinestones have a sharper, more defined sparkle.
• Foil Backing: Look for smooth, evenly applied foil backing in premium brands.
• Imperfections: Check for chips, scratches, peeling foil – you won't find these in top quality rhinestones.
• Price Indicator: If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is!

Conclusion

Choosing the right rhinestones for your project is key to achieving a professional and long-lasting finish. Whether you're embellishing costumes, designing jewellery, or adding sparkle to nail art, understanding the differences between brands helps you make an informed decision.

Investing in high-quality glass crystals like Swarovski, Preciosa and Zodiac, ensures superior sparkle, durability, and a flawless finish. While cheaper plastic and resin rhinestones may seem like a budget-friendly option, they often lack the clarity, cut, and longevity needed for professional results.

At Crystal Parade, we offer a carefully curated selection of top-quality rhinestones, helping you find the perfect crystals for any project. Explore our collection today, contact us for advice or take advantage of our free rhinestone matching service!

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