If you've been searching for budget friendly rhinestones that still offer a great sparkle, you may have come across Luna. But what are luna rhinestones?
Luna rhinestones are a more affordable crystal option, perfect for crafters, beginners and professionals who want to create beautiful designs without stretching their budget. At Crystal Parade, we introduced Luna to give our customers a reliable, lower-cost alternative alongside premium brands like Swarovski, Preciosa and our other crystal range, Zodiac.
The Luna range features flatback non hotfix stones in over 250 different colours, plus best selling Peardrop and Rivoli sew on stones.
They're ideal for large projects that require big areas of sparkle, practice work, or anyone wanting to experiment with new ideas while keeping costs down. And while they are a budget friendly option, this doesn't mean they are cheap looking or bad quality.
History of Luna
The Luna brand was introduced by Crystal Parade as part of our mission to make embellishment accessible to everyone. With rising costs across the industry, we saw a need for a dependable, budget friendly rhinestone that still performs well. Luna was created to fill that gap – offering a practical option for those who want sparkle without the premium price tag.
After years of research and testing, we found the perfect balance of quality versus cost. Luna rhinestones quickly become a popular choice for customers working on bulk projects, learning new skills, and are especially popular among costume designers and dressmakers.
Section 1: Understanding Luna Rhinestones
Quality and Cost
So, what are luna rhinestones like in terms of quality?
Luna rhinestones are designed to offer a great level of sparkle at an affordable price. While they don't quite match the precision cut and brilliance of high-end brands like Swarovski and Preciosa, they still provide a bright, eye-catching finish that works beautifully for many projects. They are a great option for:
- Practice and learning – having a smaller price tag means you can afford to experiment with lots of different colours and sizes. You can also try out different application techniques, tools and glues to see which will work best for your project.
- Large-scale designs – most Luna customers are using them for projects that require a large volume of rhinestones, offering maximum impact for minimum cost. Such as costume making, dancewear, performance wear, theatre set design, stage decoration etc.
- Budget-conscious creations – Luna rhinestones are ideal for anyone with a tight budget or beginners looking to start a new hobby.
When it comes to cost, and comparing Luna to other brands, it really is as simples as this:
- Luxury, high-end finish: Swarovski ££££
- Premium quality, better value: Preciosa £££
- Best balance of sparkle and price: Zodiac ££
- Budget friendly and versatile: Luna £
Rhinestone price comparison (Clear SS16 example)
To give you a crystal clear idea of how much rhinestones cost, here's a simple comparison using one of the most popular options: SS16 Clear flatback crystals (wholesale pack).
| Crystal Size: SS16 (4mm) - Wholesale Pack of 1440* | ||||
| BRAND | ||||
| Swarovski | Preciosa Viva12 | Zodiac | Luna | |
| Clear | £56.54 | £34.90 | £21.82 | £10.00 |
| AB | £78.03 | £43.33 | £33.73 | £13.00 |
| Standard Colour | £67.20 | £40.35 | £33.73 | £12.00 |
| *Prices shown are correct as of March 2026. Non hotfix crystals, excluding VAT. Preciosa price shown is Viva12 range. | ||||
If you're looking for maximum sparkle for a luxury project, you may choose Preciosa or Zodiac. But for everyday crafting, or projects on a budget, Luna does a fantastic job.
Colours and Finishes
Luna Rhinestones are available in a wide selection of colours and effects, (almost 300 in fact!) including:
- Clear – a classic, diamond-like sparkle. This colour is timeless, offering an expensive and sophisticated finish.
- AB (Aurora Borealis) – a rainbow effect coating that reflects light beautifully. AB shines all the colours of the rainbow, giving maximum sparkle and works with everything. Often favoured by costume designers and dancers.
- Standard colours – whether you're looking for bright bold colours, feminine pastel shades, subtle neutrals or deep jewel tones, there's something for everyone!
- Special finishes – including two-tone colours, metallic coatings, neon or shimmer effects, plus opal finishes.
This makes them perfect for experimenting with colour combinations and trying out new design ideas without worrying about cost.
Section 2: Applications of Luna Rhinestones
Fashion and Apparel
Luna rhinestones are great for adding sparkle to clothing and accessories. Use them to customise:
- T-shirts and hoodies
- Shoes and trainers
- Bags and denim
They're especially useful for large designs where you need a lot of stones and want to keep costs manageable. It can also make a fun activity to do with children.
Performing Arts
In dance, theatre and stage performance, costumes often require thousands of crystals. Luna is a brilliant choice for:
- Practice costumes
- Adding a large volume of sparkle
- Budget productions
- Filling gaps in between larger sew on stones.
They allow you to achieve impact on stage without overspending.
Nail Art & Beauty
For nail artists and beauty professionals, Luna rhinestones are a great way to offer affordable designs to clients, practising at home, or one-off sparkly additions to your own nails.
They work well for:
- Nail embellishment – the small SS3 (1.5mm) size is very popular for nail art, with 100 colours available.
- Face gems – as long as you use a skin safe body glue, you can create fun designs with our range of non hotfix rhinestones.
- Festival looks – the 'bedazzled' look is very big for festival goers. Try blinging up your wellies, adding sparkle to your accessories or bedazzling your favourite band t-shirt.
- Creative Make-up – When used with creative make-up techniques, rhinestones can really elevate a look. Here, Starlet adds Luna rhinestones in ss16 to achieve this highly detailed finish:
If you're creating high-end sets, you might opt for Preciosa, but Luna is perfect for everyday wear and practice sets.
Section 3: Working with Luna Rhinestones
Tools and Materials
To get the best results, you'll need the right tools for the job. Here's a quick rundown of what you'll need in your basic bling kit:
- Pick up tool (like a Crystal Katana)
- Glue such as Gem Tac or E6000+
- Applicator syringe for precision gluing
- Flipper tray for storage and easy application
Having the right tools makes the process quicker, neater and far more enjoyable.
Techniques for Attachment
Luna rhinestones are typically non hotfix, meaning they are applied using glue.
Basic steps:
- Apply small dots of your chosen glue, using the applicator syringe.
- Allow the glue to go slightly tacky for around 10 seconds.
- Place the rhinestones onto the glue dots using a pick up tool.
- Leave to dry fully.
You can use popular application techniques such as:
- Honeycomb method for full coverage and no gaps.
- Scatter effect for subtle sparkle.
- Ombre or colour blending for more creative designs.
Section 4: Buying Luna Rhinestones
Retail vs. Wholesale
One of the biggest advantages of Luna is affordability, especially when you buy rhinestones in bulk.
- Retail packs are ideal for small projects or experimenting with different colours.
- Wholesale packs are better for large designs or businesses. Buying in wholesale quantities is way more cost effective and also saves you money on postage.
Buying Tips
- Start with a sample pack to test quality and colour.
- Choose sizes based on your project (SS16 is a great all-rounder).
- Mix sizes for better coverage and sparkle.
- Use Luna for base designs and combine with premium brands for detail and promotion purposes. If regularly using Luna rhinestones, invest in a Luna colour chart and take full advantage of all colour options.
Section 5: Maintenance and Care
Cleaning and Care Tips
Once you have applied Luna rhinestones to your surface, it is important to keep them well maintained to ensure they last as long as possible. Here are a few tips to preserve their beauty:
- Once applied, and glue is completely dry, polish the crystals with a slightly damp cloth to remove any grease or glue marks. You will immediately see them light up.
- Try to avoid contact with anything that might scratch the crystals, or cause them to fall off. If transporting your item anywhere, wrap up carefully in bubble wrap.
- If you need to wash an item that has crystals on such as clothing, costumes or dancewear, make sure you do it on a cool wash and don't use fabric conditioner. Even better – hand wash!
- Try not to keep the item in direct sunlight which may affect the glue.
- Avoid contact with chemicals such as perfume and household cleaning products.
Read more about cleaning tips:
Our Top Tips For Washing Items That Have Rhinestones
Costume Care: Preserving Rhinestone Sparkle & Durability
How To Wash Bedazzled Clothes Without Losing Stones
Storage Solutions
It's important to take good care of your rhinestones, 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 trays. This will stop any scratches or chips. Storage pots are also a great way of separating colours, sizes and shapes etc, especially if you work with lots of different crystals like nail artists or crafters. 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.
This helps prevent damage and makes your projects easier to manage. Read more about storage solutions:
Storing Rhinestones: Effective Solutions
Organzing Rhinestones: Trays & Storage
Section 6: Luna in the Industry
Luna Rhinestones are becoming increasingly popular across the creative industry, especially among:
- Brand promoters – big brands such as Nivea and Inkey have recently had a Crystal Parade makeover, (thanks to our Bespoke Embellishment Service) where we used thousands of Luna rhinestones to embellish their products, as part of a new launch campaign, with amazing results.
- Costumiers – Luna is a popular choice for decorating costumes, dancewear and performance wear. Dita Garbo, of Ru Paul's Drag Race fame, used over 50,000 Luna rhinestones to embellish her outfit for DragConUK.
- Dancers/dressmakers – Within the freestyle dance, gymnastics, cheerleading and Irish dance industries, Luna is fast becoming the most popular choice for full rhinestone coverage.
- Global Icons! – The one and only Robbie Williams performed his song 'Pretty Face' on The Graham Norton Show last year, wearing a black jacket covered in Luna rhinestones. Robbie's jacket was fully encrusted in Luna Jet and Jet Hematite non hotfix rhinestones.
Section 7: DIY Projects with Luna Rhinestones
Beginner Projects
If you're new to embellishing, try:
- Phone cases
- Sunglasses
- Simple t-shirt designs
- Nail art sets
These projects are easy, affordable and great for building confidence. See our blog on bling projects to try.
Intermediate and Advanced Projects
Once you're more confident, move on to:
- Fully embellished shoes
- Handbags
- Dance costumes
- Detailed artwork
Mixing Luna with higher-end crystals like Zodiac can give a more premium finish while keeping costs down.
Tips and Tricks for Embellishing with Luna Rhinestones
- Practice on a spare surface before starting
- Work in natural light for better visibility
- Use small amounts of glue to avoid mess
- Stick to one application style for a neat finish
- Mix sizes to fill gaps, add texture and improve coverage
So, what are luna rhinestones?
They are a reliable, affordable and versatile option for anyone who loves to create. Whether you're just starting out or working on large-scale projects, Luna offers a great way to achieve sparkle without overspending.
At Crystal Parade, we believe creativity should be accessible to everyone. That's why alongside premium brands like Swarovski and Preciosa, we're proud to offer Luna as a budget friendly rhinestone option.
If you're looking to buy rhinestones in bulk, experiment with new ideas, or simply add a bit of sparkle to your next project, Luna is a fantastic place to start.
And as always, if you need any help or advice, our team at Crystal Parade is here to help.