Every shade of gold, and how they differ
Gold is not one colour. It runs from pale champagne through warm honey tones to deep metallic bronze, and the shade you pick changes the whole feel of a piece. These are the gold families in our range.
- Gold family - Bright metallic gold
- Shades we stock - Aurum, Dorado, Mine Gold
- Best for - Bold, unmistakably gold sparkle for costume and dancewear
- Gold family - Champagne and pale gold
- Shades we stock - Gold Quartz, Light Gold Quartz, Golden Shadow, Light Colorado Topaz, Blond Flare
- Best for - Softer, subtle luxury for bridal, occasion wear and ombre blending
- Gold family - Warm honey and amber gold
- Shades we stock - Honey, Golden Honey, Topaz
- Best for - Rich warmth, and the best family for blending into skin tones
- Gold family - Dark, antique and bronze gold
- Shades we stock - Starlight Gold, Monte Carlo, Jet Odyssey, Light Smoked Topaz Shimmer
- Best for - Understated vintage glamour, and a strong choice for menswear
- Gold family - Rose gold and pink gold
- Shades we stock - Rose Gold, Rose Gold AB, Capri Gold
- Best for - On-trend warm pink sparkle for nails, bridal and wedding stationery
Working across two or three shades from the same family gives you a beautiful ombre gradient, which is why gold is such a popular choice for both female and male dancewear. The warmer honey and topaz shades are also genuinely useful for embellishing in skin tones, where a straight metallic gold would look too harsh.
Choosing between hotfix, non hotfix and sew on
The right gold rhinestone for your project depends far more on how you plan to attach it than on the shade you pick.
Gold hotfix rhinestones
Gold hotfix rhinestones have a heat-activated glue already on the back. Apply them with a hotfix wand, heat press or a domestic iron with a cloth, and once the adhesive melts and cools they are set. This is the fastest option for fabric and the one most costume makers reach for when they are covering a large area. Browse our Zodiac hotfix and Preciosa hotfix ranges.
Gold non hotfix rhinestones
Non hotfix, also called glue on or flatback rhinestones, come with no adhesive so you choose your own. That makes them the more versatile option, and the only sensible choice for anything you cannot put heat near, such as leather, plastic, stretch mesh, nails or delicate bridal fabrics. Pair them with the right product from our adhesives range and they will stay put beautifully.
Gold sew on stones and shapes
For larger focal pieces, gold sew on stones have pre-drilled holes so they can be stitched securely rather than glued. They are the most durable option by a distance, which matters on competition costumes that get worn hard. We stock gold sew on stones in peardrop, navette, rivoli, oval, square and loch rose shapes, plus fancy stones and pointy back chatons for setting work.
Sizes, packs and how much you will need
- Gold flatback rhinestones run from SS2 (1.2mm) up to SS48 (11mm), with SS20 (5mm) and SS16 (4mm) our two best-stocked sizes, and a few Luna shades going larger still
- Smaller sizes from SS2 to SS10 (3mm) suit nail art, tooth gems and fine detail work
- SS16 and SS20 are the workhorse sizes for dance costume and general fabric embellishment
- SS30 and above give you statement sparkle and cover ground quickly
- Sew on stones, fancy stones and shapes go considerably larger for focal points
- Available in small retail packs, full factory packs and wholesale quantities
Not sure which size you need? Our crystal size chart shows every SS size against its millimetre measurement so you can compare properly before you order.