Cristaux AB

How to choose your AB crystals

Every brand we stock carries AB, so the choice comes down to budget, size and finish. Here’s how the four compare.

Swarovski

Sizes in AB: SS3 to SS48
Formats: non hotfix, hotfix, sew on stones, mixes
Best for: The most brilliant finish going. A favourite for nail art and couture pieces.

Preciosa

Sizes in AB: SS2 to SS48
Formats: non hotfix, hotfix, sew on stones, fancy stones, beads, settings, pendants
Best for: Our widest AB range by far. Premium Czech crystal and the broadest choice of shapes.

Zodiac

Sizes in AB: SS3 to SS50
Formats: non hotfix, hotfix, shapes, sew on stones, mixes
Best for: Brilliant sparkle at a fraction of the cost, so it suits big projects and full-coverage work.

Luna

Sizes in AB: SS3 to SS60
Formats: non hotfix, sew on stones in settings
Best for: Cost-effective everyday AB, and the only range that goes all the way up to SS60.

As an authorised Preciosa Silver Partner, we hold real depth in Preciosa AB across Maxima and Viva12, in both hotfix and non hotfix.

Hotfix, non hotfix or sew on

Non hotfix - flatback crystals with a foiled back that you fix with glue. The most versatile option and the top pick for dancewear, stretch fabrics, shoes and anything you cannot press with heat.
Hotfix - flatbacks that arrive with heat-activated glue already on the back. Press them with an applicator wand or a heat press for a quick, even finish on cottons and firmer fabrics.
Sew on stones - larger AB stones with holes, stitched into place. The most secure option, and the right choice for costumes that take a battering.

AB sizes and shapes

Round flatbacks are the starting point, and our AB range covers SS2 up to SS60. As a rough guide, SS6 to SS10 suits nail art and fine detail, SS16 to SS20 is the everyday workhorse for dance and bridal, and anything from SS30 upwards makes a real statement under lights.

Beyond rounds, AB comes in navette, peardrop, baguette, rivoli, square, triangle, hexagon, chessboard, heart, star, butterfly, moon, snowflake, leaf and more. If you would rather not choose, our AB crystal mixes bundle several sizes or shapes into one pack, which is the easiest way to get a scattered, organic finish.

Coloured AB crystals and AB 2X

AB is not only clear. The coating is applied over coloured crystal too, which gives you the base shade plus that rainbow shift on top. We stock coloured AB including Light Pink AB, Aquamarine AB, Blue Zircon AB, Capri Blue AB, Peacock Blue AB, Light Peridot AB, Olive AB and Black Diamond AB.

You may also see AB 2X. This is a double thickness AB coating, so the iridescent effect is stronger and less of the base colour shows through.

FAQS

What are AB crystals?

AB crystals are rhinestones with an iridescent coating over the top. This coating reflects the colours that surround it, so against pale surfaces it shines pinks, purples, yellows and golds, and against a darker background it shines blues, greens, yellows and deeper purples. For a more detailed explanation, read our guide to the difference between Clear and AB.

What does AB mean in rhinestones?

AB stands for Aurora Borealis, named after the Northern Lights. Swarovski developed the effect in 1956 in collaboration with Christian Dior, and it has been a staple of costume and couture ever since. The coating gives a single crystal all the colours of the rainbow.

What is the difference between AB and non AB rhinestones?

If a rhinestone has a colour name with AB after it, the iridescent coating has been applied over the top. For example, Fuchsia is a hot pink offering that one shade of pink. Fuchsia AB is the same hot pink crystal with the AB coating over it, so it shines with different pink tones and gives the effect of more depth and sparkle.

When should I choose AB instead of a solid colour?

Choose AB when you want movement, depth and sparkle, or when you cannot find an exact colour match to your fabric, because AB will complement almost anything. Choose a solid colour when you need the shade to stay true, for example matching a team colour, a dance school palette or a specific brand colour. Plenty of costumiers use both together, with solid stones for the colour and AB scattered through for the shift.

Do AB crystals look different on dark and light fabric?

Yes, and that is the whole appeal. On pale fabric AB tends to read as pink, gold and soft lilac. On black or navy it pushes towards green, blue and deep purple. If you are working to a brief, order a small pack first and try it against your actual fabric under the lighting it will be seen in, because stage lighting changes AB dramatically.

How do I apply AB rhinestones?

Exactly the same way as any other rhinestone. Use the hotfix method with heat, the non hotfix method with a suitable adhesive, or stitch on sew on stones. Gem Tac is a popular choice for applying non hotfix AB crystals to fabric.

What are AB crystal rhinestones used for?

All sorts of embellishment projects, including performance costumes, dancewear, bridalwear, nail art, cardmaking, textiles and jewellery making. AB is one of the most popular finishes for embellishing because it works with every colour, gives a huge amount of sparkle and is available in almost every shape and size.