Are Diamante Rhinestones Different Than Crystal Bling?
You’ve been browsing online looking for good quality rhinestones. As you search for sellers on Amazon, eBay, or the web, you find a big difference in pricing. In addition, some retailers label bling products as MC, DMC, or diamante rhinestones. Understanding the difference in these terms can help you find the best bedazzling gems for your project.
Diamante Machine Cut (DMC) and Machine Cut (MC)
The term “diamante” has Latin origins, meaning fake jewels. Manufacturers use this word to describe a facet cutting similar to a brilliant cut diamond. Today, people use it synonymously with other terms:
Primarily, the rhinestone industry emerged from European glassmakers, particularly the Bohemians. These artisans developed manufacturing processes to replicate diamonds and other gemstones. In 1895, one of these glassmakers, Daniel Swarovski, left for Austria to begin his rhinestone company. For years, Swarovski and other Czechoslovakian companies dominated the faux gem market. In recent years, Asian manufacturers from Korea and China have developed processes to produce faux gems at a lower price point. Manufacturers from these countries may use glass or crystal and designate them as either DMC, MC, or diamante rhinestones. Perhaps these designations differentiated products previously. Today, most companies use the terms interchangeably. Although these Asian rhinestones have fewer facets than name brands, some still offer a nice sparkle. However, others are of an inferior quality. For example, the foil backing may fall off. Or, the crystal may discolor or darken over time. Sometimes, the color isn’t consistent between batches. When purchasing diamante rhinestones, buy from a trusted retailer to ensure a quality product. Comparison of Different Rhinestone Types
The brand names, Swarovski and Preciosa, have been around for a long time. As established companies, you know they produce quality crystalline components. However, they are also the most expensive. (Note: In 2020, Swarovski severely limited access to their crystal components, focusing on luxury brands instead.)
So, how do you know a generic bedazzling gem brand offers a quality product? This infographic describes the distinguishing characteristics: 
1. Material
Manufacturers can use crystal, glass, or plastic to make rhinestones. Crystal is a type of glass. Companies use the same ingredients as glass, but with the addition of a chemical compound. Years ago, companies used lead oxide. Today, many use zinc, barium, or potassium oxide due to health concerns regarding lead. The addition of this compound creates a denser, clearer, and stronger product than the original. And unlike glass, crystal can break up light like a prism.
Glass rhinestones offer less sparkle than crystal, but still have a brilliant appearance. Depending on the ingredients, manufacturers may mold or machine cut the facets. You can tell the difference by the designations DMC or MC. Plastic rhinestones include jelly, resin, and acrylic products. Manufacturers create these embellishments by molding. While these are the least expensive type, they also produce the least amount of sparkle. 2. Number of Facets
Facets create the play of light we term sparkle. Manufacturers create facets to maximize the rhinestone’s brilliance. Generally, more facets equal more interaction of light for greater sparkle.
3. Arrangement of Facets
Rhinestone manufacturers arrange facets in a geometrical pattern around the embellishment. Light distribution and sparkle rely on symmetry and proportion of these facets. Furthermore, this arrangement of facets results in a unique sparkle pattern for each brand.
Buying Diamante Rhinestones Online
Typically, it’s easier to determine crystal gem quality when buying in person. Visually, you can see the amount of sparkle. However, buying bedazzling gems online can be more difficult. If quality is important to you, stick with a name-brand product.
Yet, you can still find good quality generic brands. To find cheaper rhinestones with good sparkle, check the seller’s online reviews. Choose a retailer that provides customers with a positive experience and a history of reliable service. Rhinestones Etc. has been selling quality crystal products since 2011. We offer fast processing times - most orders ship the same day you place your order. Moreover, we have a large selection of colors and sizes at competitive prices. Browse our online store to find the best rhinestones for your project.
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Bejeweled Holiday Ornaments Made with Lace and RhinestonesThere is something about lace that gives a touch of distinction. Delicate and wispy, lace transforms the ordinary into elegance. This red ornament is nice and glittery. Add lace and rhinestones, and the ornament becomes exquisite. It’s simple to make, and anyone can make these beautiful DIY bejeweled holiday ornaments. For this project, I used:
 Handmade Glitter OrnamentsAlthough I used a red ornament for this craft, lace pairs nicely with any high contrast color. Hence, lace will make a dramatic pop when used with deep, bold hues like navy blue, emerald green, or violet. Using a basic decoration is nice, yet the glitter brings an extra touch of sparkle. However, if you can’t find glitter decorations, you can make your own. How to make Rhinestone and Lace Christmas Ornaments1. Cut 2 pieces of lace - the circumference of the ornament. Typically, a smaller width lace works better. 2. Remove the top silver part of the ornament. 3. Glue one strip of lace, starting at the ornament’s top, and circling the circumference to return to the top. 4. Next, glue the other piece of lace directly opposite, and in the same manner. 5. Let the glue dry completely. 6. To glue the rhinestones, place a drop of glue, slightly smaller than the crystal, on the lace. 7. Using the tweezers or wax-tipped tool, pick up a rhinestone and gently press it into the glue drop. 8. A little bit of glue should seep out from the edges to form a seal. This helps keep the bedazzling gem from falling off. 9. Continue gluing until you’ve attached all the crystals. Allow to dry for 24 hours. 10. Replace the silver top back on the ornament.  These DIY bejeweled holiday ornaments are truly something special. The combination of lace and jewels turns a nice decoration into a spectacular one. These are so easy to make, you can have some on hand to give as gifts, for an ornament exchange. Or create a bunch and have your very own bling-themed tree. Get started today on making them as Christmas is not too far away. Need some crystal bling supplies? Rhinestones Etc. has great prices and excellent customer service.  A Quick Guide: What Are (Aurora Borealis) AB Rhinestones?Have you ever had the opportunity to be up North to see the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights? If so, then you know the beautiful display they put on every night. Colors such as green, pink, red, yellow, blue, and violet dance in the night sky. AB rhinestones produce a spectacular color variation similar to the Northern Lights. AB Rhinestone Color ExplainedTo replicate this phenomenon, faux gem manufacturers developed the AB or Aurore Borealis rhinestone. AB crystals are a beautiful display of colors very similar to the Northern Lights. To put it simply, this bedazzling gem is a base color with an iridescent coating over it. The result is an ever-changing color rhinestone. As the light catches the crystal, different colors reflect back, much like the changing colors of the Northern Lights. In addition, AB rhinestones pick up the color of the fabric you place the stone on. Therefore, their color reflection will change based on the background. It’s for this reason that AB crystals are so popular, for their ability to change color. AB Rhinestone Colors AvailableAs previously mentioned, AB rhinestones are popular. The most popular of these is the crystal AB. This bedazzling gem is a base clear crystal with an AB coating. The crystal base matches any color it’s used with. In addition, this rhinestone picks up the color it’s paired with while reflecting a myriad of other colors.  Swarovski Crystal AB Rhinestone There is a great variety of standard colors coated with the AB coating. Lighter AB colors such as Fuchsia AB reflect more of the rainbow effect and more colors. Darker colors such as Jet AB or reflect less. However, all AB colors reflect more than just their base color.
Swarovski Fuchsia AB Rhinestone Swarovski Jet AB Rhinestones Both of the brands we carry, Preciosa and PriceLess, manufacture beautiful AB rhinestones in a variety of colors. Incorporating standard colors with AB crystals produces depth and texture. Do you need crystal rhinestones for your bling project? Rhinestones Etc. has great prices with responsive customer service! What Rhinestone Glue Works Best For Your Bedazzling Project?Rhinestones add that special touch of dazzling sparkle. You’ve seen them on dresses, boots, and sneakers. But the important question is, can bedazzle anything? Just about! You can stick faux gems to virtually any surface: glass, metal, fabric, and leather. More precisely, the question should be, what rhinestone glue or adhesive is good for the surface I am working on. Different brand glues work better on some surfaces, and some glues are just easier to work with. Once you know your adhesive, you can glue rhinestones to many, many surfaces.  Best Rhinestones Glue for FabricsBecause the most common surface to glue rhinestones to is fabric, I’ll start with some good fabric adhesives. Beacon brand makes two different adhesives: Fabric-Tac and Gem-Tac. Fabric-Tac is solely for fabrics. Be careful as it is not recommended for use with acrylic bedazzling gems. Gem-tac is another one of Beacon’s adhesives, and it bonds to more than just fabric. It also works on wood, suede, glass, vinyl, and metal. Additionally, it is easy to apply and generally considered non-toxic. Dry cleaning is not recommended. Next up is an adhesive made specifically for stretchy surfaces. Aleene’s Flexible/Stretchable glue is specifically made for us on T-shirts, knits, dancewear, and socks.  Rhinestone Adhesives for Other SurfacesE6000 is another popular glue. It provides a strong bond for these surfaces: fabrics, wood, glass, plastic, tile, metal, ceramic, rubber, vinyl, leather, cement, and styrofoam. Keep in mind that this glue must be used in a well-ventilated area. Many people don’t like E6000 because of its potential toxicity. However, as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions, you should not experience any difficulties. If you prefer to avoid E6000 but want a strong glue, you may want to try Swarovski 2-part Epoxy Resin. This adhesive bonds to metal, rubber, synthetics, and glass. In keeping with Swarovski’s pledge for a healthy environment, it's non toxic, non-corrosive, non-hazardous, nor dangerous. So, the next time you are considering a bling project, think about rhinestone adhesives first. The surface you will be gluing to will determine which glue you should use. Thinking of starting a rhinestone project? Rhinestones Etc. has quality crystal rhinestones while providing excellent customer service.
 Discover Helpful Tips for Beautiful DIY Rhinestone NailsNail designs with rhinestones are the current rage. Beautifully polished nails embellished with dazzling jewels are sure to make a fashion statement. But have you checked out those salon prices? Yikes, definitely not in your budget! However, you’d still like to have the look of rhinestone nails for that upcoming party. But the question is, can you do it yourself? Supplies Needed for Rhinestone NailsYes, you can for both regular nail polish and gel, although the methods are slightly different. For regular nail polish, you will need nail glue and a quality top coat. While using gel nail polish will require an LED light. Prices run anywhere from $10-$40 on Amazon. Of course, you’ll need some good quality crystals. Some nail technicians like to use flatback rhinestones while others use pointed back. Moreover, you can choose from a variety of sizes and colors. How to Apply Rhinestones to Nails with Regular Nail PolishLet’s start with how to attach rhinestone to your nails with regular nail polish. First, make sure you use a good quality nail polish. Unfortunately, if you use a cheaper brand, the polish may chip causing the jewels to fall off. Furthermore, this can occur even if you glued it correctly. Begin by applying a base coat, and then your favorite color, and allow to dry completely between coats. With a toothpick, apply a small amount of nail glue to the nail where you want to place the bedazzling gem. Using a wax tipped tool or tweezer, pick up a rhinestone and gently press it into the nail glue. Next, using a small detailing brush, apply a top coat around the edges of the crystal. Do not apply the top coat over the top of the jewel, only the edges. This helps seal the rhinestone so that it doesn’t peel off. Using Gel Nail Polish to Attach RhinestonesNow let’s go over the method of creating rhinestone nails with gel polish. Apply the gel foundation and cure under your LED light. Then apply the gel color again, curing under the LED light. In the area where you are applying the rhinestone, roughen lightly with an emery board. Wipe nails clean with rubbing alcohol using a lint free wipe. Next, apply a gel top coat over the entire nail. Pick up a rhinestone using a wax tipped tool or tweezers and apply the gem to the nail. Then, cure under the LED light. Finally, using a small detailing brush, apply the gel top coat around the edges of the jewel. When you are finished, cure under the LED light one final time. With a little practice, you’ll be creating fabulous designs on your nails suitable for every occasion. Plus, you won’t pay those high prices at the nail salon. Practice enough times, and you’ll be creating your very professional own one-of-a kind nail designs. Want to get started on your nail designs right away? Buy quality crystal rhinestones from Rhinestones Etc. DIY: Button Bracelet With RhinestonesSometimes, you can take simple components and make a truly stunning DIY jewelry piece. For example, take buttons: most people have some lying around, and if not, they are inexpensive to buy. Simply, paint on glitter nail polish, string them together, and glue on some bedazzling gems. And just like that, you now have a very pretty button bracelet with rhinestones. To do this project, I used:
 Instructions for a DIY Button Bracelet with RhinestonesYou can use all the same size buttons or vary the sizes, whichever style you prefer. I used purple glitter nail polish but there are many colors available at your local beauty supply store. Paint the tops of the buttons making sure you don’t paint over the button holes. Let the nail polish dry completely.
To protect the nail polish from chipping off, spray a coating of Krylon Acrylic coating on the buttons. If you want, you can apply more than one coat, allowing to dry completely between coats. Cut a piece of complimentary embroidery thread about 12 inches long. Thread a sewing needle with all six strands. Starting underneath, sew the buttons together.  Using a cord end cap, place one end of the thread in the cap leaving a one-inch tail. Fold over one side of the cap. Place the tail in the cap folding the thread and then folding over the other side of the cord end cap. Cut the excess tail thread.  Measure your wrist to a comfortable fit. Cut the other end to this length and add the cord end cap to the other end. Add a jump ring and lobster clasp to one end and a jump ring to the other. Lay the bracelet flat. For the larger buttons, I used 34ss rhinestones and the smaller buttons I used size 20ss. Place a drop of glue smaller than the crystal on the middle of the button. Follow the glue manufacturer’s instructions. Using a wax tipped tool or tweezers, gently press the bedazzling gem into the glue drop. Continue gluing until all of the buttons have a jewel, then allow to dry flat for 24 hours.  Buying new jewelry every season is expensive, but with this DIY button bracelet with rhinestones, you’ll have a sparkling piece perfect for the fall. Wear it for formal or casual occasions, either way, you’re sure to make a sparkly statement! Rhinestones Etc. want to be your source for bling supplies. We provide responsive customer service, fast processing times, and competitive prices on beautiful crystal rhinestones. Browse our selection to find your color.
 Rhinestones Vs. Pearls to Embellish Your Wedding DressHe’s popped the question, and you said Yes! And while you want the fairytale wedding of your dreams, reality has set in, and you do have a budget. The dress is one of the biggest expenses of your wedding, yet you only wear it one day. You could spend thousands of dollars on a dress with hand-sewn beadwork. Or, you could buy a plain one for a lot cheaper and embellish it. When considering your options, what are the differences between rhinestones vs. pearls Pearls or Rhinestones?First, you need to decide on what type of embellishment you are going to use. Pearls are one option that look fabulous with lace. Flatback pearls or half pearls have all the luster of real pearls but have a flat side, so that they are easy to glue. The range of sizes goes from a tiny 2mm to a large 10mm.  Crystal rhinestones are another choice for enhancing wedding dresses. For rhinestones embellishment, you can choose the glue on method or sew-on. There are many shapes available both in the sew-on and glue on rhinestones. Sew-on rhinestones have predrilled holes at opposite ends enabling you to attach with a needle and thread. Non-hot fix flat back rhinestones can be attached with fabric glue. If you are unsure about how to glue, you can read our blog about gluing rhinestones.  So, which do you pick, rhinestones or pearls? Can’t decide? Well, you don’t have to pick one over the other, simply use both to accent different parts of your gown. Both are beautiful on formal gowns and will make your wedding gown the fairy tale you dreamed of. Save money and sparkle on your wedding day by embellishing a wedding dress. Rhinestones Etc. sells quality crystal bedazzling gems at competitive prices while providing excellent customer service.
 Rhinestones for Fabric – Bedazzling Crystals For ClothingThere are so many different types of fabrics available: velvet, polyester, tweed and silk, chiffon just to name a few. These range from light weight to medium weight and heavy weight woven fabrics. Some of these are sheer like chiffon, net, or georgette. Others are very thick like velour or denim. What’s the best way to use Rhinestones on fabric? The short answer is yes. Certainly, there are some fabrics that you cannot embellish with hotfix rhinestones. Chiefly, these are fabrics that have low absorbency or have been chemically treated with water repellent treatments, easy to care treatments, or softening agents, and sheer fabrics. Glues for Attaching Rhinestones to FabricHowever, providing you use the correct glue and technique, non-hot fix rhinestones can be used to embellish many more types of fabric. Glues such as super glues, hot glue and those containing acetone are NOT recommended. Two of the most popular glue for attaching rhinestones are E6000 and Gem-Tac. Gem-Tac is my favorite glue for using on fabrics for ease of use. You can squeeze it directly out of the bottle and easily control how much glue you apply. E6000 is gloppy and harder to control the flow.  Technique for Gluing Rhinestones to FabricNotably, most important aspect of gluing rhinestones is the amount of glue. Ultimately, the glue needs to seep out from the edges when the rhinestone is pressed into the glue drop. This provides a seal to protect the rhinestone and keep it from falling off. Adhesives tend to shrink when curing. If too little glue is used, there may be too much space between the rhinestone and the glue. As a result, this can cause the rhinestone to peel off. All suitable rhinestone fabric glue dries clear, so it will not be seen if you accidentally use too much. And it is preferable to use too much rather than too little and have your rhinestone peel off.  Sheer fabrics can be embellished with rhinestones too. Place a piece of wax paper underneath when gluing. Then, glue as described above. When the glue is done curing, simply peel the was paper off from the underside of the fabric. Applying rhinestones to fabric seems daunting but is actually very easy. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Rhinestone Etc. We will be happy to answer your questions. Rhinestones Etc Storesells quality rhinestones while providing excellent customer service.
 Learn How to Use Rhinestones on Figure Skating DressesHave you checked the price of figure skating dresses that are embellished with crystals? Bargain prices can range up to the $300 range. If you shop around, you can find a plain skating dress for about $75. It's easy to learn how to use rhinestones on figure skating dresses. That is a big difference when you are paying for skates, lessons, testing, and competitions. Do you want your skater to dazzle on the ice? Buy the cheaper figure skating dress, glue on bedazzling gems, and save yourself a pocketful of money. Even factoring in the cost of faux jewels, you will not come close to paying $300. How to glue rhinestones to Figure Skating DressesInterested in learning more, but don’t know where to start? First, learn the basics of finding quality rhinestones. Once you’ve decided on the brand, you’ll need to choose the color and size. If you are new to bedazzling, you may want to stick with either Crystal or Crystal AB. Both are popular colors that will enhance any dress. Crystal is a clear rhinestone, and Crystal AB is the clear rhinestone with an iridescent coating on it.
The size you choose is also a matter of preference and dependent on the type of design. Generally, most skating dresses are embellished with the larger size stones, 20ss and 30ss. How many you need depends again on the design and the size. Helpful tips on size are discussed here on this rhinestone sizing blog. Next, pick out your rhinestone adhesive. Both E6000 and Gem Tac are widely used. I prefer Gem Tac for the ease of application. Whatever adhesive you choose, make sure it is suitable for gluing rhinestones to fabric, permanent, washable, and dries clear. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. A pair of tweezers or wax tipped tool is essential for picking up crystals and pressing into the glue.  Prewash the figure skating dress before beginning to glue. Additionally, if the material is thin, you may want to put a piece of wax paper between layers. When gluing rhinestones, use a drop of glue slightly smaller than the flatback gem. Some of the glue should seep out from the edges when you press the crystal into the glue drop. This is very important as it creates a seal to keep the jewels from peeling off. Allow the garment to dry flat for 24 hours. After you start gluing rhinestones, you will see how easy it is! As you get more confident, you can experiment with different designs and colors. With practice, you’ll be good enough to design those fancy skating dresses you see during the Winter Olympic Games. Looking for high quality bedazzling gems? Rhinestones Etc. has an extensive inventory of flatback crystal jewels. Explore our inventory when you need to use rhinestones on figure skating dresses.
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