From earliest times, sparkling gems have captivated our attention. Generally, it was only the nobility or very rich who could afford to have jewelry made from precious stones. So, jewelers sought out alternate cheaper sources to make sparkling jewelry at a lower cost. The discovery of natural rhinestones along the Rhine River provided a supply for a time. When this natural source became depleted, jewelers looked for a way to make them. In the early 1700’s a breakthrough came. A French jeweler by the name of Georg Friedrich Strass developed imitation gems later called rhinestones. He discovered that coating a piece of glass with metal powder created a shimmer in glass, similar to a gemstone. The novelty caught on although the imitations were still very expensive. Cutting each rhinestone by hand was labor intensive. Nonetheless, crafting rhinestones blossomed in Bohemia, now the Czech Republic. Individual skilled artisans honed their craft producing their version of rhinestones. One of these skilled craftsmen, Daniel Swarovski, patented an electric cutting machine. This new machine cut crystal more precisely and quickly than by hand. In 1895, he moved to Austria and opened his own manufacturing plant. Meanwhile, those individual companies in Bohemia eventually merged in 1948 to form the Preciosa brand. Today, there are many other manufacturers of rhinestones in a wide variety of shapes and colors. The Asian markets in particular, produce a large number of quality crystal rhinestones. While there are different brands of rhinestones, they all share some of the same characteristics. Types of Rhinestones Typically, there are 3 main rhinestone types: crystal, glass or acrylic. Rhinestones manufactured from crystal are the most expensive rhinestones. Primarily, crystal is glass mixed with lead or other components which make it clearer and prismatic. The prismatic effect is the ability to take light and break it up similar to a prism. Because of the safety concerns with lead, Swarovski and Preciosa no longer use lead in making their crystal. Both companies have achieved this without losing any sparkle from the rhinestone. This means that both types of rhinestones are CPSIA compliant and are safe for use with children. Similar to crystal, glass rhinestones have a coating to produce a shimmer in the rhinestone as well as facets. However, glass rhinestones do not have the prismatic quality of crystal. Nevertheless, glass rhinestones typically are precision cut by machine. Occasionally, you may see rhinestones listed as DMC or MC. These rhinestones are Asian machine cut rhinestones and they may be either crystal or glass. Finally, there are the acrylic rhinestones, the most inexpensive of all. Formed from molds, acrylic rhinestones do have facets which produce some sparkle. Acrylic rhinestones are a great choice for children’s crafts because they’re lead-free and very inexpensive. Confused about some of the rhinestone choices? Rhinestones Etc. has a large selection of rhinestones at discount prices. We’ll be glad to answer any questions you have regarding rhinestones. You can contact us here. Rhinestones Quality is based on Color, Cut, Contour, and Clarity When shopping for expensive gems, jewelers recommend examining a specimen for the 4 C’s: color, cut, clarity, and carat. The grade of each of these components helps determine the gem’s value. Although slightly different, rhinestones also have 4 C’s: color, cut, clarity, contour. Chiefly, there are many different rhinestone colors and your color choice affects the price. Crystal or clear rhinestones are the least expensive. Aurum, a gold rhinestone with a thin coating of 14k gold is the most expensive. However, within each color, the hue, tone, and saturation must be the same for consistency. The trueness and intensity of color must be the replicated throughout. Variations in color are the mark of cheaper rhinestones. Next, cut refers to the facets. Facets are the small plane surfaces cut into the rhinestone that reflect the light. The more facets, the more light reflects and hence the rhinestone has more sparkle. Swarovski makes a rhinestone with the most facets, 16 arranged in a star shape pattern called the Xirius. Preciosa manufactures a rhinestone named Maxima with 15 facets. Other rhinestone manufacturers cut between 8 and 12 facets into their rhinestones. Generally, the more facets, the more expensive the rhinestone. Chiefly, clarity is the lucidity or clearness of the rhinestone. The rhinestone should be free from spots, streaks or bubbles. Any type of cloudiness in the rhinestone is the mark of an inexpensive brand. Finally, contour refers to the consistency of the shape of the rhinestone. Typically, the shape of the rhinestone also determines its price. Round rhinestones are generally the least expensive, while fancy shapes such as baguette, navette, and others more costly. Size also affects the pricing, with rhinestones increasing in price with the size. Hot Fix Rhinestones One type of rhinestone is the hot fix which has glue attached to the flat side. To adhere, you can use a hot fix tool, iron or heat press. Swarovski, a manufacturer of rhinestones, recommends a temperature range of 250 degrees F – 340 degrees F to activate the glue. If you choose to use an iron, you will need one without steam vents. Irons with vents don’t provide a flat surface and consequently inadequate pressure when applying rhinestones. Also, water and steam can negatively affect the hot fix application. Never slide the iron as this may move the rhinestones. Always press down the iron and lift straight up before applying heat elsewhere. Another way to attach hot fix rhinestones is with a hot fix tool. These tools come with different screw-on tips to accommodate different size rhinestones. To attach, you lay the rhinestones on a flat surface, facet side up. Heat up your tool, then place the tip over the top of the rhinestone. The rhinestone will stick in the cup of the tip. After about 15 seconds, the glue will begin to bubble. Tap the rhinestone onto the fabric and the rhinestone will stick. Don’t press too hard as this can cause the glue to spread and the rhinestone to stick in the cup. Allow the rhinestones to cool, which takes only a few minutes. Unfortunately, there are some fabrics that are just not suitable for hot fix application. These include very tightly woven textiles, smooth leather or smooth imitation leather, and thin fabrics like organza. To check to see if your fabric is suitable for hot fix rhinestones, apply several drops of water. If the fabric absorbs the water droplet quickly, you can use hot fix rhinestones on it. Alternately, if the water pearls, the fabric is not suitable for hot fix rhinestones. Flat Back Rhinestones Another type of rhinestone is the non-hot fix or commonly referred to flat back. One way to attach flat backs or non-hot fix rhinestones is by gluing. There are a variety of rhinestone glues on the market. Some provide a better bond on certain surfaces than others. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions for recommendations. Additionally, some glue manufacturers do not recommend using their product on cheaper rhinestones like acrylics. For example, E6000 is an industrial strength glue that produces a strong bond to smooth surfaces. It works great on metal and glass. Alternately, Gem-Tac is a great fabric glue that’s easy to apply, dries clear and is washable. There are some other adhesives like Swarovski’s 2-part epoxy, Beacon’s Fabri-Tac and such. Just make sure whichever you use, its suitable for rhinestones, dries clear and if gluing to clothes, washable. One of the key components in gluing rhinestones to clothing is the method. Many people use too little glue causing the rhinestone to peel off. It’s very important that some of the glue seeps out the sides of the rhinestone. This forms a seal to keep the rhinestone in place. Other Methods of Attaching Rhinestones Generally, there are some other ways of attaching rhinestones to fabrics: metal settings and sew-on rhinestones. To begin with, there are 2 types of metal settings, Tiffany and rim. Their basic difference is one secures form the inside of the garment and the other from the outside. In particular, a rim setting surrounds the rhinestone on the right side of the fabric. The prongs pierce and bend on the inside of the garment to secure the rhinestone. Whereas Tiffany settings have metal prongs pierce through to the outside of the fabric to grab the rhinestone. These prongs bend around the rhinestone to hold it into place. Uniquely, sew-on rhinestones have pre-drilled holes in the crystal allowing a needle to pass through. Sew-0n rhinestones are available in a large variety of shapes. Similarly, a Rose Montee is a rhinestone set in a metal setting that has cross channels on the bottom. A needle easily passes through the cross channels thus, making them easy to sew on. Moreover, thin wire can pass through these channels as well, making Rose Montees ideal for jewelry making. Sizing of Rhinestones Admittedly, the sizing of rhinestones is unique and different. The system goes back to when rhinestones were a natural resource of sparkling quartz. Finders of these sparkling quartz stones grouped them according to their size by dropping them into different size holes. This gave the sparkling quartz a number “stone size“ or “ss”. Larger size sparkling quartz had larger numbers and smaller sized quartz smaller. Even though this natural resource no longer exists, rhinestone manufacturers still use this system of measurement. Usually, retailers of rhinestones will give the equivalent millimeter size adjacent to the “ss” size so you can compare. Sometimes, too, retailers will have a sizing chart with a picture of the size of that particular rhinestone. You can view our millimeter/ss size chart here. When trying to figure out how many rhinestones you need for a project will depend on the size you choose. This is especially true when you’re covering an item with rhinestones. For example, size 20ss is 4.7mm and you need about 29 rhinestones to cover 1 square inch. Compare this to size 12ss which is 3.1mm requiring 67 rhinestones to cover 1 square inch. Of course, the type of project you’re working on may influence your choice of size as well. For instance, you probably want smaller stones for rhinestones your nails yet larger rhinestones for embellishing your wedding dress. Still confused about the right choice of rhinestone for your project? Rhinestones Etc. would love to help! We’ve been selling rhinestones for over 10 years. Drop us a line here, and we’ll get back to you quickly with an answer.
Moreover, we have a huge selection of Preciosa Maxima Rhinestones. Browse our online store to find your color.
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Have you ever purchased a blinged out item and was disappointed at the amount of sparkle? The truth is, many companies use the cheapest rhinestones possible. Typically, different rhinestone brands produce varying amounts of sparkle. Different raw materials and the number of facets will affect the embellishment’s glittering brilliance.
The Two Big Rhinestone Brands
Rhinestone manufacturing has its roots in the glassmaking region of Bohemia. It was artisans from this area who received the first patent for cut crystal stone in 1715. As time passed, these “pierres de Strass” or rhinestones became increasingly popular. In the late 1800s, one particular glassmaker, Daniel Swarovski, invented an electric crystal-cutting machine. He moved to Austria and began his own company. Always on the cutting edge of innovation, Swarovski developed new shades and cuts of rhinestones. While rhinestone making continued in Bohemia, the craftsmen continued to work independently until 1948. At this time, 25 crystal making factories merged into one national company under the name of Preciosa. Both companies produce high-quality lead-free crystal components. Swarovski’s Xirius rhinestone has 16 facets arranged in a star-shaped pattern. Plus, the company offers over 100 vibrant colors and effects in different shapes and sizes. Preciosa offers 2 different lines, the Viva 12 with 12 facets and the Maxima with 15 facets. Moreover, you’ll also find a huge selection of colors, effects, sizes, and shapes from Preciosa. (Ed. Note: Due to increased pressure from other manufacturers, Swarovski removed itself from the resale market late in 2021. Today these rhinestones are only available to luxury brands).
Other Rhinestone Manufacturers Although Swarovski and Preciosa and the highest-quality rhinestone brands available, many other manufacturers exist. Some of these companies also use crystal to make rhinestones while others use glass or plastic. Generally, these materials have differences in 4 important characteristics: 1. Refractive Index As light passes through a transparent material, it slows and bends. The greater the degree the light bends, the more light redirects back to your eyes. Hence, materials with a higher refractive index, like crystal, exhibit a greater brilliance. 2. Dispersion Directly tied to the refractive index is dispersion. This is the ability of a material to break light into separate colors. As the light enters the material and slows, colors bend at different angles exiting as a rainbow. 3. Strength Facets are those small plane surfaces that catch and reflect light. For the even distribution of light, facets must be uniform and symmetrical. Additionally, the greater the number of facets, the more sparkle to the rhinestone. Generally, acrylic manufacturers must mold their products because cutting may melt the product. However, glass and crystal manufacturers rely on machines to cut precise facets. Yet, crystal is denser and harder than glass allowing the manufacturer to cut more facets into a single rhinestone. 4. Clarity Manufacturers use different processes to produce their products. Sometimes, during the manufacturing process, tiny air bubbles can become trapped within the material. Any type of inclusion, like trapped air bubbles, will interfere with the flow of light. Thus, the rhinestone will appear cloudy. Often, certain materials will naturally accumulate fewer inclusions during the manufacturing process. For example, crystal has more clarity than glass. Choosing from Among the Rhinestone Brands Usually, when you can see a bedazzled item in person you can see the quality of the rhinestones. The sparkle and clarity are evident. However, online shopping doesn’t allow you to inspect the embellishments. Unless the retailer specifies the rhinestone brand, it’s probably a lesser quality than a trademarked name. Yet, some manufacturers do produce quality rhinestones with a much lower price point. While some of these products have slightly less sparkle, from a distance, there’s little to no visible difference. So, if you’re planning a DIY bling project, how do you know you’re purchasing a quality product? Make sure you buy your rhinestones from an established, respected retailer. Rhinestones Etc. has been selling quality embellishments since 2011. Currently, we carry both Preciosa Maxima and PriceLess Asian crystal rhinestones. We offer great customer service, fast processing times, and competitive pricing. Browse our online catalog to find your color and size. Most people know Swarovski as the premier brand of crystal and rhinestones. Their Xirius Rhinestones has more facets than any other manufacturer, 16. Together with the array of stunning colors of rhinestones make them the rhinestone of choice. While known for the quality of crystal the company produces, most people are unaware of their recycling efforts. Truly, Swarovski has been at the edge of innovation from the very beginning of their existence. Some people aren’t aware of their environmental initiatives as they continually strive to make Swarovski Rhinestone the green alternative. Nowadays, many people are concerned with factories and their impact on the Earth. Many are trying to be greener or use sustainable practices to create a cleaner and healthier environment. Certainly, Swarovski is one of those companies who takes greener initiatives very seriously. History of Swarovski Founded in 1895 by Daniel Swarovski in Austria, the fifth generation of family members run the company. Indeed, from the very beginning, Swarovski factories have been creating crystal through environmentally sound practices. In 2010, the company decided to take a more formal approach and issued the first of its sustainability reports. Henceforth, every 2 years, the company takes a hard look at their practices and issues a report on their progress. Swarovski continually seeks new opportunities to reduce energy consumption and lower emissions by adopting innovative energy efficiency measures and identifying opportunities to use renewable energy. According to their 2017 report, the company has a 26% decline in total energy consumption since 2010. The report cites the following energy efficiency and recycling efforts:
The Lead-Free Alternative – Swarovski Rhinestone Certainly, scientific studies have proven without a doubt about the negative effects of lead. Unfortunately, for many years the only way to manufacture crystal was to include lead as an ingredient in the process. However, with the negative effects of lead, producers of crystal have sought to make crystal without lead. Since 2012, Swarovski has been doing just that with 100% of its crystal line is completely lead -free. The company has a patented formula that does not sacrifice the quality associated with Swarovski. Therefore, you can feel completely confident in using Swarovski Rhinestones to embellish your young daughter’s dance costume. Where to Buy Rhinestones Rhinestones Etc. has been selling embellishments online for 10 years. We have competitive pricing on rhinestones and great customer service.
Participating in a dance competition provides many great opportunities and learning experiences. Yet, lessons and entry fees can add up leaving little left over for a sparkling new dress. Instead, buy an inexpensive plain dance dress and add rhinestones. You can find a huge inventory of crystal rhinestones for dance costumes at Rhinestones Etc.
The Best Type of Rhinestones For Dance Costumes Once you've decided on a dance dress, it’s time to choose your rhinestones. The most common shape is round with a variety of options on brands, types, colors, and sizes. Primarily, you’ll find rhinestone manufacturers of plastic, glass, and crystal rhinestones. Typically, crystal rhinestones offer the greatest amount of sparkle followed by glass, resin, and acrylic. In addition, the number of facets and their arrangement will affect the play of light. Generally, manufacturers create rhinestones with a range of 10 to 15 facets. Moreover, you’ll need to choose between hotfix or glue on rhinestones. Hotfix rhinestones have glue on the backside of the rhinestone. To adhere rhinestones, you need to activate the glue using a hotfix applicator, iron, or heat press. Alternatively, glue on rhinestones require an adhesive to attach them. Next, you’ll need to choose your color. Often, many people select either crystal or crystal AB because it can be difficult to pick just the right hue. Crystal is a clear rhinestone while the AB is clear with a rainbow coating. The rainbow coating can pick up the color of the underlying fabric making it a favorite among dancers. Yet, choosing your color is a personal preference with no wrong answers. Some people like a pop of color with a contrasting hue. While others like the color to blend in with the color of the fabric. Finally, you’ll have to select a size. Rhinestone manufacturers use a unique measurement known as stone size ranging from very tiny 5ss to large 48ss. Usually, 16ss, 20ss, and 30ss are popular sizes of rhinestones for dance costumes. You can choose a single size or mix sizes for added dimension. Creating Your Rhinestone Design If this is your first time creating a bling project, it can be intimidating. However, many times the dance dress will have seams, cutouts, or straps that could use more visibility. Additionally, you can use any lines or shapes in the costume to dictate your design. Another idea is to scatter or distribute rhinestones in a random pattern. Scatter designs work well when you have a large space to fill. You can get even more creative by using different shades of color for an ombre effect. For specific curves or shapes, you can make a template. Often, it’s helpful to lay the dress flat arranging rhinestones to help create your design. When you’re ready to adhere the rhinestones to the dance costume, begin with your key element. Lay out your pattern aligning your center and working outwards. Often a ruler or tape measure can help keep your rhinestones evenly spaced. Where to Buy Rhinestones for Dance Costumes Rhinestones Etc. has been selling high-quality rhinestones since 2011. With super fast processing times and excellent customer service, we want to be your source for crystal rhinestone embellishments. Plus, we give extra discounts for bulk rhinestone orders. Browse our online store to find your perfect size and color. There are many rhinestones brands on the market today with many colors and sizes to choose from. Additionally, between various brands, there is different pricing. Sometimes, as you are shopping, it can be downright confusing. You want the best rhinestone on the market but have some other questions. Where’s one of the best places to buy Swarovski loose rhinestones that has excellent customer service? Look no further than Rhinestones Etc, an experienced rhinestones seller with over 10 years in the rhinestone business. We want you to be happy with your purchase. Why should you buy Swarovski Loose Rhinestones Instead of Some Other Brand? To begin with, Swarovski is the premier name in rhinestones. Although not the oldest manufacturer, as that distinction belongs to Precosia. Swarovski is certainly on the forefront of innovation. Since 1895, they have been on the cutting edge in producing those dazzling pieces of crystal. Currently, the company’s Xirius rhinestone has more facets than any other rhinestone on the market, 16. And the arrangement of these facets reflects a dazzling amount of light. In addition, Swarovski crystal is lead free since 2012. Moreover, the facets, color choices and shapes they have available, makes Swarovski the number one choice of many consumers. When only the best will do, you want Swarovski. Now what? Once you’ve decided on the brand, there are still other options to consider when buying rhinestones: color, size and quantity. Some of your choices will depend on the look you want to achieve. While other choices depend on the area you want to cover with bling. First, do you want the rhinestone to blend in and just add sparkle? Then you will want a color very similar to the item you are blinging. If you want a pattern to stand out, then you will want to go with a contrasting color. Second, the size of rhinestone will depend on the design. For example, if you are blinging words you can use a double row of smaller sized rhinestones. Then again, for a slightly different look, use a single row of larger rhinestones. Some designs lend themselves to a variety of sizes. Finally, the quantity you need will depend on again, your design and how you are spacing the rhinestones out. Still have questions? Sometimes, you just need to talk to someone to walk you through the process. Or maybe you need a different amount than what you see packaged. Moreover, you may want to talk with someone who knows rhinestones and can help you make the best choices. We, at Rhinestones Etc, want to help you make the best rhinestone choices for your project. Browse our online store to find your rhinestones supplies. If you are new to rhinestones, you know the choices can be overwhelming! Even with just sew on rhinestones they are different types. Most have predrilled holes on the ends of the rhinestones to make them easy to sew. Simply sew through the holes to attach the rhinestone. However, one type of sew on rhinestone is different; it has a metal setting attached. This rhinestone, called a Rose Montee, has cross channels underneath in the setting. Using Rose Montees gives you the look of a metal setting without prongs piercing through your clothing material. A needle can be easily threaded through the cross channels to sew to your clothing. But one of the most exciting uses is in jewelry design. Although primarily manufactured as a sew on rhinestone, Rose Montees are also great for jewelry makers. Depending in the gauge of the wire, either 1 or 2 wires can be threaded through the cross channels. How to Use Rose Montees in Jewelry Making The underneath cross channels make Rose Montees ideal for jewelry making. Simple or elaborate patterns can be used to make a variety of rhinestone jewelry pieces. Even if you are not an experienced, you can make some simple jewelry with Rose Montees. Use two pieces of thin flexible wire to thread through the channels. Loop the ends and hold together with crimp beads. Attach a clasps and you have a tennis style bracelet. Larger size Rose Montees can be threaded with 20-22 gauge wire and then wrapped to make a ring. Try different wire wraps and different size rhinestones for a different look. Let’s not forget about earrings! Thread a head pin through the cross channels. Make a loop and attach a jump ring and earring wires for a pair of earrings. For a slightly different look, use several different sizes. Set your imagination free and see what you can come up with! Rose Montees are ideal for so many of your jewelry making projects. Do you need some Rose Montees to get started on your next project? Rhinestones Etc can help! With discount prices, excellent customer service, and a great selection of embellishments, we want to see you sparkle! And now get free shipping off your first purchase from Rhinestones Etc! Just click on the button above to get your coupon code! Rhinestones are dazzling crystal pieces that add sparkle wherever you put them. One type, flat back rhinestones have a flat back and need an adhesive. Whereas one side is faceted, the other side is flat. This differentiates them from pointed backs and hot fix. Pointed back rhinestones do not have a flat side but a faceted pointed side that allows for more brilliance. Hot fix rhinestones have a flat back with glue that needs to be heated for the glue to be activated. Types of Rhinestones Rhinestones can be made of glass, crystal or acrylic material. Acrylic is the cheapest rhinestone and is a molded rhinestone. Acrylic material is poured into a mold to form the facets. For glass and crystal rhinestones, the facets are cut by laser for a cleaner, more precise facet. Crystal rhinestones are the most expensive just as Waterford crystal is more expensive than a wine glass. While glass does reflect light, it lacks the prismatic quality of crystal. A prismatic effect has the ability to break up the light much like a prism. In addition, the number of facets and arrangement of facets on the rhinestone affects the reflection of light. This will vary depending on the manufacturer. Many brands have 12 facets but one brand, Swarovski, has the most at 16. Most flat back rhinestones come in a variety of sizes from the size of a pinhead to the size of a dime. Also. there are a variety of colors available in every shade of the rainbow. Ultimately, all of these factors, material, facets, size and color determine the price of the rhinestones. How Can Flat Back Rhinestones Be Used? There is an almost endless amount of ways flat back rhinestones can be used. First of all, rhinestones can be glued to clothing. Frequently, wedding dresses and other formal wear are embellished with rhinestones. Sports such as figure skating, gymnastics and women’s figure competition suits all use rhinestones. Dance and cheerleading costumes all use rhinestones as well. Interior design is another place flat back where rhinestones can be used. You can bling out candlesticks, coffee mugs, glass items and even deer antlers. Rhinestone wallpaper is also a new fashion statement that is catching on. Any area that you want to draw attention to or brighten can benefit from the use of rhinestones. Of course, rhinestone jewelry is also very popular. Cheaper than the cost of diamonds yet with just as much sparkle, rhinestones never fail to dazzle. Is There a Certain Glue to Use? There is a 2-step process to gluing flat back rhinestones: choosing the right glue and gluing correctly. Many people only focus on choosing which glue to use. This is unfortunate because gluing incorrectly and lead to rhinestones falling off. For fabrics, my favorite glue is Gem-Tac. It dries clear, is washable and easy to apply. To adhere rhinestones to materials such as metal, glass and vinyl, I like to use E6000. Similarly, this glue dries clear and is washable, but is harder to apply. When gluing rhinestones, use an amount of glue slightly smaller than the rhinestone. Some of the glue should seep out from the sides when the rhinestone is gently pressed into the glue. This creates a seal which helps prevent the rhinestones from falling off. Use too little glue, and you are likely to lose some rhinestones the next time you wash your garment. So, what are you waiting for? Do you want to get started on a rhinestone project? Rhinestones Etc. has competitive pricing and great customer service! We’ve been in business for over 10 years helping customers create dazzling blinged-out creations. If you are new to rhinestones, you are probably overwhelmed by the options and choices. Who knew there were so many colors to choose from? And sizes? It’s certainly not one size fits all. Then there are pointed back rhinestones or flat back rhinestones. When are pointed back rhinestones used? Pointed back rhinestones A pointed back is comprised of three main areas: the girdle, crown and pavilion. The girdle is the widest part of the stone. Next, the crown is the part above the girdle and the pavilion below. Facets are cut along the pavilion as well as the crown to reflect light to provide the maximum brilliance. Light entering the crown will be reflected back through the crown by the facets in the pavilion. This method of faceting takes the best advantage of the optical properties of the stone to produce maximum sparkle. Pointed back rhinestones can be used in jewelry making. These rhinestones require a setting in a cup shape for the pointed back to sit in. Browse the internet and you can find settings for rings, earring and pendants. Depending on the type of setting, the rhinestone is either glued in or the prongs are bent to hold the rhinestone. Nail design is another way small pointed-backs can be used. Sizes such as 10ss or smaller work well as the pavilion is small. Videos on YouTube show technicians placing rhinestones into the topcoat or attached with nail glue. You can read how to attach rhinestones to nails here. Flat Back Rhinestones Flat back rhinestones are coated with foil on the backside and facets are cut just on the crown. In this case, the foil coating helps reflect light back up through the facets cut into the crown. Additionally, the number of facets cut into the crown affect the amount of sparkle; the more facets, the more sparkle. Swarovski’s Xirius Rhinestone has the most with 16 facets and most other manufacturer’s having 10 or 12 facets. There are settings for flat back rhinestones in jewelry making as well. Simply glue the rhinestone to the flat surface on the setting or bend the prongs to hold the rhinestone. Nail design allows for more creativity as larger size stones can be glued to the nail surface. Moreover, this allows for a wider variety of rhinestone sizes to be used. So how do I choose which type of rhinestone to use? First, determine its use when choosing between the two types . Clothing, shoes, dancing and skating costumes will require flat back rhinestones. However, nails and jewelry making depends simply on your preference. Rhinestones Etc. sells quality rhinestones with excellent customer service.
As the ballroom dancers move across the floor, they create a blur of glittering light. The rhinestones on their dance costumes sparkle. Their movement in conjunction with the rhinestones produce a glittery brilliance that you just can’t miss. What is it about rhinestone bling that draws our attention to them and we just can’t look away? What creates Rhinestone Sparkle? There are two rhinestone bling factors to consider: material and facets. Rhinestones are pieces of crystal, glass or acrylic with facets on them. Both need to be considered together when discussing bling rhinestone bling. Rhinestones Material First, the material the rhinestone is made from affects its sparkle. Crystal has reflective properties or the ability to reflect light. In addition, it has a prismatic effect or the ability to break up light much like a prism. Glass has some reflective properties but no prismatic qualities. And acrylic has softer reflection properties than glass with no prismatic effect either. Facets Affect Rhinestone Bling Name brand rhinestones such as Swarovski or Preciosa start out as a single piece of crystal. Facets are laser cut into the crystal to form the rhinestone. Likewise, glass rhinestones are usually laser cut as well. Acrylic rhinestones are formed from molds. 16 facet rhinestone 10 facet rhinestone Moreover, the greater the number of facets a rhinestone has, the more sparkle it creates. Comparatively, it is also true that the more facets a rhinestone has, the more expensive it is. Swarovski’s Xirius Rhinestones has the most facets on the market, 16. These facets are arranged in a star shaped pattern. It is also the most expensive rhinestone. Preciosa has 12 facets. Other less known brands have 10. Generally, acrylic rhinestones have 8 facets. Furthermore, the facets on all these rhinestones including Preciosa, are arranged around the side. So, in conclusion, the bling factor is affected by two factors: material and facets. Primarily, the first factor to consider is what the rhinestone is made from. And the second factor is the number of facets. Each must be considered when deciding which rhinestone is right for your project. Need help in deciding? Rhinestones Etc. can help. Contact us with all your rhinestone questions. We ship rhinestones fast! You’ve been browsing online looking for some good quality rhinestones. As you look at sellers on Amazon, Ebay or the web, you find that there is a big difference in the pricing. In addition, some have brand names attached to them. Others you see are marked MC quality while others are marked DMC. Just what are MC and DMC and how do you know if you are getting quality rhinestones? Brand Name Rhinestones Famous brand name rhinestones, Swarovski and Preciosa, have been around for a long time. Since they are established companies, their quality is assured. And they are the most expensive as well. Brand name rhinestones are laser cut from a single piece of crystal. However, rhinestone manufacturers have emerged in Asia, particularly Korea and China. These manufacturers have labeled their product, DMC and MC. So, what is the difference in quality between the name brands and Machine Cut Rhinestones? Diamante Machine Cut and Machine Cut DMC stands for Diamante Machine Cut. Diamante rhinestones generally refer to Korean made rhinestones. These rhinestones can be glass or crystal. MC are Chinese made and are also machine cut rhinestones. Chinese rhinestones can also be crystal or glass. While Asian rhinestones are machine cut, there is more to the quality of the rhinestone than just machine cut. There is a noticeable difference between glass rhinestones and crystal rhinestones. Glass is made by mixing silica sand, limestone and soda ash. Mix glass components with lead or in lead free crystal barium oxide, potassium oxide or zinc oxide to make crystal. Crystal has a prismatic effect which has the ability to break light up much like a prism. Color and clarity of a rhinestone are also very important. Imagine buying a lot of rhinestones and the color is slightly off or the rhinestone is cloudy. Furthermore, the number of facets in each rhinestone determines the quality. The greater the number of facets, the greater the reflection of light. Whereas it is difficult to determine the quality of rhinestones online, you should be able to easily tell the difference if buying in person. If buying online, check out the reviews of the seller before buying. While this is helpful, customers have different perception of quality. When quality is very important to you, stay with a brand name rhinestone. If price is very important to you, then you will probably be happy with daimante rhinestones. Rhinestones Etc has been selling quality crystal products since 2011. With fast shipping and excellent customer shipping, we get your rhinestones to your doorstep very quickly! Browse our online store to find your rhinestone color! |
KarenI have been adding bling for over 20 years. Through my projects, I hope you find inspiration. Categories
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February 2024
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