The Complete Guide to Bedazzling Rhinestones

Bedazzling Rhinestones - Everything You Need To Know

From ancient times to today, sparkling gems have captivated our attention. At first, only the nobility or the rich could afford to have jewelry made from precious stones. As time passed, artisans learned how to create beautiful bedazzling rhinestones to compete with gemstones.
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A Short History of Crystal Rhinestones

In the early 1700s, a breakthrough came. A French jeweler, Georg Friedrich Strass, developed imitation gems. He discovered that coating a piece of glass with metal powder created a sparkle similar to a diamond. Although cheaper than real gems, these rhinestones were still expensive. Artisans had to cut each faux gem by hand.

Nonetheless, manufacturing rhinestones blossomed in Bohemia, now the Czech Republic. Over the decades, individual skilled artisans continued to produce beautiful bedazzling rhinestones.

One of these 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. Decades later, the individual Bohemian manufacturers merged to form the Preciosa brand.
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Today, many other rhinestone manufacturers offer products in a variety of shapes and colors. While most people consider European crystal the finest, the Asian markets have penetrated the market with cheaper alternatives. 

Types of Bedazzling Rhinestones

​Typically, there are 3 main rhinestone materials:

1. Crystal

Rhinestones manufactured from crystal are the most expensive rhinestones. To create crystal, manufacturers mix glass with lead or other components, which makes it clearer and prismatic. The prismatic effect is the ability to break white light into colors, similar to a prism. Due to 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.
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2. Glass

A mixture of silica, lime, and soda or potash, glass rhinestones are a step below crystal. Glass rhinestones have a lower refractive index, offering a less sparkly appearance. Additionally, these also lack the prismatic quality of crystal. Generally, manufacturers may mold or machine cut glass rhinestones.
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3. Plastic (Acrylic, Jelly, and Resin)

Finally, there are the plastic rhinestones, which include acrylic, jelly, and resin. As the cheapest material, they also offer the least amount of sparkle. These rhinestones are a great choice for children’s crafts. 
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Rhinestones Quality Considerations

Rhinestone manufacturers vary in the quality of their product. However, most retailers sell rhinestones online. This makes viewing the characteristics firsthand impossible. In these cases, make your purchases from a reliable, established business with a good reputation.

To determine the rhinestone’s quality, check the component for certain attributes:
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Color

Each rhinestone should reflect the same color trueness and intensity. Variations shouldn’t exist between batches.

Cut

Manufacturers create sparkle by positioning facets along the rhinestone’s face. Both the number of facets and their arrangement affect its sparkle.

Clarity

​Chiefly, clarity is the lucidity or clearness of the rhinestone. The stone should be free from spots, streaks, or bubbles. Any cloudiness in the rhinestone is the mark of an inexpensive brand.

Categorizing Crystals by Methods of Attachment

Typically, manufacturers and retailers separate bedazzling rhinestones by the attachment method. There are 4 ways to attach rhinestones to fabric:

Flatback Rhinestones

Generally, the most popular way of attaching crystals to fabric is with glue. Several glues are suitable for rhinestones, although some provide a better bond on certain surfaces. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations before starting your bling project. Below are some popular choices:
 

• E6000
• Beacon’s Gem-Tac or Fabri-Tac
• Aleene’s Flexible Stretchable or Jewel it
• API Crafter’s Pick Jewel Bond
• Supertite

 
​While the choice of glue is important, so is the technique. Sometimes, crafters use too little glue, allowing the rhinestone to fall off after repeated washing. To create a secure bond, some of the glue must seep out of the sides of the rhinestone. This forms a seal to keep the embellishment from peeling off. 

Hotifx Rhinestones

Hotfix rhinestones have glue on the flat side. Glue activation occurs between a temperature range of 250° F (120° C) to 390° F (200° C). You can attach hotfix crystals using one of the following methods:

• Hotfix tool
• Non-steam iron
• Heat press

One popular way to attach hotfix crystals is with a bedazzling tool. These tools come with screw-on tips to accommodate different-sized rhinestones. To attach, you lay the rhinestones on a flat surface, facet side up. After heating your tool, place the tip over the top of the crystal faux gem. The rhinestone will stick in the cup of the tip. 

After about 15 seconds, the glue will begin to bubble. Then, gently tap the rhinestone on the fabric. Be careful not to press too hard. 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.

If you choose to use an iron, use one without steam vents. Irons with vents don’t provide a flat surface for heating the rhinestones. Also, water and steam from the vents can negatively affect the hotfix application.

Furthermore, when using an iron, always press down the iron and lift straight up before applying heat elsewhere. Never slide the iron as this may move the rhinestones.
Another popular tool for attaching hotfix rhinestones is a heat press. With 2 flat, heated plates, you can attach all the rhinestones at once.
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Unfortunately, some fabrics aren’t suitable for hotfix application. These include very tightly woven textiles, smooth real or imitation leather, or 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 hotfix rhinestones on it. Alternatively, if the water pearls, the fabric is not suitable for hot fix rhinestones.
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Rhinestone Metal Settings

Metal settings are a base that uses prongs to hold rhinestones in place. Two popular types are Tiffany and rim settings.  The difference between them is the position of the prongs.

Tiffany settings have metal prongs that pierce the fabric from the inside to the outside. After placing the rhinestone in the center of the prongs, you bend them to hold the crystal in place. Comparatively, rim settings surround the crystal rhinestone in metal with the prongs penetrating from the outside to the inside. Both are available in several colors:

• Black
• Gold
• Copper
• Sliver

​Sometimes, attaching rhinestones to leather can be tricky. Using metal settings provides a durable method to embellish different items:

• Dog collars
• Belts
• Handbags
• Horse tack

Sew On Rhinestones

Typically, sew on rhinestones have pre-drilled holes at each end to stitch the crystal into place. One exception to this is the lochrosen. This crystal bling has a single hole in the middle of the crystal. You can use a bead stopper to sew it into place or clear thread.
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Metal settings with holes for sewing are another possibility in this rhinestone category. One example is the rose montee, a round crystal with cross channels on the bottom of its metal base. You can also purchase metal settings with holes for sewing for other fancy shaped rhinestones
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Sizing of Rhinestones

​Admittedly, the sizing of rhinestones is unique and different. The system goes back to when rhinestones were a natural resource. Finders of these sparkling quartz stones grouped them according to their dimensions by dropping them into different-sized holes. Usually, rhinestone retailers provide the equivalent millimeter size adjacent to the stone size for comparison.

Calculating how many rhinestones you need for a project depends on the area and the rhinestone’s size. For example, size 20ss is 4.7mm, requiring about 29 rhinestones to cover 1 square inch.

Comparatively, size 12ss is 3.1 mm, 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 on your nails, yet larger rhinestones for embellishing your wedding dress.

Where To Buy Rhinestones Online in Bulk and Smaller Packaging
Since 2011, Rhinestones Etc. has been selling quality rhinestones at competitive prices. We have a huge selection of flatback and hotfix Preciosa crystal components. Or, choose the more economically priced PriceLess brand, a quality crystal with 12 facets.

Browse our online store to find the perfect crystal bling rhinestones for your project. 

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