Rhinestone Sizes - Which Is Right One for My Project?

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Small, medium, or large - it’s a question many people need to answer frequently.  With many items available in multiple sizes, you need to decide which measurement is best. For your needs. Rhinestone sizes are no exception, and can range from tiny pinhead to large quarter size, and everything in between.

​How To Choose the Best Rhinestone Size for Your Project?
Often, name-brand rhinestones are available in over a dozen different sizes. Even generic brands may have several size options. With many sizes available, you can easily become overwhelmed by the choices.

However, usually certain sizes work better for particular projects. For example, bling nail designs typically use smaller-sized crystals like 6ss, 8ss, or 10ss. Furthermore, intricate designs or words also require the use of small rhinestones.

Yet, some projects, like stoning dance costumes or formal wear, require medium-sized crystals like 16ss, 20ss, or 30ss. Sometimes you may even want to use a mix of sizes for an unpredictable play of light. Thus, the scope of your bling project can help you narrow down your choices.

Often, the rhinestones size is also dependent on the area you need to cover. For example, encrusting shoes with rhinestones presents a large area to cover. In this case, you don’t want to use tiny rhinestones or the project will be very time-consuming. However, sometimes covering a large area with bigger rhinestones may leave gaps between stones. For these situations, you can use small rhinestones to fill in any empty spaces.

​Do Certain Rhinestone Sizes Have More Sparkle?
Rhinestone facets act like mirrors, reflecting light to the viewer’s eye. When comparing rhinestones from the same manufacturer, the larger rhinestone will have more sparkle. This is due to the larger surface area of the facet.

However, sparkle greatly differs between different manufacturers due to several factors:

1. Material
Rhinestones can be crystal, glass, or acrylic. These different materials reflect and refract different amounts of light.

2. Number of Facets
Manufacturers create a varying number of facets in their product. Some rhinestones have as few as 10, while others have 16. The more facets a rhinestone has, the greater the play of light.

3. Arrangement of Facets
The symmetry and angles of the rhinestone’s facet along the face of the crystal also determine light reflection and refraction.

​When Shopping for Rhinestone Sizes, What Does “ss” Mean Anyway?
As you shop for rhinestones, you will notice retailers showing sizing by a number followed by “ss”. With rhinestones, the larger the number, the larger the rhinestone. The “ss” designation harkens back to years ago when rhinestones were a naturally occurring product. Collectors would group these natural rhinestones according to their “stone size” or “ss”.

Many, if not all, vendors will have a size chart converting the “ss” into millimeter size. Thus, you can check a ruler and get the exact measurements of the rhinestones. For your convenience, you can view our conversion chart with both ss and millimeter sizing here.

​What Is the Best Rhinestone Size for Your Bedazzling Project?
​Often, there is no right or wrong answer to this question. Sizing, like color choice and manufacturer, is a personal choice. You may want bigger bling for a dramatic statement or a more subtle sparkle with smaller stones.

If you’re having difficulty deciding on a size, drop us a message. We’ll be glad to offer suggestions to help you pick a rhinestone size that’s right for you.

Where Is the Best Place to Buy Rhinestones Online?
Rhinestones Etc. has been selling rhinestones online since 2011, and we’ve helped many customers with their bling projects. We understand you need your rhinestones fast, so we offer same-day shipping on orders placed by 2 pm EST. Plus, we offer outstanding customer service and great rhinestone prices.

Browse our online store to find the perfect crystal size before you begin your next bling project.