WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT RHINESTONES?

They were given the name because there was an abundance of rock crystals discovered in a river in Austria- River Rhine. These crystals were used to make a lovely simulation of diamonds. Rhinestones these days refer to a range of lead glass. During the 18th century, Georg Friedrich Strass started to coat a side of lead glass with metal powder so as to make them look like diamonds.

Over time, many jewelers and companies have found ways to derive various types and sizes of these stones as imitations of diamonds. In contrast to what is known as rhinestones today, rock crystals produce glistening effect without any coating. These crystals had innate impurities that produced a glittering effect when they come in contact with light. High demand led to a depletion and then scarcity of the natural crystals.

Strass started out by coating glass crystals with metals in the 18th century. At first there existed a technique which involved bonding metal foil to glass crystals; this was later replaced with metal coating. These crystals became very popular at that particular period and many people started calling rhinestones Strass.

The Swarovski Years

During the 19th century however, Daniel Swarovski discovered a method for cutting and polishing glass with precision; he created a machine that could cut faceted glass. Glass cut with this machine dazzled and sparkled more than those that were cut with hand. This innovative technique helped to make very good quality crystal glass rhinestones in large quantities.

Today, there are many companies trying to mimic the Swarovski technique. Swarovski rhinestones however are referred to as the best around the globe and are used by famous designers all around the globe. Apart from their use in fabric, rhinestones can also be used in hats, purses, shoes, aprons, graduation caps, sportswear, uniforms and so on.

Types of Rhinestones

Rhinestones are carefully cut glass or crystal, with backing that has lead in it. It is this lead backing that causes the sparkle of these rhinestones. However, it becomes confusing to classify rhinestones since all of them have a foiled back. There are several ways to classify rhinestones. They can either be Swarovski, Czech, Korean, Acrylic or Plastic.

Swarovski Rhinestones

They have been referred to as the best rhinestones around the globe. The name Swarovski can only be associated with rhinestones that are made particularly by the Swarovski Company. Most Swarovski rhinestones have an 8 facet cut. Swarovski make the following types of rhinestone;

Flat back Rhinestones

These rhinestones have a flat back on the stones and they come as either foiled or un-foiled. They require additional glue to attach them to surfaces and are also referred to as non-hotfix rhinestones.

Hotfix Rhinestones

These types of rhinestones come with adhesive already applied on the backing. They are similar to the foil backed stones, they also have a flat back and they attach to surfaces when heat is applied, preferably with a hotfix rhinestone applicator or iron.

Sew on Rhinestones

These resemble the flat back rhinestones but they have a hole on either side of the crystal through which they can be sewn into whatever material they want to be applied on. These rhinestones can be removed more easily than those that have glue.

Czech Rhinestones

Czech Machine Cut

This rhinestone has a comparatively large table with 8 facets. From afar they give brighter flashes than Swarovski rhinestones, because of this, customers demand for them in large quantities. Although Swarovski rhinestones are considered the best, Czech rhinestones have a similar quality and people want them because they cost less than the Swarovski rhinestones.

Czech Extra Grade

Czech Extra Grade facets are molded and these facets are not as sharp as the machine cut. It should be noted that it is not made from lead crystal but from glass. This causes it to have a reduced brilliance when compared to Swarovski or the Czech Machine cut.

Acrylic or Plastic Rhinestones

Although they are made to look like rhinestones, they are not stones in the real sense. They are pieces of plastic made to look like stones. There is a major difference between them and crystals because they do not sparkle and this is because acrylic does not transmit light like the glass or lead crystals, also these so called stones fall apart easily, because they are made from plastic. Although they are cost friendly for costumes, they should never be considered as jewelry. Another difference between crystal and acrylic rhinestones is that crystal rhinestones have the mirror part attached as a coating which can later peel off but in acrylics, the mirror is an internal part.

Korean Rhinestones

Korean rhinestones have very low quality when compared to rhinestones made in Europe. They are single cut and have poor light reflecting qualities, which is reflected in their inability to dazzle like other crystals.

How to apply rhinestones

Flat back rhinestones

Applying this is largely dependent on the surface to which they are to be applied, but there are different glues that can be used. When the rhinestones are to be applied to leather, or when it is to be used on fabric for sportswear, sports uniforms, T-shirts, gym wear e.tc.; it is best to use Gemtac glue as it dries quickly and is non-toxic. Some surfaces like shoes and hand bags require stronger glue; e6000 is a perfect choice for these surfaces, however, care has to be taken not to inhale the fume because it is toxic.

Whatever the surface is, it is usually good to prepare by cleaning the surface with alcohol before using any adhesive. Where it is suitable, emery paper can be used to scratch the surface so as to make sure the surface bonds well with the rhinestones. We recommend using our service to apply the stones as we know the exact technique.

Hotfix rhinestones

These rhinestones require heat to melt the glue already present on the stones. The stones can be laid on the surface and the glue melted by applying an iron; when using an iron however, make sure the steam is turned off and place a fabric on the crystals before running the iron on them. Repeat this action until the glue has liquefied.

Another way to do this is to use a hotfix applicator. This resembles a soldering iron and it has substitutable tips to allow different rhinestone shapes and sizes. The rhinestones have to be laid out with the adhesive side up. With the correct size tip on the applicator, you can put it on and apply to the rhinestones, after a few minutes, the rhinestones can be picked up and pressed onto the surface.

Sew on rhinestones

As self explanatory as the name is, these rhinestones are stitched into whichever surface they are to be applied. They can also be used in jewelry by linking them using wire.

Rhinestone Cuts and Sizes

What really affects the brilliance of rhinestones is the cut, so before paying for them or using them in your design, make sure you know exactly what you need. When they have more facets, they glimmer more than those with fewer facets, but those that have fewer facets will flash more. It should be known that when looking at a close distance; the more facets a rhinestone has, the better it will appear. The ultimate test of a rhinestone however, should be the distance at which it is being viewed. At greater distances, rhinestones with fewer facets are superior in effect. The most popular gauges for rhinestone sizes are the “SS” (Stone Size) and “PP” (Pearl Plate).

Rhinestones are usually sold however, using the “SS”
SS5 =1.8mm, SS9 =2.6mm, SS12 =3.2mm, SS16 =4.0mm, SS20 =5.0mm, SS30 =6.5mm, SS40 =8.5mm, SS48 =11mm.

PP (Pearl Plate) is also used as a gauge for rhinestone size, especially when it is to be used in jewellery.

We should know however, that the PP and SS are not exact sizes but they generally show a size range.
SS3 = 7 – 8, SS4 = 9 – 10, SS5 = 11 – 12, SS6 = 13 – 14, SS7 = 15 – 16, SS8 = 17 – 18, SS9 = 19 – 20, SS10 = 21 – 22, SS16 = 31.

Rhinestone Colors

In giving rhinestones colors, the most important thing is to capture the color it resembles. In reality, rhinestones come in lot of colors, but they can be generally classified as:

Crystal: This is the conventional diamond look alike. It is the most commonly available, with a clear appearance and no color.
Effect Colors: These special rhinestones are made by polarizing the glass. This causes an appearance of two or more colors, dependent on the stone comes in contact with light.
Colors AB: AB rhinestones are made by applying a coating of Aurora Borealis to the crystal. This will cause a an effect that is prismatic when light is refracted, showing the complete rainbow colors but still allowing the base color to show through.
Transparent Colors: These rhinestone colors are usually given the name of the gem or minerals they look like e.g. Royal Blue (Sapphire), Purple (Amethyst), Lime (Peridot) and many more.