History of Swarovski Rhinestones
Definition: rhinestones - colorless imitation stones of high luster made of glass, paste, or gem quartz
Rhinestones are pieces of faceted glass. The original rhinestones were pebbles of rock crystal from the Rhine River (Austria's western boundary). The true sparkle began in about 1775 when a French jeweler named George Frederic Stras had an idea to coat the lower side of glass with metal powder. The resulting quality closely imitated diamonds. They still were not real affordable because the stones were individually handcrafted.
1892 Daniel Swarovski, son of a Bohemian gem cutter, applied for a patent on his first invention: a machine that cuts crystal jewelry stones with unprecedented precision.
1895 Swarovski moves to Austria, where his invention could be powered by water, to set up a factory specializing in the production of cut crystal jewelry stones. Success in producing rhinestones economically without compromising the quality of the cut is achieved which meant acceptance in the jewelry industry.
1911 Daniel and his three sons refine methods to produce stones to a state of flawless brilliance. 1917 the company succeeds in producing grinding wheels for cutting crystal stones to increase production capacity.
1955 the Aurora Borealis is presented; a coating is applied to crystal stones to produce a rainbow of colors effect.
1956 Daniel dies at the grand old age of 94 leaving one of Austrians largest companies and one of the world's largest producers of rhinestones which exports 80% of its production.
Swarovski Alternative
Preciosa™ Genuine Czech Crystal™
Preciosa™ Genuine Czech Crystal™ is a world leading producer of cut crystal, specializing mainly in the production of machine cut chatons of top quality and in a broad variety of shapes, colors and sizes. The VIVA12™, featuring 12 facets, is the most commonly used flat back offered by Preciosa. The company’s headquarters are in Jablonec nad Nisou (Northern Bohemia), in a region with hundreds of years of glass making tradition.
There are three ways used to measure rhinestone sizes. The terms are Stone Size (ss), Pearl Plate (pp), and Millimeter (mm). The following rhinestone size chart shows relative sizes of each. Please note that due to differences in computer screens and printers, this chart should be used as an approximation.
12ss
_____________ X 25.4 = __________ / 3.1 = _____________ / 144 = ______________
# inches to cover......................................# of rhinestones................. # of gross
16ss
Solid line of Rhinestones (use formula below to estimate total needed)
_____________ X 25.4 = __________ / 3.9 = _____________ / 144 = ______________
# inches to cover......................................# of rhinestones................. # of gross
20ss
Solid line of Rhinestones (use formula below to estimate total needed)
_____________ X 25.4 = __________ / 4.7 = _____________ / 144 = ______________
# inches to cover......................................# of rhinestones................. # of gross
30ss
Solid line of Rhinestones (use formula below to estimate total needed)
_____________ X 25.4 = __________ / 6.41 = _____________ / 144 = ______________
# inches to cover....................................# of rhinestones................... # of gross
34ss
Solid line of Rhinestones (use formula below to estimate total needed)
_____________ X 25.4 = __________ / 7.17 = _____________ / 144 = ______________
# inches to cover......................................# of rhinestones................. # of gross
SOLID COVERAGE PER INCH
12ss
Solid Rhinestones = 67.14 sq. inch
16ss
Solid Rhinestones = 42.41 per sq. inch
20ss
Solid Rhinestones = 29.20 per sq. inch
30ss
Solid Rhinestones = 15.68 per sq. inch
34ss
Solid Rhinestones = 12.43 per sq. inch
|
||||||||||||||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |

How to Attach Flat Back Rhinestones (Crystals)
Adhesives (Gluing) Method
Many types of glue are acceptable for attaching rhinestones or crystals, except (1) the isocyanate glues (e.g., instant adhesives), (2) any glue containing acetone, and (3) hot glue. There are several brands of glue that are specifically formulated for bonding rhinestones or crystals to fabric. Our product line of recommended adhesives & glue product line includes Beacon Gem-Tac, E-6000, Devcon epoxies, and Aleene's.
We personally prefer Beacon Gem-Tac because it is the least expensive, you only need a small amount, and it dries completely clear, which means no more globs of glue around the rhinestones—just pure shimmer and shine. It's easy to attach rhinestones with adhesives. Please remember to do a test on a spare piece of fabric or in an inconspicuous spot, use glue that dries transparent, make sure to cover all edges of the stones to minimize them from peeling off, follow the manufacturer's instructions, always wash with great care and on a low temperature.
How to Use and Apply Hotfix Rhinestones (Crystals) and Metals
Hotfix rhinestones and metals can be applied with various tools and methods, as described in the manuals from Swarovski and Preciosa, listed below. Be sure to follow the instructions for the brand of hotfix rhinestones you are using. We also offer some general information about using hotfix trims.
Hotfix rhinestones and metals are not recommended for attachment to plastic, metals, glass, or denim.
General Guidelines for Using Hotfix Rhinestones (Crystals)
Fabrics should be pre-washed and free of any chemical finish, such as water resistant treatments. When working with stretch fabrics, try to slightly pre-stretch the fabrics before applying hot fix crystals. Always test the application on a sample swatch or in an inconspicuous area.
Some general guidelines for using handheld hotfix wands or applicators, such as BeJeweled or Crystal Craft:
- Note there are two types of tips included with most wands. Flats (spots) are designed for use with metals and hotfix shapes. When using these types of trims, you will place the trim on the garment and set the tool tip on top of the trim until the glue is heated.
- The second type of tip is the concave rounded tip. These are for use with flat back rhinestones and pearls. The shape of the tip allows you to pick up the rhinestone with the tool. When the glue is melted, you will place the rhinestone on the fabric. Be sure to use the same size tip as the rhinestone size you are working with.
- While the tool is heating up, get your rhinestones ready. For example, pour out some of the rhinestones onto a paper plate, glue side down. By doing this, the rhienstones are spread out and are easier to pick up with the hot fix wand.
- After you pick up the stone with the hotfix tool, you may want to angle the tool a bit so the stone does not fall out.
- Do not "slide" the rhinestone once you have placed it.
Placing Rhinestones Accurately for Your Design
And here are a few tips about making sure you place your rhinestones according to your planned design:
- To speed up the process, you may want to "chalk dot" the pattern on your garment before starting. That will allow you to work quickly because the locations of the rhinestones are already dotted out for you.
- If you are working on a complicated or detailed design, consider using hotfix transfer paper. You can trace your design onto the paper to make the placement of the hot fix stones easier and more precise, then apply heat using a household iron to set them all at once.
- If your handheld hotfix tool didn't come with the size tip you need, or if a tip wears out, we have replacement tips available.
Color Cross Reference for Sequins and Swarovski Elements Rhinestones
Here are some tips: Combine sequins and rhinestones in your designs. For example, you can glue an 8mm Zodiac sequin to fabric, then glue a smaller flat back rhinestone centered on top of the sequin. The larger sequin creates more coverage and a sparkly base, and you still get that brilliant flash from the flat back—without the cost of a larger stone! Or, another great way to get more sparkle on a budget is to mix stones and sequins; this works with any pattern or design!
Use this page to cross reference sequin colors to Swarovski Elements rhinestone colors. Use rhinestones for the maximum impact, but add cost-effective sequins to "stretch" the sparkle in your costumes and projects. This guide provides combinations that are similar, coordinated matches. Sample cards are recommended for exact color matching.
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The best way to determine your ring size is to get it measured at a jewelry store. However, if that is not possible, you can determine an approximate ring size by using one of the following methods. Measure the circumference (distance around) your finger with something flexible, such as a piece of string, and then place the string next to a metric ruler (a ruler with millimeter measurements). Or, measure the diameter (distance across) in millimeters of the inside of a ring you currently wear. Find the nearest measurement on the chart below. That's approximately your ring size.
When in doubt between two sizes, it is always safer to go to the next larger ring size. Also, if your knuckles are larger than where you wear your ring, measure the circumference of your knuckle and then pick something between the two sizes. Measure your finger in warm temperatures at the end of the day when the fingers are largest.
Ring Size | Circumference (in mm) | Inside Diameter (in mm) |
---|---|---|
4 | 46.7 | 14.9 mm |
4.5 | 47.9 | 15.2 mm |
5 | 49.3 | 15.7 mm |
5.5 | 50.4 | 16.1 mm |
6 | 51.8 | 16.5 mm |
6.5 | 53 | 16.9 mm |
7 | 54.4 | 17.4 mm |
7.5 | 55.5 | 17.8 mm |
8 | 56.9 | 18.1 mm |
8.5 | 58 | 18.6 mm |
9 | 59.5 | 18.9 mm |
9.5 | 60.5 | 19.5 mm |
10 | 62.1 | 19.9 mm |
10.5 | 63.1 | 20.3 mm |
11 | 64.6 | 20.7 mm |
11.5 | 65.6 | 21.2 mm |
12 | 67.2 | 21.6 mm |
12.5 | 68.1 | 22 mm |
13 | 69.7 | 22.3 mm |
13.5 | 70.7 | 22.8 mm |
14 | 72.3 | 23 mm |
14.5 | 73.3 | 23.5 mm |
15 | 74.8 | 23.8 mm |
16 | 77.4 | 24.6 mm |
"Ring Snuggies" are helpful if a ring is too large or you have big knuckles. Ring Snuggies are little clear plastic tubes that fit over the shank of your ring, to keep the ring in place. They are easy to put on and remove while the ring is on your finger. You can cut them to fit any size, they do not damage your rings and they are hardly noticeable to anyone. These neat little devices also keep your ring from rolling sideways. Package of 6 assorted sizes available on our website - see below. (Ring Snuggies are also available at Walmart.
cowgirl
/?ka??g?rl/ [kou-gurl]1. | a woman who herds and tends cattle on a ranch, esp. in the western U.S., and who traditionally goes about most of her work on horseback. |
2. | a woman who exhibits the skills attributed to such cowgirls, esp. in rodeos. |
1880&
Howlite is the mineral form of calcium borosilicate hydroxide: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howlite
Although chemically different, they both can be carved and dyed.