When people think of shiny decorations, they always think of rhinestones. It can be seen everywhere, such as makeup, manicures, DIY handcrafts, mobile phone cases, earrings, jewelry, clothing, carnivals, etc.
However, do you know enough about rhinestones before you use or buy them? Are rhinestones diamonds? Are Swarovski crystals real diamonds? What are diamonds that look like glass called? Can rhinestones be dyed? I heard that the rhinestones turn yellow. Is that true?
Whether you are just getting started with rhinestones or are already an experienced buyer, the 7 rhinestone myths discussed here are worth a look!
1. Rhinestones are diamonds.
Rhinestones are often mistaken for diamonds, but they are completely different. Diamond is a natural substance. It is a colorless crystal of carbon, the hardest substance known to naturally exist. Rhinestones are not as valuable as diamond. They are made of artificial materials and are divided into different materials like glass, crystal, and plastic. The designs diamonds are often used in are the decoration of jewelry or clothing.
2. Rhinestones are Crystal Glass.
Crystal glass is a type of rhinestone material. People give different names according to the rhinestone material. For example, a rhinestone made out of acrylic material is called an acrylic rhinestone. Therefore, some people will directly call the rhinestones a crystal glass or crystal rhinestones.
In fact, according to Wikipedia, rhinestones originally refer to diamond mimics made of crystal. It was until later that rhinestones were made from more materials like glass, artificial crystals, acrylics, etc. As a result, the definition of rhinestones has become more extensive.
Crystal vs diamond: Is a diamond a crystal?
Crystal as a noun means “highly transparent glass with a high refractive index.” Diamond is a precious stone consisting of a clear and colourless crystalline form of pure carbon.
Crystal is a type of material and diamond is a nature substance. They are different.
3. Rhinestone Cannot be Painted.
If you think that the rhinestones are only transparent, you are greatly mistaken! Other than the common transparent color, rhinestones have many different effects, such as the color of opal, high-tech iron gray, marble, and other textures. Many of the effects are created by spray painting.
So, next time if someone asks you if a rhinestone can be painted, you can just say yes.
4. Rhinestone Cannot be Dyed.
Not necessarily, you need to look at the material of the rhinestone. If the rhinestone is made of glass, it cannot be dyed. If it is a plastic rhinestone (such as resin or acrylic), then it can be dyed. You just need to be familiar with the technology of dying, and in the appropriate environment.
Many people like to use rhinestones of different colors when they are creating. However, even if there are hundreds of colors on the market, sometimes it is not enough. Therefore, some people will choose to use the method of dyeing rhinestones to get a variety of colors. In order to save costs, some manufacturers only produce transparent white rhinestones, and other colors are processed by dyeing.
5. All rhinestones are Swarovski.
The options of rhinestones are very diverse. Swarovski is only one of the brands. They have unique crystal cutting technology and are well known internationally. Many high-end accessories and clothing accessories use Swarovski rhinestones.
However, Swarovski’s rhinestone price is relatively high. There are also many choices on the market, such as Preciosa (Czech rhinestones), Korean rhinestones, glass rhinestones, acrylic rhinestones, resin rhinestones, etc. According to the design style, budget, and market acceptance, you can choose the right rhinestones.
6. Rhinestones are expensive.
The brands and materials of rhinestones on the market are very diverse and the selection is quite rich. Of course, the rhinestone price is also a lot different. The most well-known rhinestone brand – Swarovski, is at a higher price. Why are Swarovski crystals expensive? It is because they have a long history and are made of unique crystal glass with top-notch rhinestone cutting technology.
However, if you don’t have much of a budget, you can choose to use plastic rhinestones, such as acrylic. People sometimes call them plastic diamond or plastic gemstones. The options for acrylic rhinestone are very diverse, lightweight, they come in many colors, suitable for all kinds of jewelry, accessory designs.
7. Rhinestones will turn yellow easily.
If the rhinestone you bought turns yellow after a while, it may be that you have bought a resin rhinestone. Resin rhinestones are prone to yellowing due to oxidation, the nature of the material. Other rhinestones such as glass, crystal glass, acrylic, etc., do not yellow easily as long as they are stored in an appropriate environment (not exposed to high temperatures, not too moist).
We hope that the above seven myths about rhinestones can give you some help. Whether you are just starting to learn about rhinestones or are ready to buy, the most important thing is to choose the right rhinestone material, quality, reasonable price, and quality supplier.
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SUNMEI is a specialized manufacturer of acrylic rhinestone and button for over 20 years. We provide a wide selections of acrylic rhinestones and buttons. Visit our product page and find out more styles!
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SUNMEI is a specialized manufacturer of acrylic rhinestone and button for over 20 years. We provide a wide selections of acrylic rhinestones and buttons. Visit our product page and find out more styles!