Narrow down the best rhinestones for your project. Time to talk about rhinestone size.
Ah, the age-old question: does size matter? I’m not sure I can fully answer that in this article, but we have some general theories to guide you when choosing the right rhinestone sizefor your next creative endeavor.
You will find three units of measurement among our products: Millimeters (mm), Stone Size (SS), and Pearl Plate (PP). The consistent unit you’ll see across our site is millimeters: Flat backs, pointed back, and sew on shapes, beads, and pendants are always referred to in millimeters.
You’ll see Stone Size and Pearl Plate when referring to some round flat back and pointed back cuts.
Stone Size and Pearl Plate sizings account for slight millimeter variances. Stone Size is currently the most common method of measuring flat back and pointed back chatons.
Pearl Plate sizing is used on the smallest rhinestones, as it can differentiate down to a tenth of a millimeter.
Fun fact: Pearl Plate comes from the traditional method of sizing pearls. A pearl would be placed on a plate in which various-sized holes had been bored. The holes through which the (sometimes irregular) pearl fell through would determine the measurement.
When we’re giving design help, we usually do recommend about 2-3 different sizes to help add dimension to the design. We often recommend using 12ss, 16ss, 20ss, 30ss & 40ss. For us, 20ss and 30ss are the most popular sizes we sell. In the image above you can reference a few common sizes. We believe the reason that 20ss and 30ss are the most popular is that there is nice differentiation but they are not "too small" and not "too big"- really "just right"!
Because of the popularity of these sizes, you will find that the broadest range of colors in 20ss and 30ss.
As you begin, we recommend flexibility when choosing color and size combinations. I also always tell fellow artists to use caution when ascertaining stone size from their computers. Because monitor display settings vary, the image in front of you may not represent the actual size of the rhinestones.A 30ss rhinestone shown on your computer screen should be about the diameter of a standard pencil eraser.
Tip: Press the Ctrl key on your keyboard while spinning the wheel on your mouse- adjust the size of the chart below until the 30ss rhinestone on the chart below is the same size as a pencil eraser! Once the screen size is set, then you should get a fairly accurate representation of the other rhinestone sizes.
If millimeters feel hard to imagine, try thinking about them as centimeters.
How big is 11mm? 11mm is 1.1 centimeters.
How big is 13mm? 13mm is 1.3 centimeters.
How big is 15mm? 15mm is 1.5 centimeters.
How big is 18mm? 18mm is 1.8 centimeters.
We have aPRINTABLE RHINESTONE SIZE CHARTfor you to use in a PDF. Before you print, be sure you have set your print scale to 100% or “None.” Or, if you order a flat back color sample card, they will include a size chart printed on the back.
Here’s a quick reference:
12ss: appx. 9 stones per inch
16ss: appx. 7 stones per inch
20ss: appx. 5 2/3 stones per inch
30ss: appx. 4 ½ stones per inch
ORDER A FLAT BACK COLOR SAMPLE CARD.
Choosing the best rhinestone sizeis a matter of personal design preference. One rule of thumb to follow: the bigger the stone, the flashier the shine. You can also consider mixing sizes at random, allowing the light to bounce unpredictably among the design; if one wants to get crazy, that is. Of course, choosing a stone sizeis also dependent on the amount of work you want to do. The smaller stones can be trickier to work with at first but stick with it—they create a dazzling effect.
Thank you for following along on today’s lesson! We know that choosing the right size of rhinestone for your project is only one of the many decisions you need to make while planning your design.Check out our Rhinestones 101 Series, PLAN YOUR PROJECT for help:
1) Choosing abrand & quality of crystal.
2) Deciding what rhinestone size you want.
3) Learning what attachment method is best for your project.
4) Selecting your rhinestone colors.
5) Estimating how many you need to order.
6) Determining whichrhinestone glue will work best for you.
And don’t forget to download ourRHINESTONE SIZE CHART to help you along your rhinestone journey. See you again soon.
-xo-
Jemm
Rhinestones Unlimited blog author Jemm Stone is a crystal fanatic, bringing you the latest news and insights into our sparkly world. Keep an eye onOUR BLOG for her latest thoughts on everything about rhinestones, from trends to how-tos.
Greetings, enthusiasts of dazzling creations! I am deeply immersed in the captivating world of rhinestones, with a wealth of first-hand expertise and a profound understanding of the intricate details that make each sparkle unique. Allow me to guide you through the dimensions of rhinestone size, unraveling the mysteries and intricacies that lie within this glittering realm.
In the vast universe of rhinestones, size is a crucial factor that can significantly impact the outcome of your creative projects. The article delves into three units of measurement: Millimeters (mm), Stone Size (SS), and Pearl Plate (PP). Millimeters serve as the consistent unit, encompassing flat backs, pointed backs, and various shapes, beads, and pendants.
Stone Size and Pearl Plate come into play when dealing with round flat back and pointed back cuts, accommodating slight millimeter variances. Stone Size, the most common method for measuring flat back and pointed back chatons, is complemented by Pearl Plate sizing, particularly for the smallest rhinestones, allowing for precision down to a tenth of a millimeter.
A fascinating historical tidbit emerges as the article explains that Pearl Plate sizing originates from the traditional method of sizing pearls. Pearls would be placed on a plate with holes of different sizes, determining the measurement based on the hole through which the pearl fell.
When offering design guidance, the article recommends using 12ss, 16ss, 20ss, 30ss & 40ss, with 20ss and 30ss being the most popular sizes due to their ideal balance of differentiation. The popularity of these sizes also translates to the broadest range of available colors.
The importance of flexibility in color and size combinations is emphasized, along with a cautionary note about relying solely on computer screens for size accuracy due to varying monitor display settings. To aid in visualization, the article provides a helpful tip involving the Ctrl key and mouse wheel to adjust the size of a chart, ensuring accurate representation.
For those finding millimeters challenging to imagine, a simple conversion to centimeters is suggested. The article further provides a printable rhinestone size chart in PDF format, with guidelines on print settings. Quick references are given, detailing the number of stones per inch for different sizes.
The advice on choosing the best rhinestone size revolves around personal design preferences, with a general rule that larger stones yield a flashier shine. Mixing sizes at random is also encouraged to create unpredictable light reflections. The article acknowledges that smaller stones may be trickier to work with initially but assures that the dazzling effect they produce is worth the effort.
In closing, the article invites readers to explore additional aspects of the rhinestone journey through the Rhinestones 101 Series, covering brand and quality selection, attachment methods, color choices, quantity estimation, and rhinestone glue options. A final reminder to download the Rhinestone Size Chart concludes this insightful exploration of the enchanting world of rhinestones.
As an aficionado deeply embedded in the rhinestone universe, I trust this information equips you for a sparkling journey in your creative endeavors. Until our paths cross again in the radiant world of rhinestones—stay dazzling!
