The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Rhinestone

Everything You Need to Know About Bling, Bedazzling & Creating with Rhinestones

By West Coast Bling

Welcome to the Sparkly Side ✨

If you've ever seen a sparkling tumbler, custom sneakers, a rhinestone cowgirl hat, concert outfit, phone case, dance costume, or even a Stanley cup covered in crystals and thought...

"How do people DO that?"

You're in the right place.

Whether you've heard the words bling, bedazzled, iced out, flatback, SS20, or AB stones and had absolutely no idea what they meant, this guide will walk you through everything.

At West Coast Bling, our mission is simple:

Make rhinestoning approachable, affordable, and ridiculously fun.

Whether you're decorating your first cup or starting a rhinestone business, we'll help you learn the skills, find the right supplies, and create projects you'll actually be proud of.

Let's dive in.

Chapter 1

What Are Rhinestones?

A rhinestone is a decorative stone designed to imitate the sparkle of a diamond.

Unlike real gemstones, rhinestones are manufactured from materials like:

• Glass• Crystal• Resin• Acrylic

They come in thousands of colors, dozens of sizes, and several different finishes.

Today you'll find rhinestones on nearly everything:

• Tumblers

• Shoes

• Clothing

• Dance costumes

• Cheer uniforms

• Nails

• Hats

• Phone cases

• Home décor

• Signs

• Jewelry

• Wedding accessories

• Holiday decorations

• Crafts

Chapter 2

Bling Dictionary

You'll hear these words constantly in the rhinestone world.

Bling

Anything covered in sparkle.

Bedazzle

To decorate something with rhinestones.

Originally made famous by the Bedazzler machine in the 1970s, today it simply means adding sparkle.

Sparkle

How much light a rhinestone reflects.

Shine

The brightness of the stone.

Fire

The rainbow flashes that bounce from a high-quality stone.

Iced Out

Completely covered in rhinestones.

Popular in jewelry and fashion.

Drip

Stylish, flashy, luxury-looking.

Blinged Out

Covered with rhinestones.

Crystal Clear

A colorless stone that resembles a diamond.

AB

Aurora Borealis coating.

Creates rainbow reflections.

Flatback

A stone with a flat bottom that glues onto projects.

Hotfix

Flatback stones with heat-activated glue already applied.

Pointed Back

Usually used for jewelry settings.

Chaton

A pointed-back crystal designed for jewelry.

Rivoli

A faceted pointed-back stone.

Cabochon

Smooth rounded decorative piece without facets.

Rhinestone Mix

A bag containing multiple sizes and sometimes multiple colors.

Scatter Mix

Random assortment for organic-looking projects.

Ombre

A gradual color transition.

Gradient

Another word for ombre.

Full Coverage

Every visible surface is covered.

Negative Space

Leaving portions uncovered for design.

Bling Placement

The pattern used when laying stones.

Chapter 3

Glass vs Resin vs Acrylic

Glass Rhinestones

Pros

✔ Highest sparkle

✔ Excellent clarity

✔ Professional appearance

✔ Scratch resistant

✔ Long lasting

Best for:

• Tumblers

• Shoes

• Apparel

• Luxury projects

• Business products

This is what West Coast Bling specializes in.

Resin Rhinestones

Pros

✔ Lightweight

✔ Budget friendly

✔ Great for beginners

✔ Easy to practice with

Perfect for:

• Kids crafts

• First projects

• Learning placement

• Seasonal decorations

Acrylic Rhinestones

Pros

✔ Very inexpensive

✔ Extremely lightweight

Best for:

• Party décor

• Temporary crafts

• Classroom projects

Chapter 4

Understanding Stone Sizes

Instead of millimeters, rhinestones are usually measured using "SS."

SS stands for Stone Size.

Examples:

SS6

SS10

SS12

SS16

SS20

SS30

SS40

Larger SS number = larger stone.

Many crafters also refer to stones in millimeters.

Popular beginner sizes include:

3mm

4mm

5mm

6mm

Chapter 5

Shapes You'll Find

Round

Teardrop

Navette (Marquise)

Heart

Star

Oval

Square

Rectangle

Pear

Triangle

Hexagon

Baguette

Horse Eye

Raindrop

Diamond

Mixed Shapes

Half Pearls

Flatback Pearls

Cabochons

Chapter 6

Popular Finishes

Crystal

Crystal AB

Iridescent

Matte

Metallic

Neon

Jelly

Pearl

Opal

Galaxy

Shimmer

Rainbow

Oil Slick

Mirror

Champagne

Aurora

Holographic

Chapter 7

The Supplies You'll Need

For your first project you'll need:

✔ Flatback rhinestones

✔ Glue

✔ Wax picker

✔ Precision tweezers

✔ Sorting tray

✔ Storage container

✔ Silicone mat

✔ Applicator bottles

✔ Cleaning cloth

✔ Toothpicks

✔ Ruler

✔ Pencil

Chapter 8

Choosing the Right Glue

Different projects require different adhesives.

Glass

Metal

Plastic

Fabric

Wood

Leather

Canvas

Ceramic

There is no one-size-fits-all glue.

At West Coast Bling, we teach exactly which glue works best for every project, helping you avoid wasted supplies and frustrating mistakes.

Chapter 9

Where Should You Buy Rhinestones?

Not all rhinestones are created equal.

Some sellers focus on the cheapest possible stones.

Others specialize in premium sparkle.

When shopping, consider:

• Consistency

• Cut quality

• Color accuracy

• Inventory

• Customer support

• Educational resources

• Packaging

• Tutorials

• Beginner friendliness

At West Coast Bling, we believe learning should be just as valuable as the products themselves.

That's why we're building more than a store—we're building a creative community where you can learn, experiment, and grow your skills with confidence.

Whether you're looking for premium glass rhinestones, beginner-friendly practice packs, curated color mixes, or step-by-step tutorials, our goal is to make every project easier and more enjoyable.

Chapter 10

Beginner Kits

Starting doesn't have to be expensive.

Our Beginner Kits are designed so you can start creating without feeling overwhelmed.

Each kit is planned to include:

• Premium glass rhinestones

• Budget-friendly practice stones

• Wax picker

• Sorting tray

• Beginner glue recommendations

• Project guide

• QR codes to video tutorials

You'll learn while creating, using the same methods taught throughout the West Coast Bling community.

Chapter 11

Common Beginner Mistakes

Using too much glue.

Choosing the wrong glue.

Buying only one stone size.

Skipping practice.

Rushing placement.

Not cleaning the surface first.

Mixing incompatible adhesives.

Buying low-quality stones expecting premium sparkle.

Chapter 12

Ready to Start Blinging?

Every experienced rhinestone artist started exactly where you are now—with one bag of stones and a project they couldn't wait to try.

At West Coast Bling, we're here to make that first step fun, affordable, and inspiring.

Explore our premium glass rhinestones, beginner-friendly practice packs, curated mixes, project tutorials, and growing library of classes designed to help you create with confidence.

Whether you're decorating your first tumbler or launching your own bling business, we're excited to be part of your creative journey.

Welcome to the sparkle community—we can't wait to see what you make.