null
✨ Let’s CREATE: Your Go-To Guide for Designing with Sparkle

✨ Let’s CREATE: Your Go-To Guide for Designing with Sparkle

Posted by Rhinestones Unlimited on Jan 4th 2026

✨ Shop Sample Cards, Stone Sizer Tool & Estimating Guide

Designing with rhinestones should feel exciting — not overwhelming.

Whether you’re creating dance costumes, cheer uniforms, tumblers, nail art, western wear, or custom fashion pieces, having the right tools, information, and crystal choices makes all the difference. That’s exactly why we created Let’s CREATE with Rhinestones Unlimited — a video series designed to help artists design with confidence from idea to final sparkle.

This page is your resource hub — a place to find all of our Let’s CREATE videos in one spot, learn how to use Rhinestones Unlimited products, and get answers to the most common design questions we hear every day.

Bookmark this page, come back often, and let’s create something beautiful together ✨

Why We Created the Let’s CREATE Video Series

For nearly 25 years, Rhinestones Unlimited has supported artists, small businesses, and creative entrepreneurs with high-quality crystals and hands-on guidance. We know that sparkle decisions aren’t one-size-fits-all — and sometimes, you just need someone to walk you through the process.

The Let’s CREATE series is designed to:

  • Break down crystal decisions step-by-step
  • Show real tools used by real designers
  • Eliminate guesswork around color, size, quantity, and brand
  • Help you plan smarter, shop confidently, and design beautifully

Each video focuses on one key part of the design process, so you can learn exactly what you need — when you need it.

Start with Color: Matching Rhinestones to Your Design

Let's CREATE | Color Sample Cards + Shop by Rhinestone Color

Color selection is often the starting point of any rhinestone project — and getting it right saves time, money, and frustration later.

That’s where our Color Sample Cards come in.

Available for each of our four rhinestone brands, these cards feature real stones mounted on a clear acetate sheet, allowing you to place your fabric or material underneath and see exactly how the crystal color interacts with your design.

Why designers love Color Sample Cards:

  • Match crystals directly to fabric, vinyl, leather, or mesh
  • Compare shades side-by-side
  • Plan multi-color designs with confidence
  • Reduce ordering errors

Once you’ve selected your perfect shade, our Shop by Color tools make it easy to find exactly what you need across product categories:

✨ Rhinestones Shop by Color
✨ Rhinestone Trims Shop by Color
✨ Rhinestone Jewelry & Accessories Shop by Color

✨ Explore Color Sample Cards here: https://rhinestonesu.com/rhinestone-color-chart/

Need help choosing? Our creative team loves supporting artists. Call us at 952.848.0133 for one-on-one phone design advice.

Choosing the Right Rhinestone Size for Your Project

Let’s CREATE | How to Choose the Right Rhinestone SIZE

One of the most common questions we hear is:
“What size rhinestone should I use?”

In this video, Jill walks you through how rhinestone sizes work — and how to choose the best size for your specific project using our Stone Sizer Tool and Rhinestone Estimating Guide.

General size guidelines:

✨ 5ss–9ss: Delicate details, nail art, fine accents
✨ 12ss–16ss: Scatter fills on lightweight fabrics like chiffon
✨ 20ss: Our most popular, all-purpose size (featured on sample cards)
✨ 30ss+: Bold designs and fast sparkle coverage
✨ 34ss–48ss: Statement pieces for stage, western wear, and costumes

✨ Shop the tools featured in this video:

✨ Stone Sizing Tool & Rhinestone Estimating Guide
✨ Priceless Crystals Collection

How Many Rhinestones Do You Actually Need?

Let’s CREATE | How to Choose the Right Rhinestone QUANTITY

“How many rhinestones do I need?”
You’re not alone — and guessing can get expensive.

In this video, Julia explains exactly how to calculate rhinestone quantity based on:

  • Your design type
  • Stone size
  • Coverage style

Key planning tips:

✨ Start with package sizes — choose bulk options based on project scale
✨ Consider your design — scatter fills vs. linear or single-size designs
✨ Use the Estimating Guide — calculate stones per square inch or per inch

With the Stone Sizing & Estimating Guide, planning becomes simple — no more overbuying or running short mid-project.

✨ Helpful links:

✨ Stone Sizing Tool & Rhinestone Estimating Guide
✨ Priceless Crystals Collection

Choosing the Right Rhinestone Brand for Your Project

Let’s CREATE | How to Choose the Right BRAND

Not all rhinestones are created equal — and that’s a good thing.
At Rhinestones Unlimited, we offer four crystal brands, each designed to meet different needs, budgets, and sparkle levels.

Our crystal lineup:

✨ MAXIMA Crystals by Preciosa®
Our highest-quality European crystal with unmatched brilliance and eco-conscious production.
✨ LUX European Crystals
The most economical European crystal — premium sparkle at an accessible price.
✨ Starcut Crystals
High-quality Chinese crystals with 2088 faceting and a wide color range, including stunning sew-on jewels.
✨ Priceless Crystals
Our most budget-friendly option — reliable sparkle and unique shades you won’t find elsewhere.

Pro tip: Many designers mix brands to balance sparkle, color availability, and budget — and it works beautifully.

✨ Helpful links:

✨ Shop All Rhinestones
✨ Cool Tools Collection
✨ Request Color Sample Cards

Want to compare Sparkle side by side? Sign up for our newsletter and receive a FREE quality sample card.

Frequently Asked Questions About Creating with Rhinestones

What is the best way to start designing with rhinestones?

The best way to start is by planning your design before you buy. Use Color Sample Cards to match rhinestones to your fabric, then decide on the right stone size, quantity, and brand for your project. The Let’s CREATE video series walks you through each step so you can design with confidence instead of guessing.

How do I choose the right rhinestone color for my project?

Rhinestone color appears differently depending on the fabric, lighting, and material. That’s why Rhinestones Unlimited offers Color Sample Cards with real stones mounted on clear acetate. You can place your fabric underneath the card to see exactly how each color will look before ordering. Once you choose a shade, our Shop by Color feature makes purchasing easy.

What rhinestone size should I use for dance costumes or DIY projects?

It depends on your design and material:

    • Small sizes (5ss–9ss) work best for fine details and nail art
    • Medium sizes (12ss–16ss) are great for scatter fills on lightweight fabrics
    • 20ss is the most popular all-around size
    • Large stones (30ss+) add bold sparkle fast

Our Stone Sizer Tool helps you visualize each size before you commit.

How many rhinestones do I need for my project?

To determine quantity, consider:

    • Your design type (scatter fill vs. linear placement)
    • The size of the rhinestones
    • The area you’re covering

The Rhinestone Estimating Guide shows how many stones you’ll need per inch or per square inch, eliminating guesswork and overbuying.

What’s the difference between rhinestone brands at Rhinestones Unlimited?

Rhinestones Unlimited offers four crystal brands to fit different sparkle levels and budgets:

    • MAXIMA Crystals by Preciosa® – premium European brilliance
    • LUX European Crystals – affordable European sparkle
    • Starcut Crystals – high-quality Chinese crystals with 2088 faceting
    • Priceless Crystals – budget-friendly sparkle with unique colors

Many designers mix brands within one project to balance cost, color, and shine.

Can I mix different rhinestone brands in one design?

Yes! Mixing rhinestone brands is very common. Designers often combine brands to maximize sparkle, access specific colors, or stay within budget — especially for large projects like costumes or stage designs.

What tools do I need to design with rhinestones?

At a minimum, we recommend:

    • Color Sample Cards
    • Stone Sizer Tool
    • Rhinestone Estimating Guide
    • Quality glue and basic application tools

These tools make planning easier and help ensure professional-looking results.

Is Rhinestones Unlimited beginner-friendly?

Absolutely. Whether you’re brand new to rhinestones or an experienced designer, our Let’s CREATE videos, tools, and customer support team are here to help. If you ever need personalized guidance, you can call our team for one-on-one phone design advice.

Keep Creating with Confidence ✨

This Let’s CREATE resource hub will continue to grow as we release new videos, tools, and design education — all designed to support artists at every stage of the creative process.

✨ Save this page
✨ Subscribe on YouTube
✨ Explore tools that make designing easier

Have a question or need personalized guidance?
We’re here — because we get it, and we love supporting artists.

Let’s create something sparkly ✨