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hese 4.6mm – 4.8mm hotfix crystals from Preciosa® have no metallic foil backing, so light passes straight through the stone. That makes them the right choice for sheer fabric, mesh, and any design where a traditional foiled backing would show through. MAXIMA is Preciosa's premium rhinestone line, precision-cut in Europe for maximum brilliance and consistency.
Best for: sheer and mesh costumes, organza, tulle overlays, skating dresses, dance bodices with see-through panels, and any project where a foil-free, translucent look is needed.
Why You'll Love Them
- Crystal Unfoiled finish: No metallic backing, so the stone stays transparent from behind
- 20ss (4.6mm – 4.8mm): the most popular size for dance and costume use
- Hotfix backing: Heat-activated adhesive for fast, clean application to fabric
- MAXIMA quality: Preciosa's premium European crystal line, precision-cut for maximum light return
- Consistent stones: Uniform sizing and shape in every pack, so no culling required
Size Reference
20ss rhinestones measure approximately 4.6mm – 4.8mm, making them the most popular size for dance costumes, skating dresses, cheer uniforms, and performance wear. Large enough to read clearly under stage lights, small enough to use across broad coverage areas. To compare sizes, see our rhinestone size chart with ss, mm, and inches.
Packaging Options
- Best Value: 10 gross (1,440 pieces)
- Also Available: 1 gross (144 pieces)
Crystal Size Reference Guide
| Stone Size (ss) | Size (mm) | Common Name | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5ss | 1.7mm – 1.9mm | Extra Small | Fine detail, nail art |
| 7ss | 2.1mm – 2.3mm | Extra Small | Fine detail, nail art |
| 9ss | 2.5mm – 2.7mm | Small | Outlines, accents |
| 12ss | 3.0mm – 3.2mm | Small | Outlines, accents |
| 16ss | 3.8mm – 4.0mm | Mid-Sized | General coverage |
| 20ss | 4.6mm – 4.8mm | Most Popular | Dance and costume use |
| 30ss | 6.3mm – 6.5mm | Large | Bold accents |
| 34ss | 7.0mm – 7.3mm | Extra Large | Statement pieces |
| 40ss | 8.4mm – 8.7mm | Oversized | Maximum sparkle and drama |
| 48ss | 10.9mm – 11.3mm | Oversized | Maximum sparkle and drama |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Crystal Unfoiled mean?
Crystal Unfoiled rhinestones have no metallic foil on the back of the stone. Standard rhinestones use a foil backing to reflect light forward. Unfoiled stones stay transparent, so light passes through rather than bouncing back. This makes them the right choice for sheer fabric, mesh, and see-through panels where a foil backing would be visible.
Why choose 20ss unfoiled for dance costumes?
20ss is the most popular rhinestone size for dance and performance wear because it reads clearly under stage lights without overwhelming the design. The unfoiled version is the right pick when the costume includes sheer or mesh panels where a foil backing would show through the fabric.
Do unfoiled rhinestones work on opaque fabric?
They can, but foiled rhinestones are generally the better choice for opaque fabric. The foil backing reflects light forward and produces more sparkle on solid materials. Unfoiled stones are best reserved for sheer or see-through applications where their transparency is an advantage rather than a tradeoff.
Browse our full Crystal color collection or shop all MAXIMA Crystals by Preciosa hotfix rhinestones.
