Rhinestone Glue Guide
How to Choose the Right Glue
Find an adhesive for your next rhinestone project.
choose your rhinestone application guide
What are you rhinestoning?
Unusual finish?
Check Special Surfaces & Finishes →One glue, several materials?
See the Multi-Purpose Glue Chart →rhinestone application guide
Fabric
Would hotfix rhinestones work for your project?
Consider hotfix first when the fabric tolerates the required heat and pressure. For heat-sensitive fabric or detailed hand-stoning, use non-hotfix stones with glue, a syringe, and a pickup tool. Read the Hotfix Application Guide →
Holographic fabric, sequins, glitter, screen printing, or vinyl transfers? Jump to Special Surfaces & Finishes →
| Glue | Shop | Details |
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Beacon Gem-Tac | Hand-stoned dancewear and general fabric. Rhinestone-specific, flexible; Beacon specifies hand washing. Test stone backing and fabric. |
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Aleene's Flexible Stretchable | Knits, spandex, high-stretch performance garments. Formulated for fabric that stretches; test the rhinestone-to-fabric bond under repeated stretch. |
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E6000 Fabri-Fuse | Stretch performance wear and washable fabric. Flexible fabric formula; dry flat at least 8 hours and wait 72 hours before washing. |
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Aleene's Jewel-It | Costume and apparel embellishments. Quick-setting fabric embellishing glue; manufacturer describes it as flexible and machine washable. |
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Aleene's Rhinestone AdhesiveProduct link to add | General hand-stoning and larger fabric designs. Multi-surface rhinestone formula in a 4 oz bottle; test wash method and stretch for the garment. |
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Beacon Magna-Tac 809Product link to add | Bridal, costume, and other textile work. Beacon lists natural/synthetic fibers; test tiny stones, visible glue, fabric strike-through, and care method. |
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Aleene's Liquid Fusion PerformanceProduct link to add | Strong rhinestone-to-fabric projects. Aleene's lists fabric and calls out rhinestone-to-fabric bond strength; test hand feel, stretch, and laundering separately. |
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Aleene's The Ultimate Multi-Surface AdhesiveProduct link to add | Fabric joined to other materials in a mixed-surface project. Manufacturer lists fabric along with metal, glass, plastic and wood; test drape, stretch and finish. |
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E6000 Original | Fabric projects needing a multi-material adhesive. This formula lists fabric and cures flexible; test drape, visibility and fabric finish. E6000 PLUS is not recommended for vinyl or acrylic. |
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E6000 PLUS | Fabric projects needing a multi-material adhesive. This formula lists fabric and cures flexible; test drape, visibility and fabric finish. E6000 PLUS is not recommended for vinyl or acrylic. |
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SUPERTite Fusion-TackComing soon | Textile applications, including detailed work if dispensing suits the design. SUPERTite lists fabric/textiles and a washable bond; confirm exact cure and wash directions on final package. |
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API Jewel Bond | Candidate for fabric embellishment. Confirm current maker label and care guidance before choosing this glue. |
rhinestone application guide
Leather & Suede
Genuine leather or suede shoes and handbags belong here. For faux leather or shiny pleather, see Special Surfaces & Finishes →
| Glue | Shop | Details |
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Aleene's Leather & Suede GlueProduct link to add | Genuine leather/suede embellishment and accessories. Formulated for leather/suede; manufacturer says it dries flexible and resists soak-through/staining. Test the rhinestone backing. |
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Beacon Gem-Tac | Leather shoes, bags, and accents. Beacon lists leather and rhinestones; hand-wash guidance is not a shoe-care promise. |
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Beacon Magna-Tac 809Product link to add | Leather or mixed textile accessories. Beacon lists leather and fibers; test finish and repeated flex. |
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E6000 Original | Leather accessories, especially mixed material or metal details. Manufacturer lists leather; apply carefully to avoid marring finished surfaces. |
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E6000 Jewelry & Bead | Leather accessories, especially mixed material or metal details. Manufacturer lists leather; apply carefully to avoid marring finished surfaces. |
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SUPERTite Fusion-TackComing soon | Leather accessories. Leather appears on the bottle per RU's product review; confirm written label directions before publication. |
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SUPERTite Ninja SuperFlexComing soon | Leather shoes/accessories exposed to bending or impacts. Manufacturer lists leather and impact absorption; test the actual finish and stone backing. |
rhinestone application guide
Metal & Jewelry
Metal tumblers: embellish the exterior only, away from rims and drinking surfaces. Test paint and powder coatings.
| Glue | Shop | Details |
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E6000 Jewelry & Bead | Stones on jewelry findings and metal. Four precision tips; waterproof, flexible; cure 24 hours, with maximum strength sometimes 48–72 hours. |
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Aleene's Jewelry & Metal GlueProduct link to add | Small metal jewelry details. No-run precision formula; manufacturer lists beads, metal, stones, and glass. |
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E6000 original | Metal décor and larger mixed-material accessories. Flexible bonds; 24-hour cure and potentially 72 hours for maximum strength. Check formula-specific use instructions. |
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E6000 PLUS | Metal décor and larger mixed-material accessories. Flexible bonds; 24-hour cure and potentially 72 hours for maximum strength. Check formula-specific use instructions. |
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Aleene's The Ultimate Multi-Surface AdhesiveProduct link to add | Jewelry or décor combining metal with other materials. Mixed-surface formula; manufacturer lists metal, glass, plastic, wood and fabric. Test coatings and bond area. |
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Aleene's DIY Craft Outdoor AdhesiveProduct link to add | Metal décor exposed to outdoor conditions. Outdoor formula; manufacturer lists metal. Test plating, finish and weather exposure. |
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SUPERTite Ninja SuperFlexComing soon | Metal accessories subject to impacts. Manufacturer lists metal, crystal, and impact absorption; confirm care and cure on package. |
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SUPERTite Fusion-TackComing soon | Mixed metal embellishment. Manufacturer lists metal; confirm cure and water exposure before a tumbler recommendation. |
rhinestone application guide
Glass & Ceramics
| Glue | Shop | Details |
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E6000 PLUS | Glass and glazed ceramic décor. Manufacturer lists glass and ceramic; for nonporous surfaces follow its apply/mate/separate/re-mate instructions. Cure 24 hours; full strength may take 72. |
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E6000 Original | Glass and ceramic accents. Flexible, waterproof bond; test smooth finishes and visibility. |
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Aleene's Rhinestone AdhesiveProduct link to add | General rhinestone work on decorative glass. Multi-surface formula; test glass finish and avoid food/drinking contact. |
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Aleene's Jewelry & Metal GlueProduct link to add | Small glass-to-metal jewelry details. Manufacturer lists glass, stones, and metal. |
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Aleene's The Ultimate Multi-Surface AdhesiveProduct link to add | Mixed glass, metal, wood or fabric décor. Manufacturer lists glass and other surfaces; test the finish. |
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Aleene's DIY Craft Outdoor AdhesiveProduct link to add | Decorative glass pieces exposed to outdoor conditions. Manufacturer lists glass; test the finish and exact exposure. |
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SUPERTite Fusion-TackComing soon | Glass embellishment. Manufacturer lists glass; confirm cure and exposure limits. |
rhinestone application guide
Plastic & Acrylic
Identify the exact plastic first. E6000 PLUS instructions exclude acrylic and vinyl. Plastic tumblers: keep stones and glue away from drinking surfaces. For vinyl coatings, see Special Surfaces →
| Glue | Shop | Details |
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Aleene's Rhinestone AdhesiveProduct link to add | General rhinestone work on plastic accessories. Manufacturer lists plastic; confirm the exact plastic and finish. |
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Beacon Gem-Tac | Compatible plastic accessories. Beacon lists plastic; test adhesion and finish. |
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Aleene's The Ultimate Multi-Surface AdhesiveProduct link to add | Hard plastic joined to metal, wood or other materials. Mixed-surface formula; verify polymer and surface coating. |
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Aleene's DIY Craft Outdoor AdhesiveProduct link to add | Hard plastic décor exposed to outdoor conditions. Manufacturer lists plastic; verify polymer, finish and exposure. |
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SUPERTite Ninja SuperFlexComing soon | Compatible plastic accessories subject to impacts. Manufacturer lists plastics generally; no blanket claim for every polymer. |
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SUPERTite Fusion-TackComing soon | Compatible plastic surfaces. Manufacturer lists plastic generally; test exact polymer. |
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E6000 Original | Selected plastics only. Manufacturer excludes polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene; test finishes and other polymers. |
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E6000 Jewelry & Bead | Jewelry plastic/resin components. Manufacturer lists resin jewelry and polymer clay but excludes polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene. |
rhinestone application guide
Wood
| Glue | Shop | Details |
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Aleene's Rhinestone AdhesiveProduct link to add | General rhinestone work on wood décor. Multi-surface rhinestone formula; test on sealed surfaces. |
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Beacon Gem-Tac | Rhinestones on wood décor. Beacon lists wood and rhinestones. |
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Aleene's Liquid Fusion PerformanceProduct link to add | Porous unfinished wood. Manufacturer lists wood among preferred porous materials; test against coated wood. |
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E6000 Original | Mixed wood and nonporous components. This formula lists wood; choose by finish, placement, and exposure. |
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E6000 PLUS | Mixed wood and nonporous components. This formula lists wood; choose by finish, placement, and exposure. |
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Aleene's The Ultimate Multi-Surface AdhesiveProduct link to add | Wood combined with metal, glass, fabric or plastic. Mixed-surface formula; manufacturer lists wood and these other materials. Test finish. |
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Aleene's DIY Craft Outdoor AdhesiveProduct link to add | Outdoor wood décor. Manufacturer lists wood; test finish and weather exposure. |
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SUPERTite Ninja SuperFlexComing soon | Mixed wood, crystal, and impact-prone accessories. Manufacturer lists wood and crystal; test the finish. |
rhinestone application guide
Stone & Tile
Stone, tile, and grout can be porous, sealed, glazed, or painted. Test the actual finish before stoning the final item.
| Glue | Shop | Details |
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Aleene's The Ultimate Multi-Surface AdhesiveProduct link to add | Tile, stone, and mixed-material décor. Test the finish; allow full cure before handling. |
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Aleene's DIY Craft Outdoor AdhesiveProduct link to add | Tile and stone décor exposed to outdoor conditions. Test surface finish and weather exposure. |
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E6000 PLUS | Stone, marble, concrete, and ceramic accents. Roughen a smooth surface only where appropriate; follow nonporous-surface directions. |
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E6000 Original | Cement and mixed hard-surface pieces. Test the stone finish and full cured bond. |
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Aleene's Liquid Fusion PerformanceProduct link to add | Porous stone and unglazed ceramic. Aleene’s lists these among its preferred porous surfaces; test sealed tile separately. |
rhinestone application guide
Multi-Purpose Glue Chart
See which materials each glue maker lists for a formula. Select the material chart above for project-specific notes.
✓ Maker lists this material — No general claim confirmed here. Neither symbol guarantees a bond to every finish.
| Glue | Fabric | Leather | Metal | Glass / ceramic | Plastic* | Wood | Stone / tile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beacon Gem-Tac — shop at Rhinestones Unlimited | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Beacon Magna-Tac 809Product link to add | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
| E6000 original | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| E6000 PLUS | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Aleene's The Ultimate Multi-Surface AdhesiveProduct link to add | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Aleene's DIY Craft Outdoor AdhesiveProduct link to add | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Aleene's Rhinestone AdhesiveProduct link to add | ✓ | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Aleene's Liquid Fusion PerformanceProduct link to add | ✓ | — | — | Ceramic | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| SUPERTite Fusion-TackComing soon | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| SUPERTite Ninja SuperFlexComing soon | — | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
* Plastics vary. E6000 original excludes polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene. E6000 PLUS instructions exclude acrylic, vinyl, foam, polyethylene, and polypropylene. “Ceramic” for Liquid Fusion refers to unglazed ceramic; it is not a general glass claim. Test coatings, foils, and the exact materials before completing the project. SUPERTite products are planned additions.
rhinestone application guide
Special Surfaces & Finishes
Screen printing & vinyl transfers
The glue touches ink or vinyl, not the fabric underneath. Test the print or transfer itself and the bond holding it to fabric. E6000 PLUS excludes vinyl.
Holographic, sequin & glitter finishes
Test the top coating and its attachment to fabric. Loose glitter or a fragile coating can release even when the glue stays attached.
Faux leather & shiny pleather
Identify the vinyl or polyurethane finish. Test for solvent damage, peeling, and bending before selecting a glue.
Silicone
No Rhinestones Unlimited glue recommendation yet.