Crystal AB is a clear rhinestone finished with an aurora borealis coating, an iridescent surface treatment that throws pink, blue, green, and gold as the stone moves. The base stone is colorless, so the coating does all the work. That is what separates crystal AB from every colored stone we carry.

The AB coating picks up color from whatever surrounds it, including the fabric underneath and the neighboring stones in your design. A crystal AB stone set on red will read warm. The same stone set on blue will read cool. Designers use this on purpose, placing crystal AB next to solid colors to pull those colors into the sparkle.

Crystal AB is the most-used AB finish in competitive dance, skating, and ballroom because it moves. Under a stage wash, a clear stone flashes white and a crystal AB stone shifts through several colors as the performer turns. That motion is why it photographs and films differently than it looks on a table.

Crystal AB is stocked in flatback, hotfix, and sew-on styles across our crystal brands. Coating quality varies by brand, which changes how strong the color shift reads and how evenly it covers the stone.

Frequently asked questions

What does AB mean on a rhinestone?

AB stands for aurora borealis, an iridescent coating applied to the surface of the stone. It is named for the northern lights because it shifts through several colors as the angle changes. AB is a finish, not a color, which is why it can be applied to clear stones and to colored stones alike.

What is the difference between crystal AB and crystal clear?

Crystal clear is a colorless stone with no surface treatment, so it flashes pure white light. Crystal AB is the same colorless stone with an iridescent coating that shifts through pink, blue, green, and gold. Choose clear for clean sparkle and crystal AB for movement and color.

What is the difference between crystal AB and colored AB rhinestones?

Crystal AB starts with a colorless stone, so the coating is the only source of color. Colored AB stones start with a colored crystal, and the coating sits on top of that color. A Light Siam AB stone still reads red, with an iridescent shimmer over it.

Does the AB coating wear off?

The coating is bonded to the stone during manufacturing and is not a surface film that peels. Handle AB stones the same way you handle any rhinestone: avoid solvents, avoid scrubbing the face of the stone, and store finished pieces away from abrasion.

How do I compare crystal AB across brands?

Order a rhinestone color chart and tilt the stones under the lighting your finished piece will be seen in. AB is the hardest finish to judge from a screen, since a photograph captures one angle and the whole point of the coating is what happens between angles.