Gold divides into two kinds of stone, and the difference matters more than the shade. A metallic gold has a reflective coating and reads as metal, which is what you want when the stones sit next to gold hardware, trim, or embroidery. A transparent gold is a warm-tinted crystal that reads as a color, which is what you want when the gold has to sparkle rather than shine.

Aurum is the metallic gold and the most-stocked shade in the family. It carries a mirrored gold surface and reads as solid metal from any angle, which makes it the standard for ballroom, bridal, and anywhere the design needs to match gold trim. Starlight Gold and Sunrise are metallic variations with a softer, more shifting surface.

Topaz is the main transparent gold, a clear warm amber that sparkles like a yellow stone with more depth. Golden Shadow is a muted antique gold with a gray cast, and Capri Gold and Golden Dream sit in the same warm range. Gold Beryl leans brown and reads closer to bronze.

Honey, Golden Honey, and Gold Quartz are the palest golds and double as warm neutrals, which is why they appear in both ranges. Golds are stocked in flatback across MAXIMA Crystals by Preciosa^®, LUX European Crystal^®, and PriceLess Crystal^™.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Aurum and Topaz rhinestones?

Aurum is a metallic gold with a mirrored surface that reads as solid metal. Topaz is a transparent warm amber that sparkles like a crystal. Aurum matches gold hardware and trim. Topaz adds golden sparkle without looking like metal. They are the two most-stocked golds we carry and they are not interchangeable.

Which gold rhinestone is antique gold?

Golden Shadow. It carries a gray cast that mutes the gold and reads as aged or antique rather than bright. Use it where a clean gold would look too new, such as vintage-inspired bridal or period costume work. Gold Beryl is the other option and leans further toward bronze.

Is there a rose gold rhinestone?

Sunrise is the closest match. It has a metallic surface with pink and copper in it that reads as rose gold rather than as yellow gold. For a softer version, some designers combine a warm gold with a blush stone from our pink range instead of using a single shade.

What gold rhinestone works best for a ballroom costume?

Aurum is the standard, because its metallic surface reads as gold from the back of a ballroom where a transparent stone would read as pale yellow. Many designs pair Aurum with crystal clear stones, using the gold for structure and the clear for flash.

What is the difference between gold and yellow rhinestones?

Gold stones carry a metallic or deeply warm quality that reads as metal or amber. Yellow stones are a true yellow with no metallic cast. Topaz sits closest to the line between them. If the stone needs to match gold thread or hardware, use gold. If it needs to read as a bright color, use yellow.

How do I choose between gold shades?
Order a rhinestone color chart and hold the stones against the actual trim or hardware you are matching. Metallic golds photograph particularly badly, because a camera captures one reflection angle while the whole character of the stone is how that reflection moves.