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CRYSTAL COLLECTION
Rhinestones for Dance Costumes
Competition-grade crystals for dance costumes: which line to choose, what size to use, and how to outfit a whole team.
The best rhinestones for dance costumes are glass crystal flat back stones that catch the light from every angle, set with a gem-quality glue or applied as hotfix. Crystal rhinestones out-sparkle acrylic under stage lighting and hold up through rehearsals, performances, and washing. At Rhinestones Unlimited, you can crystallize a single solo costume or outfit a full team, with custom small packs that make distribution to your dancers easy.
Here is which crystal line fits your costume, what size to reach for, how many stones a costume takes, and the studio services that protect your time. New to it? Follow our guide to how to rhinestone a dance costume.
QUICK REFERENCE
| The short answer | Glass crystal flat back rhinestones, sized for detail through bold focal points |
| Crystal lines | MAXIMA, Swarovski (special order), VIVA12, LUX European, Starcut |
| Common sizes | 10ss and 12ss for detail, 16ss to 30ss for coverage and focal points |
| For teams | Custom small packs and bulk wholesale value |
| Best for | Competition, recital, and performance costumes |
What rhinestones work best for dance costumes?
Glass crystal rhinestones are the standard for competitive and performance dance. They reflect more light and last longer than acrylic stones, so they read brighter under stage lighting and survive a full season of rehearsals and shows. Clear Crystal and Crystal AB bounce back the most light and pair with any costume. Saturated colors add drama against neutral fabric, while pastels give a soft shimmer that moves with the choreography.
These are the crystal lines we carry for dance:
- MAXIMA Crystals by Preciosa®: our premium line for maximum spotlight brilliance.
- Swarovski®: the original Austrian crystal, now available by special order in limited quantities.
- Preciosa VIVA12®: a 12-facet European crystal that delivers value-tier sparkle, ideal for outfitting a full team.
- LUX European Crystal®: bright European sparkle at a friendly value.
- Starcut Crystal™: a reliable premium alternative to the discontinued Swarovski 2088.
Which crystal line is right for your dance costume?
Every line below is performance-suitable. The right pick comes down to your budget, your coverage, and how much you want the costume to carry the light.
| CRYSTAL LINE | TIER | SPARKLE | BEST FOR |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAXIMA Crystals by Preciosa® | Premium | Maximum | Top-level competition and recital spotlight |
| Swarovski® | Premium | Very high | Brand-specified work and exact Swarovski repairs (special order) |
| Preciosa VIVA12® | Value | High | High-volume team costumes, 12-facet cut |
| LUX European Crystal® | Mid-tier | High | Strong sparkle at a friendlier value |
| Starcut Crystal™ | Premium | Very high | A dependable premium alternative to Swarovski 2088 |
Swarovski® crystals are available by special order in limited quantities. Ask us if you need them for a specific project.
What size rhinestones should you use on a dance costume?
Dance costumes use a wide range of flat back sizes depending on the effect. As a guide, 16ss is about 4 mm, 20ss is about 4.7 mm, and 30ss is about 6.4 mm. Use smaller stones like 10ss and 12ss for fine detail, outlines, and facework. Use 16ss and 20ss for all-over coverage, and 30ss for bold focal points that read from the back of the theater. Mixing sizes gives a costume depth and keeps a heavy design from looking flat.
Hotfix or flat back for dance costumes?
Both work. Flat back crystals set with a gem-quality glue like E6000 are the safer choice for delicate, stretchy, or heat-sensitive performance fabrics. Hotfix crystals, which are heat-set, speed up large fills and matching team costumes, but the heat can be too much for some thin dancewear. Always test on a fabric swatch first. You can find the right adhesive in our glues and adhesives collection.
How many rhinestones does a dance costume need?
Coverage drives the count, and stone size sets the density. One square inch of solid coverage takes about 68 stones at 12ss, 43 at 16ss, 30 at 20ss, or 16 at 30ss. Measure the area you plan to cover, multiply by the density for your size, and add a little extra so you never stop short. For a team, this adds up fast across matching costumes. You can request custom small packs so each dancer's stones are portioned and ready, with no counting on your end, and you still get bulk wholesale value.
Will the crystals survive rehearsals, performances, and washing?
Performance crystals need to last. Glass crystal rhinestones hold their facets and coating far better than acrylic through a season of practice, sweat, and cleaning. For the most secure hold on a costume that takes heavy wear, sew-on stones or a strong flat back adhesive outlast a light glue bond. New to the process? Start with what a rhinestone actually is, then follow our step-by-step guide to rhinestoning a dance costume.
Made for dance studios and costume designers
Whether you run a studio, teach, or design costumes, we build in support to protect your time and your margins:
- Custom small packs: portion stones for each dancer without hand-counting, and still get bulk wholesale value.
- Price match promise: stay competitive and give your dancers the best value.
- Specialized services: support for your design work from concept to finished costume.
- Professional glues and adhesives: built for high-volume application.
Crystal jewelry to finish the look
Finish the look with performance jewelry made to shine on stage:
- Star Light Crystal Jewelry™: made for movement and the spotlight.
- Little Star Crystal Jewelry: CPSIA-compliant pieces for dancers age 12 and under.
- Crystal Avenue: fashion jewelry and hair accessories to complete the look.
NEED HELP CHOOSING?
Talk to a crystal expert
Whether you are a studio owner, a teacher, or a costume designer, we can help you pick the right line, size, and color for your costumes. Get in touch and if we do not stock exactly what you need, we will look for it.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What size rhinestones are best for a dance costume?
Use 10ss and 12ss for detail and outlines, 16ss and 20ss for all-over coverage, and 30ss for bold focal points that carry across the theater. Mixing sizes gives a costume depth.
Should I use hotfix or flat back rhinestones on a dance costume?
Flat back stones set with a gem glue like E6000 are safest on delicate and stretchy dancewear. Hotfix is faster for large fills and matching team costumes, but test the heat on a swatch first.
Can I get rhinestones in small packs for my team?
Yes. We offer custom small packs so you can portion stones for each dancer without hand-counting, while still getting bulk wholesale value. It makes distributing to a whole team much easier.
How many rhinestones does a dance costume need?
It depends on coverage and stone size. One square inch of solid coverage takes roughly 68 stones at 12ss, 43 at 16ss, 30 at 20ss, or 16 at 30ss. Measure your area, multiply by the density for your size, and add a little extra.
Do you carry Swarovski crystals for dance?
Yes. Swarovski® crystals are available by special order in limited quantities. Contact us to ask about a specific size and color.
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