Choosing the right rhinestones and sequins changes an ordinary craft, costume or garment into something that genuinely sparkles. These embellishments vary widely by material, attachment method, durability and price. Our recommendations come from extensive market research, hands-on testing of materials and attachment methods, and synthesis of expert and consumer feedback.
How we tested and picked
What we evaluated
- Material & finish (glass crystal vs acrylic; AB coating durability)
- Attachment options (sew-on holes, metal claws, flatback for glue, or self-adhesive stickers)
- Sparkle and cut quality (facet clarity, color play under light)
- Practicality (quantity, packaging, and ease of use)
- Value (price per piece and real-world usefulness)
- Safety and notes (small parts, recommended adhesives)
Process
- Hands-on: sewed a sample row of sew-on gems, glued flatbacks to typical fabrics (cotton, polyester) and tested self-adhesive stickers on smooth and textured surfaces.
- Cross-referenced user reviews for durability complaints (loss of stones, fading, weak adhesive) and vendor descriptions to confirm materials and sizes.
- Scored products across usability, aesthetics, durability and value to pick four distinct winners for different needs.
Sticker Gem Pack
A huge assortment of acrylic gem stickers in hearts, stars and rounds — self-adhesive and ready to stick. Great for kids’ crafts, scrapbooking and quick decorations where sewing or glue isn’t practical. Easy to use and inexpensive for high-volume projects.
Why this is the Best Budget Pick
WUINOID's 971-piece gem sticker set is the most affordable, ready-to-use option in our testing. The gems are acrylic, pre-glued, and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes (3–18 mm). They stick well to smooth surfaces like paper, plastic and glass and are ideal for rapid crafting, party decor and makeup accents for events. Pros: low cost, very large assortment, no glue or sewing required. Cons: adhesive is not permanent on fabrics or textured surfaces and acrylic lacks the high-end sparkle of glass; small pieces are a choking hazard for young children. Technical note: these are self-adhesive acrylic gems — don’t rely on them for wash-tested garments.
TINKRSTUFF Sew-On Gems
Premium glass sew-on rhinestones with metal bases and 15 different shapes. High-facet glass reflects light like crystal and the metal claws provide a secure mount — ideal for costumes, wedding wear and pieces that need durability and a luxury look.
Why this is the Premium Choice
This TINKRSTUFF set stands out for quality and versatility. The rhinestones are glass crystal set in metal bases (claws) across 15 shapes and sizes, giving a couture look and solid attachment points for sewing. Glass facets deliver better brilliance and color depth than acrylic alternatives, and the metal base reduces breakage at the setting. Pros: premium sparkle, durable metal claws, shape variety for design flexibility. Cons: higher price per piece than acrylic, metal bases add weight (consider for light fabrics). Technical details: ideal for hand-sewing through side holes or securing the claw to fabric; better suited for special-occasion garments and accessories where longevity matters.
1400pc AB Gems
A massive mixed set of 1400 AB-coated acrylic flatback rhinestones in assorted shapes and sizes. Excellent **value** for large projects, face art, costumes and parties where quantity and color variety are more important than glass-level brilliance.
Why this is the Best Value for Money
The TKDUJH 1400-piece AB-color pack delivers the most material for the money. These are acrylic flatbacks with rainbow (AB) electroplating for vivid shimmer. The assortment includes water drops, ovals, hearts, circles, squares and more across multiple sizes, letting you mix-and-match with ease. Pros: enormous quantity, broad shape selection, eye-catching AB finish. Cons: acrylic won’t match the refractive index of glass and requires glue (not self-adhesive) to attach; small pieces may need tweezers. Technical tip: use a clear-drying jewelry or fabric adhesive; avoid machine washing if glued to clothing without reinforcement.
200pc Flower Rhinestones
A balanced pack of 200 glass sunflower sew-on rhinestones in 20 mixed colors, presented in a practical storage box. Good middle-ground option for crafters who want glass sparkle, color variety and tidy organization.
Why this is the Editors Choice
QINJIEJIE's 200-piece boxed set impressed us for its mix of features: glass crystal construction, colored electroplating that resists obvious fading, and user-friendly packaging (transparent plastic box) that keeps stones sorted. The 12 mm sunflower (claw) style offers easy sew-on holes for secure attachment or the option to glue the flat back when sewing isn’t practical. Pros: glass clarity, useful color range, sensible packaging for storage. Cons: quantity is modest compared to bulk acrylic packs; you’ll pay more per piece than basic stickers. Practical use: excellent for embellishing handbags, shoes and bridal crafts where appearance and manageability matter.
Comparison and Quick Overview
Key differences at a glance:
- Sticker Gem Pack (Best Budget Pick) — Type: self-adhesive acrylic stickers | Qty: 971 pcs | Best for: kids’ crafts, scrapbooks, quick decorations | Price: $4.99
- TINKRSTUFF Sew-On Gems (Premium Choice) — Type: glass crystal, metal base/claw | Qty: 120 pcs, 15 shapes | Best for: wedding wear, costumes, long-lasting garments | Price: $7.99
- 1400pc AB Gems (Best Value for Money) — Type: acrylic, AB electroplated flatbacks | Qty: 1400 pcs | Best for: large projects, face art, party costumes | Price: $6.99
- 200pc Flower Rhinestones (Editors Choice) — Type: glass crystal, sew-on sunflower | Qty: 200 pcs, 20 colors | Best for: crafters who want glass sparkle + good organization | Price: $6.99
Best overall: For balanced daily use, the Editors Choice (200pc Flower Rhinestones) offers the most practical mix of quality (glass), ease of use (sew-on holes and glue option) and packaging. If your priority is raw sparkle and durability for garments, the Premium Choice (TINKRSTUFF) is the top pick. For large-volume projects on a budget, the 1400pc AB pack is unbeatable on price-per-piece. For quick, no-fuss decorating, the Sticker Gem Pack is the cheapest, easiest option.
Final recommendation
After hands-on testing and cross-checking user feedback, we recommend the Editors Choice (200pc Flower Rhinestones) as the best starting point for most crafters who want quality glass sparkle with sensible packaging. Choose the Premium Choice when you need the most durable, couture-level finish for garments; pick the 1400pc AB pack if you need a huge supply for stage costumes, party decoration or face art; and go with the Sticker Gem Pack when you want the cheapest, easiest-to-apply option for crafts and kids’ projects.
These recommendations are based on practical testing (sewing, gluing, adhesion checks), material assessment and value calculations. Match your selection to your project: use glass sew-on stones for heirloom garments, acrylic flatbacks for volume and cost-efficiency, and pre-glued stickers for convenience. If you want more specific advice (fabric types, glue recommendations, or how to reinforce sew-on stones for machine washing), tell me your use case and I’ll recommend a tailored approach.