Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably noticed that rhinestones are everywhere! From sweaters to jackets to household objects, there are no limits to which surfaces could benefit from a little bit of bedazzled glam.

If you're still reading, you're probably wondering which glue to buy? The last thing you'll want is for the rhinestones to pluck off easily, so knowing which adhesives work best is important. There are different types of glue for different surfaces, so it helps to know which works best.

So you want to get started with bedazzling, but you’re now sure which rhinestone glue is best? Do not worry…I’ll “stick” it to you! When it comes to adding rhinestones, there are several important factors to keep in mind when choosing the right adhesive or glue. Some questions to ask before getting started are:

WORK SURFACE: Is the surface porous or non-porous – this definitely makes a difference when it comes to rhinestone glue. Is it a dry surface? For example, fabric and metal require different types of glue.

PREP: Has the surface been properly prepped? Sometimes this requires using rubbing alcohol on the surface and other times, sanding might be required. Or…no prep needed – this depends entirely on what the surface is made from. You'll want to prepare most surfaces with some rubbing alcohol.

DRY TIME: How long does it take for the glue to fully cure? Have you followed the manufacturer's instructions for the amount of time and is the glue drying at room temperature? Some rhinestone glues require you to work quickly while others can give you a bit more wiggle room to work with.

Are you ready to bling it on?

Bring your designs to life and let your creativity truly sparkle with our comprehensive rhinestone course.

Join the Course

I will be breaking down each of these rhinestone topics in detail. Hopefully by the end of the article, you will have a clear understanding for which is the best glue to purchase for use on rhinestones.

I am always testing to find the best products to use in my studio. I tested out three glues for gluing rhinestones to a variety of materials and the results were very interesting to say the least!

I started by preparing the surface with some light sanding and rubbing alcohol to be sure the rhinestones could properly adhere. Don’t skip this step! Nine times out of ten, if the rhinestones fall off, it is because the surface hasn't been scuffed and properly cleaned of any oils or factory spray finishes.

Also, I only tested out the glues on a dry surface for best results. If you do not work with dry surfaces, I cannot guarantee the results of this experiment.

I only used flat back rhinestones and they were all glass (Swarovski rhinestones are an example of glass rhinestones but are not necessary to use since there are so many great brands readily available these days). Be sure to work on hard surfaces only so this means if you are working on fabric, be sure it is flat on a table and stretched as much as needed.

To keep my experiment uniform, I tried each type of adhesive four times. Next, I added a dot of glue four times (just to be safe) and pushed the rhinestones down using a wax pen.

It is important to use a permanent adhesive otherwise your rhinestones will fall off! Also, you will want to be sure that the adhesive goes to the very edges of the stone.

I used more than needed since I was testing strength and having everything look neat and tidy wasn't too important for this experiment. Obviously I must work more carefully when working on art.

One of my obsessions is bedazzling cereal boxes

For best results, be sure to be using flat back rhinestones and I will only be working with glass rhinestones to ensure a strong bond. I use glass rhinestones when I make my own art, but I use resin rhinestones when working with kids since they are less expensive. The adhesives should work the same for both, but be mindful that for this experiment, I only used glass.

Some people prefer to add a needle sized applicator tip to their adhesive, but I find using a toothpick or a push pin works just as well as precision tips. I find that precision tips tend to clog and annoy me.

You can also use a wood stick and just be sure to hit the key places on your surface. There is no best way – test and experiment and see what works best for you! Every rhinestone artist uses different methods.

Also, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding dry time. For example, an epoxy glue might have a different drying time than a non-epoxy glue. I tested out different sizes of rhinestones; from tiny rhinestones to extra large (ss30) rhinestones. I wanted to make sure that the adhesives could handle any size.

For this experiment, I didn’t use too much glue – just a glue dot is more than enough. The reason I didn’t test out craft glues, super glue or a hot glue gun is because I’ve tried them in the past and they do not have a strong hold over time.

I do not consider these to be a permanent glue solution. Epoxy resins are always a winner, but they’re more toxic and smell stronger than some other glues. When working with kids, I use Aileene's craft glue and it works well, but I would not recommend this for dance costumes or leather.

What is the best rhinestone glue for metal?

Whether you are gluing rhinestones to a laptop or a tumbler, you will definitely need the right glue. Full disclaimer – none of these glues have been tested in a dishwasher, so be sure to hand wash a tumbler with rhinestones to avoid any lost rhinestones.

Want to see my tests? Check these out:

The Brands I tested out on Metal

Affiliate disclaimer: Although I stand by all of the products I use, I can receive a small commission from any products purchased via my affiliate links.

Supertite – standard glue with slight odor
Liquid Fusion – standard glue with very mild odor
Gem tac – standard glue with minimal odor
Bob Smith Enterprises – epoxy two part resin glue with a fishy odor
E6000 – Gel glue, strong odor

The three most reliable and permanent glues for metal are:

the E6000, Bob Smith, Gem Tac and the Liquid Fusion. Because of the strong odors with E6000, I prefer using Liquid Fusion for most of my artwork, but if I am mounting something and needing the ultimate strength, I use the E6000 or Bob Smith in a well ventilated space. The Bob Smith is very durable, but it is a two-part epoxy and therefore not as user friendly.

What is the Best Rhinestone Glue for Leather?

The brands I tested out on leather

I experimented on leather using the same four adhesives and the results were also very interesting. It is imperative to prep the leather first with light sanding and cleaning with rubbing alcohol. Without these extra steps, the glues will not work. I experimented with:

Supertite – standard glue with slight odor
Aleene’s Rapid Dry – standard glue, slight odor
Liquid Fusion – standard glue with slight odor
Gemtac – standard glue with minimal odor
Bob Smith Enterprises – epoxy two part resin glue with a fishy odor. In my opinion, not a great choice because of the two part process and the unpleasant odor.

In conclusion:

The best rhinestone leather glues are E6000, Gem- Tac and Liquid Fusion.

What is the Best Rhinestone Fabric Glue?

Perhaps you've been tasked with bedazzling an ice skating or roller skate costume. If this is you, you'll want to check out the results of this experiment.

When using permanent strong adhesive on fabric to add crystal rhinestones to canvas, the question remains whether or not the glue will be machine washable. I tested that out and the results are interesting! So…which had the most permanent bond?

Rhinestones on a canvas bag

Although I would recommend using dry cleaning to wash rhinestoned fabrics, I’ve identified which adhesives worked best in a washing machine on a warm water wash. I haven’t attempted to try glues on stretchy fabrics, but if you do, be sure the fabric is stretched as much as possible. I washed this bag through several machine washings just to ensure that I did it the right way.

I would also recommend using a fine precision brush applicator so that the adhesive glue doesn’t show on the fabric. This doesn’t matter as much if the rhinestones are very close to one another. The results were interesting and in my opinion…

The Brands I tested out on Fabric

In conclusion

The best fabric glues are: Liquid Fusion, E6000, Fabric Fusion, and Aleene’s Super Fabric Adhesive.

What is the best adhesive for hard plastics?

Other brands…I tested out Aleene’s Jewel glue in the past and it made the rhinestones foggy, so I didn’t use this in this experiment. I also did not try to use a two part epoxy because the odor was bothering me.

A great alternative for most glues would be to use UV light and UV resin, but the smell really bothered me, too.

In conclusion:

The best hard plastic glue is E6000.

What is the Best Rhinestone Glue for Cardboard?

If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that I am obsessed with bedazzling cereal boxes and candy boxes and even though these are technically considered cardboard, they do have a slight coating which could make the rhinestones hard to stick to.

But I tested out all of the glues and they all seemed to do really well. So, I would recommend using Beacon Gem Tac for cardboard because…it stick to the cardboard just as well as any other adhesive and it is low odor which is important when working on a project for hours at a time!

The Best Glues for Rhinestones to Cardboard are: E6000, Gem Tac Glue, and Liquid Fusion.

Knowing the right type of glue prior to starting with rhinestones is imperative – it doesn’t make a difference if I am using large jewels or smaller ones. Whatever you decide, good luck and please comment below with your findings!

If you like things that are colorful, check out this DIY on marbling – so much fun and so super easy!

I created this chart for you to take with you to the art supply store:

Tips and Tricks for Working with Rhinestones

Only use flat-back rhinestones
Only use a small amount of glue to avoid fogging up the stones
Swarovski crystals are not necessary for getting lots of sparkle - most glass rhinestones work well
Before using a lot of glue, do your own testing first!
You'll find great value if you purchase a lot of rhinestones in bulk.

Want the best adhesive for adding rhinestones to Crocs? Check out this post.

Looking for the best rhinestones for your next bedazzling project? I get some of my rhinestones from Amazon (linked above), but I get the bulk of my rhinestones from this incredible rhinestone online store. Use coupon code artbeat for 10% off all purchases!

The Complete Guide to the Best Rhinestone Glues

Are you ready to bling it on?