How to Create Rhinestone Costume Jewelry

Costume jewelry often features shiny and colorful rhinestones.

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For most women, their first piece of jewelry was costume jewelry, or fake jewelry, which is typically made with non-precious materials. These baubles were created to give women an inexpensive yet beautiful alternative to genuine jewelry that is more pricey. You can add color and shimmer to your daily wardrobe by creating your own rhinestone costume jewelry. All materials needed to create costume bracelets, necklaces, rings or earrings can be found in craft stores.

Related Searches:Difficulty:ModerateInstructions Things You'll NeedHot glue gunClothIsopropyl rubbing alcoholPlastic braceletPlastic ringPlain EarringsRhinestonesTweezersHeadbandSuggest EditsCreating Rhinestone Bracelets, Rings and Earrings1

Dab a cloth in isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Use the cloth to wipe the plastic ring, bracelet or earrings to remove any residue or debris. Allow the jewelry piece to dry.

2

Apply a dab of hot glue to the back, flat surface of the rhinestones. Pick up each rhinestone using tweezers. Attach the rhinestone to the surface of the bracelet, ring or earring.

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Add several rhinestones to each piece, or one larger rhinestone that will cover the entire plastic surface. Add rhinestones one at a time. Wait at least 1/2 hour to allow hot glue to dry before wearing your rhinestone costume jewelry.

Creating Rhinestone Necklaces1

The headband for your necklace should not contain any teeth or sharp edges on its interior. The ideal headband should be 1 inch in width. Soft, flexible plastic headbands make the best surface for attaching rhinestones. Place the headband around your neck to find the ideal size. It should be snug but not uncomfortable. The opening in the headband should be at the back of your neck.

2

Apply hot glue to the flat surface of each rhinestone and use tweezers to set rhinestones onto the exterior of the headband one at a time. You can set rhinestones side by side or leave space between them.

3

Allow hot glue to dry. If using a soft plastic headband, do not flex the headband much more than what is required to place the headband around your neck, or you may weaken the glue bonds.

Tips & Warnings

Soak a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and rub around the spaces between rhinestones to remove excess hot glue.

Do not substitute hot glue for super glue when attaching rhinestones to costume jewelry. Super glue will affect the appearance of rhinestones.

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The Type of Metal to Use in Costume Jewelry

Costume jewelry is beautiful and inexpensive.

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Unlike fine jewelry, costume jewelry is made from nonprecious metals called base metals. Most of these are both beautiful and relatively benign. However, nickel can cause an allergic reaction, while the lead found in some alloys has been linked to far more serious conditions and is highly regulated.

Related Searches: Base Metal

Base metal is a jewelry industry term for nonprecious metals used in costume jewelry, including copper, aluminum, brass, nickel silver, pewter and white metal, also called pot metal. Nickel silver is a silvery-white alloy resembling silver made from nickel, zinc, copper, iron, manganese and sometimes lead. Pot metal and white metal are catchall terms for any alloy with an unspecified content that may include tin, zinc, copper, lead, bismuth or antimony.

Platings

Many pieces of costume jewelry are covered in a thin coat of metal called plating. Gold plating resembles 14-karat gold and consists of a thin coat of yellow color or even real gold. Yellow plating resembles gold but is brassier and longer lasting than gold plate. Silver plate resembles sterling silver and is made from a thin layer of silver color or real silver. Copper plating consists of a thin sheet of copper. Copper plating is typically placed over metal that is harder than copper. Pieces made with copper plating are generally stronger than pure copper. White plating is a silver-colored plating that is slightly grayer than silver-plating. Gunmetal plating ranges in color from dark gray to black. Plating described as "antiqued" has been darkened for a "distressed" look designed to seem vintage.

Nickel Allergies

Nickel is found in a variety of objects including eyeglass frames, watchbands, coins, necklace clasps and earrings. Frequent contact with nickel can cause a nickel allergy. Nickel allergies are a frequent cause of allergic contact dermatitis, a form of itchy rash caused by touching otherwise innocuous materials. Although nickel allergies are treatable, once someone develops the allergy she will remain sensitive to nickel and should avoid it. Symptoms include itching, bumps or rash, redness, and dry patches of skin. Some alternative metals to nickel include sterling silver, karat gold and niobium.

Lead Warnings

Lead was traditionally used in alloys such as pewter so that they would be softer and melt at lower temperatures. Lead has been linked to a variety of health problems including infertility, nerve disorders, joint pain, muscle pain, high blood pressure, memory and concentration problems, and irritability. Children exposed to high levels of lead are at risk for brain damage, stomach problems, anemia and muscle problems. Under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, in effect since 2009, products for children that include accessible components containing more than 300 parts per million of lead are illegal hazardous products. In addition, California state law applies lead limits to jewelry intended for adults. Anyone who sells jewelry in California must comply with California law.

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