Gluing rhinestones on shoes, clothes, or other items is not an easy task. When it comes to gluing rhinestones on various items, such as shoes, clothes, and accessories, you have tons of options available.
What are the best rhinestone glues? The best rhinestone glues will be compatible with the surface of your project, dry clear, and create a strong and long-lasting bond. You may also want to choose a glue that is non-toxic, allows for precise application, and isn’t too runny or too thick.
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the best rhinestone glue for your needs. In this article, let’s take a look at how to pick the best rhinestone glue for your project.
How To Choose Rhinestone Glue
Before going into the details about all the rhinestone glue options out there, let’s talk about the various features and factors that you should look for when purchasing rhinestone glue.
Drying Time
When it comes to gluing rhinestones on a surface, you will want a type of glue that works fairly quickly while still allowing you some time to adjust the position of the rhinestone. Keep in mind that when working with rhinestones, you’re never just attaching one; you’re probably attaching dozens and sometimes hundreds of rhinestones on a garment or a surface.
If the glue takes too long to dry, it can really affect your productivity. The sweet spot here is a glue that takes a few minutes to set in place but will take a while to permanently cure. That way, you have some time to position your rhinestone to the perfect spot but still maintain your productivity.
Clear Drying
The color of the glue should also be considered when buying. When gluing rhinestones on fabric or other surfaces, it’s best to pick out an adhesive that will dry clear so that mistakes aren’t easily spotted, and the look of the glue won’t affect how the final product will look.
Bond Strength
One of the most important characteristics to look for when it comes to rhinestone glue is how well the adhesive works. After all, you want the rhinestone to stay for a long time.
If you are adding rhinestones to your shoes or fabrics, you will also want a flexible adhesive that is waterproof when cured so that the rhinestones can stay put even after a few wash cycles.
Precise Application
When it comes to applying rhinestone adhesive, make sure that the applicator is as precise as possible. Since the rhinestones are very small, they only require a small amount of glue, so having a precise applicator on your adhesive bottle is always a big help.
Toxicity
There are a few types of rhinestone glue, each of which has a different chemical composition. Depending on the type of glue you choose, the glue can be toxic, especially for pets and children. If this is important to you, make sure to use a non-toxic alternative. Some types of rhinestone glues, such as epoxy, can have a strong odor that requires you to work in a well-ventilated area.
Viscosity
Viscosity refers to how thick or thin the glue is. If the glue is too runny, it may bleed all over your surface material and even damage it. If the glue is too thick, it may take a long time to dry.
Surface Material
Each type of rhinestone glue is formulated to work well with a different type of surface material. When working with fabrics, plastic, or glass, you will need to take a look at whether the type of rhinestone glue you have will work well with that material.
When working with fabric, in particular, you need to understand that not every type of fabric can work with rhinestone glue. Some rhinestone glues have chemicals that may damage certain types of fabrics, especially sensitive materials like rayon or silk.
In this case, you should consider the surface material that you have to pick the best one that works for that material so that you can protect the surface you are gluing.
Types Of Glues For Rhinestones
Having explored the different characteristics of rhinestone glue, let’s take a look at some common types of glue often used with rhinestones.
1. Super Glue
Super glue is a type of glue that’s known for its ability to bond various materials, even gems and rhinestones. Although superglue claims to be waterproof, it is often considered a quick fix as the bond tends to weaken after some time. Super glue is also not great for working with plastic.
Superglue dries very quickly, but because of its runny consistency, it is often very difficult to work with. If you are not careful, super glue can burn your hand and even ruin some delicate fabrics. However, it’s a great solution if you are in a hurry and want something that cures within seconds.
2. Hot Glue
Hot glue is a commonly used adhesive for arts and crafts. The glue is melted in the gun applicator and can be precisely applied to attach each rhinestone.
This type of adhesive works well with both porous materials (such as wood and fabrics) and non-porous materials (such as plastic or glass). Because the glue dries hard and semi-clear, it can even be used to fill in gaps and cracks in a material.
3. Epoxy
Epoxies are usually two components. The main glue is usually a liquid resin, while the curing agent is a substance that helps the glue dry. Epoxy can probably create the strongest bond out of all the rhinestone glue options because it can resist moisture and temperature changes.
This type of glue works with both porous and non-porous materials. However, because the glue dries hard, you should use a small amount at a time, especially when working with flexible materials like fabric.
Depending on the type of epoxy that you use, the glue can take up to 48 hours to cure. It can also produce a strong odor, so when working with this adhesive, make sure to work in a well-ventilated area.
4. Polyurethane Glue
Polyurethane is probably one of the most versatile adhesives out there because it can be used on wood, plastic, foam, or even glass.
Depending on the formula, you can find polyurethane glue that dries hard (similar to epoxy) or flexible, which makes it great for all kinds of applications. The formula allows this type of glue to form very strong, water-resistant bonds that can withstand the elements, which makes it great as a rhinestone glue.
5 Best Rhinestone Glues
Having learned about the different types of rhinestone glue, let’s take a look at some of the best rhinestone glues on the market below.
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Aleene's Jewel-It Embellishing Glue | Quick-drying, flexible, washable, clear |
| 2. | Aleene's Liquid Fusion Clear Urethane | Non-toxic, low odor, waterproof, versatile |
| 3. | Beacon Adhesives Gem-Tac Permanent Adhesive | Clear, waterproof, versatile, permanent |
| 4. | Gras Art Bundles Jewelry Bead Adhesive Glue | Non-toxic, precision application, clear |
| 5. | Cat Palm B-7000 Adhesive | Versatile, high elasticity, clear, durable |
1. Aleene’s Jewel-It Embellishing Glue
Aleene’s Jewel-It Embellisher Glue is a quick-drying, flexible formula for use with all washable and non-washable fabrics.
In addition to the strong bond that it provides for the rhinestones to stay securely on your fabric, the glue dries clear and flexible, making it perfect for crafting a fashion item.
The bottle comes with a precise applicator, which makes it quite easy to apply when you need to attach a rhinestone to a surface.
This non-toxic, quick-drying formula can permanently adhere big or small rhinestones and gems to fabric that will be laundered since the bond is unaffected by the washer and dryer.
2. Aleene’s Liquid Fusion Clear Urethane
When you want to give your craft projects lasting results, you can rely on this Liquid Fusion Clear Urethane to get the job done.
Its versatile, powerhouse strength is complemented by its non-toxic, non-foaming, and low odor formula. Plus, this clear urethane glue can be used on many types of porous and non-porous surfaces with maximum staying power to form waterproof bonds.
This makes this urethane glue a highly versatile adhesive to have in the house to help you work on a wide range of projects, from embellishing fabric to decorating accessories and other items.
3. Beacon Adhesives Gem-Tac Permanent Adhesive
Capable of bonding rhinestones and other adornments to fabrics and other surfaces, this permanent adhesive dries crystal clear and is waterproof. It can work well with various porous and non-porous surfaces, which makes it a staple in your craft box.
This type of glue can dry within an hour but will take up to 24 hours for the glue to cure permanently. This gives you some time to adjust the glue, and when it is completely cured, the bond is permanent and waterproof.
This is a highly dependable adhesive option for rhinestone that you can use on a multitude of projects.
4. Gras Art Bundles Jewelry Bead Adhesive Glue
This adhesive is specifically formulated for working with jewelry. The E6000 is a super-strong, non-toxic glue that can be used in most DIY jewelry-making projects.
From earring making to stone bead stringing, this glue will hold your rhinestones in place securely.
The package comes with four precision applicator tips and dotted applicator tools to help you get the perfect applications every time. The bottle also has a twist cap for ease of use with one hand.
Not only is this application super easy to use, but this adhesive also dries clear and provides a very strong yet flexible bond that can help your rhinestones stay put on your jewelry. This adhesive is non-toxic and is perfect for any jewelry-making project.
5. CAT Palm B-7000 Adhesive
The CAT Palm B-7000 Adhesive is a structural glue designed for bonding many different materials, both porous and non-porous.
The B-7000 Adhesive has very high elasticity, meaning it can endure 900% elongation without breaking. This makes the adhesive ideal for use in jewelry pieces and fabrics that require flexibility in movements.
The precise applicator allows you to apply a little bit of glue at a time, and after drying, the glue will dry clear and create a permanent bond that is highly durable, allowing your rhinestones to stay safe and secure.
Up Next: How To Embellish A Dress With Rhinestones
