Learn About Preciosa Crystal Flatback Rhinestones

If you are just starting out you might find a lot of confusing information which leads to all sorts of questions like:

What does Hotfix Flatbacks mean?

What is a flatback rhinestone?

What is Preciosa VIVA?

What is the difference between a crystal and rhinestone?

What is the difference between a flatback crystal and a fancy stone?

What is the difference between a chaton and a flatback?

What does SS mean when sizing crystals?

Is an ss34 rhinestone big or small?

Are Preciosa crystals high quality?

Where to buy Preciosa flack back rhinestone crystals?

Read below to find all the answers you are looking for and more!

VIVA, Hotfix, Flatback...what's it all mean?

A flat back crystal stone or rhinestone is a stone which has a completely flat surface on the back. These stones are usually foiled so that light bounces back like from the surface of a mirror and have facets which direct the light in different directions creating beautiful sparkle. These products are ideal for applications such as gluing to garments, handbags, interior decor, nails and more! 

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Preciosa brand flat back crystals also come with the option of Hotfix. Hotfix crystals are flat back rhinestones that already have a pre-applied layer or dotting of glue on the flat surface so that you can apply the crystals using heat. Regular flat backs that are not Hotfix require the use of a glue adhesive for application.

VIVA is the name of the cut of these flatback stones, meaning the specific the way the facets on the surface of the stone are designed, similarly to how a precious stone can have an emerald cut or a princess cut. The cut of the facets determines how sparkly the stone appears with the more cuts, the more angles that light can bounce from adding to the sparkle. VIVIA, which is also called VIVIA 12, has 12 facets cut around the central top facet so it's super sparkly!

You may also be aware of Fancy Stones which are stones that do not have a flat back such as chatons, rivolis and more fun and beautiful shapes of crystals. These stones are not suitable for gluing applications unless prepared in some kind of setting. These can be classic metal settings with prongs or they can be elaborated beaded bezels. These stones tend to be larger than flatbacks which tend to be much smaller (although there is some overlap in the top range of flatback sizes and bottom range of fancy stone sizes). Eureka carries fancy stones in the top quality ELITE brand and Krakovski Crystal brand as well.

What does SS mean when it comes to the size of rhinestones and flatbacks?

The SS designation, which you will see as 'ss10' or 'ss34' stands for stone size and it is an old style way of measuring very small sizes of stones back when it was not possible to manufacture to such exact degrees of precision. That's why the ss sizes don't line up to perfect mm measurements. 

For example, our smallest ss size stone that we carry at Eureka are ss10 which are 2.6mm - 2.8mm and the largest we carry is ss34 which are 7.1mm - 7.3mm (by contrast, the smallest fancy stones we carry are 8mm chatons and 8mm rivolis which would translate to ss39).

What does the Preciosa crystal brand represent?

For five centuries, Preciosa has been seamlessly blending ancient tradition with the most innovative new technologies to create crystals and fine jewelry stones of unparalleled quality. 

The first glass kiln was ignited in 1548 in the picturesque, mountainous region of Northern Bohemia, known today as Crystal Valley.

It was here that a new industry emerged over the next several hundred years in the workshops and ateliers scattered across the majestic Jizera mountains. In the heart of it all was, and still is, a small town called Jablonec nad Nisou, where 25 independent glassmakers came together exactly four centuries later in 1948 to establish one supreme crystal manufacturer: Preciosa.

Founded upon the ideals of quality, durability and innovation, Preciosa has throughout the centuries achieved new technological breakthroughs and introduced the world over to the truly captivating and timeless quality of authentically crafted Bohemian crystal, zirconia and nanogems.

Made with the finest locally sourced raw ingredients, Preciosa boasts that their crystals are unparalleled in both quality and shine. Every stone and cabochon is carefully handcrafted using centuries old glassmaking techniques and natural Bohemian sand, famously rich in silica dioxide, which gives the stones their signature shine.

Preciosa group is a global leader in products manufactured from crystal. From the world famous Czech Beads and Crystal Components used in the fashion industry, to tailor made Lighting projects for luxury hotels, royal palaces and yachts.

We here at Eureka Crystal Beads are extremely proud to be able to offer these stunning, high quality crystal products from Preciosa.