Rhinestone Dilema?

[Skittl1321]

Does anyone know how Preciosa rhinestones compare to Swarvoski.  It doesn't save A LOT, but it does save a bit.  Is it worth spending the extra to go with Swarvoski?

(I decided to get crystal AB and light topaz.  I'm going to get enough Crystal AB to do a bit on this dress too -for my freeskate- http://www.figureskatewear.com/j92/  ... but now I'm wondering if I want to get a colored stone instead.  However, with no color card- crystal AB is a safe bet right?)

[Skittl1321]

Okay I found quite a few reviews that said the Preciosa are really good.

So new question- do you think that the red dress will look good with JUST Crystal AB, on the bodice too?  I found a site with good reviews and fantastic prices, but I need to order by the 10 gross.  If I can't order by the gross, I can't get the colors.

So if I just use crystal AB- and set it on the neckline, the straps, and inside the little circles on the bodice- will that look good if I'm not using the topaz or fire opal?

[Kim to the Max]

I did a dress from the same designer last year for a friend...it was a similar color and we did ALL ABs (and she decided later to add some fire opals), but I LOVED it with just the ABs...I was trying to find a picture, but all the ones I have, you can't really see the stones...but then again we go a little crazy with the stones 

[Skittl1321]

Okay- all ABs sounds like a good plan.

So I think I'm a little neurotic.
The company with the good deal (beadsfactory.com) has insane shipping - but even with the shipping the price per gross is way better than the other places.  But I don't really need 10 gross.  So now I'm trying to decide if I want to buy more than I need 10 gross for $75, and bling out the dresses like crazy, plus some skating pants, or spend slightly less total- but a lot more per crystal to get just what I need...

[sarahspins]

I would err on the side of getting more than you need - it's probably better than running short.  Maybe you can resell (or save for later) what you don't end up using?

[Purple Sparkly]

How much is the shipping and how is it determined?  Bead Factory is a lot cheaper than Rhinestone shop per gross.

[Skittl1321]

Bead factory has $12 shipping and handling and a $6.70 "currency surcharge" (to convert to euro to pay Preciosa/Swarvoski)  Isn't that ridiculous.  I emailed to ask if that was right ($12 shipping!!!) and they said it's what UPS charges. OMG- go USPS flat rate for goodness sakes.  These can be put in an envelope, not even a box.

So the total for the 10 gross would be $75.  Even still, with $18 in extra charges, it's way cheaper than the other places (which has $5 shipping, and supposedly free if you "like" them on facebook, but I did and didn't see the code.)

The question is just - do I really need 10 gross of all one size and color.

If I ordered from Rhinestone Supply, it would be about $60, but for only 5 gross.

So I'm "saving" $15, but getting a heck of a lot less.

I set up a vague question on facebook asking When shopping do you
a) buy more than you need (but can eventually use) for a lower unit price
b) buy what you need, for a lower total, but a higher unit price.

And my husband answered a) "but only because you can eventually use it", so while he says he was "tricked"- I think that justifies going with BeadsFactory.

I just need to convince myself that I'll like the all Crystal AB look, and that I don't mind having all one size. (Lots of dresses seem to do 2 big 1 small patterns on straps)

[Skittl1321]

So I ended up getting 10 gross of Crystal AB from beadsfactory.com

It was the most economical way to do it- though I bet the gold colors would have looked fantastic.

But this way, I can afford to stone my freeskate and interpretive dresses.

[jumpingbeansmom]

So I ended up getting 10 gross of Crystal AB from beadsfactory.com

It was the most economical way to do it- though I bet the gold colors would have looked fantastic.

But this way, I can afford to stone my freeskate and interpretive dresses.

I think it will look great--- you can do a bit of a pattern to make it look more interesting like maybe

xxxxxxx
x x x

but closer on the 1st and second lines-- I always like to have extras for repair etc

[Skittl1321]

My stones are here!!!  I got 10 gross of  Preciosa Crystal AB 20ss.

OMG that is some bling!  After seeing dresses at the show this weekend, my DH doesn't think I ordered enough- LOL, but I think it will be plenty.

I recommend beadsfactory to anyone looking  - I still think the price is a bit misleading, not having the currency conversion fee factored in, and that if they used the post office they could more than half the cost of shipping, but even still - the price was excellent! 


Now I'm just waiting on the dresses...hopefully in the next 3 weeks they show up!