*Please PM me if you know the size/crystal color on anything that isn't listed here. I want to make the guide as comprehensive as possible.

Welcome to your (hopefully) all-inclusive R&R crystallzing guide. Here you will find tips and tricks for adding crystals to your jeans, choosing the right colors, and making them stay on the jeans. To start your project, you will need a good heatwand, swarovski hotfix crystals, quality glue, and your favorite pair of jeans. You can get all of these (minus the jeans) at the recommended websites below.


Crystal Websites:

• Rhinestoneshop.com This site has very good selection of colors and sizes. Shipping is quick and free in the US. I highly recommend it.
• Beads and Beading - Swarovski Crystal Beads - Artbeads.com This site also has good color selection, including some of the older colors R&R uses. They charge by the crystal rather than by gross. Good if you only need a few replacements. Free US shipping.
  
• K. Gottfried Inc. - Swarovski® Crystal Stones, Beads and Jewelry Components This site is good for buying crystals in bulk if you need a lot of the same color. You definitely would not need this many for one pair of jeans.
• Welcome to Diamante Designs Pricing is in Euros on this website and may be cheaper for European residents.
  

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Heat Wand:

• BeJeweler® Stone Styler™ This is the wand I use.
  
• Amazon.com: Bejeweler Pro Embellishment Tool: Home & GardenThis one comes with all of the tips you will need. It is also relatively inexpensive.
• You can also get a heat wand at nearly any local fabric/craft store. Make sure it includes tips for the crystal size you are using (that info is detailed below.)

Glue:

First, a note about the glue from me. I have tried doing my crystals with and without glue. Many people recommend it, however, I prefer only using the hotfix crystals with no glue. Crystals I have used glue on have gotten gummy in the wash and fall off quicker. Some people use it as extra insurance, but in my opinion it isn't worth the extra trouble. I will detail how to do it using both methods below.

• Rhinestoneshop.com Gem-Tac glue is the best I've used personally.
• Artbeads.com - Jewel Bond Glue This is also a good glue, and if you are buying from Artbeads already, it may be a better option.
• You can also find these glues at your local fabric/craft store.
  

Crystal Color/Size/Amount Guide for Crowns & Rs:
Note: These are the factory colors/sizes for these styles. You can choose a custom color if you would like, but if you like the factory look, go with the options below. On most websites, crystals are ordered in "gross" which is 144 crystals. I recommend to go with more than necessary than less. You will probably lose some eventually and it is good to have replacements on hand. The amount is only a guideline. I find I use more crystals on my size 30 or 31 jeans than I will on a size 25, so order accordingly.

• Red Crown (SIAM/12ss/98)
• Pink Crown (CRYSTAL AB/12ss/98)
• White Crown (CRYSTAL AB /12ss/98)
• Lavender Crown (CRYSTAL AB /12ss/98)
• Foam Crown (CRYSTAL AB /12ss/98)
• Whiskey Copper Crown (TOPAZ/12ss/98)
  
• Blue Chroma (CRYSTAL AB/10ss/3-4 gross)
• Pink Chroma (ROSE/10ss/3-4 gross)
• Roth/David Lee R's (any color/10ss/2 gross)
• Turmoil/Agent Studs (Silver & Grey or Black/3mm/89 black;81 silver)
• Nicotine Fleur (SAGE/12ss/100)
• Vicodin Fleur (LT SAPPHIRE/12ss/100)
• New R's (any color/8ss/2-3 gross)
  

Crystal Application:

• I like to use my cutting board, a lapdesk, or a traditional desk to have a flat working space to use to apply my crystals.
• I have an old pair of tweezers that work very well to maneuver crystals and get them out of the wand and pressed well onto the jeans.

Make sure you have the right size tip on your wand and let it heat up for a few minutes before you start.

Directions WITHOUT Glue (my recommendation):
Pick up the crystal with the hotfix tool. Look at the bottom of the crystal and wait until the glue gets slightly bubbly. Place the crystal where you want it with the wand, use your tweezers to press it out and onto the jeans.

Directions WITH Glue:
Pick up a crystal with your tweezers and dab a dot of glue on the back. Place the crystal where you want it and press down with the tweezers. Hold your heat wand over the crystal for 8-10 seconds. Press again.


Aftercare:
Whether or not you put the crystals on the jeans yourself or you bought them that way, follow these instructions to keep them on.

• Wash your jeans on the cold/gentle cycle of your washer turned inside out.
• Always hang them to dry.
• Don't fret if you lose a crystal or two. It's the same process to replace it.
  

Crystal Placement Pictures/Guide:

Old R's

*Top two pairs are factory crystals, the rest are custom done by me.







Chromas







New R's





Crowns






Death Metal:





Fleur:



Wings:



Vato:




Disco:

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I doubt I will be crystallizing any of my own pairs but well laid out and beautiful pictures!!

Thanks

Oooooh great job with the guide! can't get enough of the sparklies on our butts, haha

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In search of:
Matic 71R (28), Rokket 8CT (27/28). MLB Kate (26), Lilac matic 8EM (27), COH Valenica Ingrid (27/28)

Thanks!!
I'm glad you made a picture of the Vatos. I have a pair that I've been wanting to crystallize for a while, but never knew how many crystals to use.
Still not sure what color I'm going to use for them though.

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Desperately looking for Dark red True Religions ((like THIS))
size 24 ANY CUT

Well, we can always give suggestions if you pick some colors you like.

btw guys, this will probably get stickied soon and I will remove the old one, so if you see that anything needs to be added, let me know.

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You are amazing

What a great guide! I don't have anything to add, but thanks for all your hard work Steph!

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Looking for: R&R and Diesel in size 24/25
Can give: Diesel Lowky 81M 25, R&R Lead Varga 27, Stella Hazy 26, Cosbie Poison 25

Oh, I thought this was going to be a sticky and we shouldn't post unnecessary comments so I didn't comment earlier but if everyone else is posting.. great job, Steph!!

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Carol
Still Need: (all R&R in a 27 or possibly 26!) Halites (Kurt or Jagger), Demure Flex, Radial, Opal, Quaalude Flaming Hearts!

This guide is so timely since I'm waiting for crystals to arrive in the mail to do my Ions!
The only thing I noticed in this guide is that there isn't a size recommendation noted for Old Rs (unless I missed it!).
In searching through the old guide, 10ss was recommended. Steph I'd be curious to know if you recommend the same before I get started! :-)
Thanks for compiling all this!

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Most wanted: R&R Pressure Points (27/28) and TR studded Joeys (any non-black wash) 27

Nice job, Steph..now what would be a good men's pair to crystallize???

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Unofficial Я&R Fitting Guides

^Don't get me started on that.

eta: Carol, it is stickied now, but since the crystallizing process sometimes needs Q&A, I thought I would leave it unlocked like the old one.

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maybe an s2d pair? or mooch...maybe i should think about studding some pairs...

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Michael
NEED! (~30): R&R: Colburg: TALON, SHREDDING FORCE, SHOWDOWN CREW; Vaughn: Breakthru Grey Darkness, Riccochet Xtreme; Henlee: Havoc, Intruder; Taylor: Ferocious, COLLISION COURSE, Regulator Reform | 7FAM (29?): Slimmy in Bellemont