Metal Trimmings

Crystal metal trimmings are embellishment components where precision-cut glass crystals are pre-set in metal, providing a permanent, secure fixing for surfaces where adhesive or stitching alone cannot deliver sufficient long-term durability. The collection covers Swarovski and Preciosa metal trimmings across six distinct product types: cup chain, crystal mesh, rivets, rose pins, rondelle beads and single stone settings, available in PP and SS sizes across gold, silver and rhodium plated finishes. Available in retail and wholesale packs with no minimum order, ideal for leather goods, denim, footwear, accessories, performance costumes, bridal embellishment and bespoke jewellery making.

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Shop Metal Trimmings by Brand

Browse by brand to find the right metal trimmings for your project: Swarovski metal trimmings for the world's leading Austrian-made crystal components including crystal mesh, or Preciosa metal trimmings for premium Czech-made crystal across the broadest trimming range covering cup chain, rivets, rondelle beads, rose pins and single stone settings.

What Are Crystal Metal Trimmings?

Crystal metal trimmings are the professional standard for leather goods, denim, heavy performance fabrics, accessories and jewellery where crystals must withstand significant physical use, tension and wear. Unlike hotfix or glue-on crystals, each trimming type uses a mechanical fixing method that anchors the crystal permanently into or through the material. Each type has a specific application method suited to particular surfaces and design applications.

Which Brand Is Right for You?

Swarovski and Preciosa offer overlapping core trimming products with specific category strengths.

  • Swarovski — the world's leading crystal brand, manufactured in Wattens, Austria. Metal trimmings include cup chain, crystal mesh, rivets and rose pins. The highest precision in the precision-cut crystal category and the established premium choice for luxury fashion, footwear and accessories
  • Preciosa — premium Czech-made crystal drawing on centuries of Bohemian glassmaking heritage. The broadest trimming product range of the two brands, covering cup chain, rivets, rondelle beads, rose pins and single stone settings. Exclusive special production colours are stocked alongside the full core range, with a more accessible price point across most product types

What Types of Crystal Metal Trimmings Are Available?

The range covers six distinct trimming types, each with a specific application method and use case.

Cup chain (also known as rhinestone chain) is a continuous flexible chain of crystals individually set in small metal cups and linked together, available from both Swarovski and Preciosa. It can be soldered, plated and sewn by hand or machine onto garments, jewellery and accessories, making it the most versatile trimming type. Available in round chaton and baguette formats across a range of PP and SS sizes, in gold, silver and rhodium plated finishes, across a wide range of crystal colours including Crystal and Crystal AB.

Crystal mesh (Swarovski) is a flexible fabric with crystals pre-set into a metal or netting base for fast large-scale surface coverage on garments, costumes and accessories. Cut to size and stitch, glue or heat-bond into place for professional all-over crystal coverage significantly faster than individual stone-by-stone application.

Rivets are two-piece components available from both brands, comprising a crystal in a metal casing with a post at the back and a separate back piece. Push the post through the fabric from the front, place the back piece on the reverse, and crimp the two together using a fly press or applicator pliers with the correct die set. Rivets provide the most secure crystal attachment available, ideal for leather goods, denim and heavy accessories.

Rose pins are available from both brands and feature flatback crystals in metal settings with four spikes extending from the back. The spikes are pressed through fabric and bent flat like a staple, securing the crystal without adhesive. Use an applicator or fly press with the correct pin die set to apply; they are popular for denim, leather, canvas and heavy woven fabrics.

Rondelle beads (Preciosa) are small crystals encased in metal settings used as decorative spacer components in jewellery making. Available in gold and silver plated finishes across a range of sizes, they add sparkle between beads in necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

Single stone settings (Preciosa) are prong or claw settings designed to hold individual Preciosa chatons securely while exposing the faceted crown for maximum light refraction, used in bespoke jewellery making and garment embellishment.

What Are Crystal Metal Trimmings Used For?

Crystal metal trimmings suit a wide range of professional embellishment and jewellery making applications across both brands.

  • Cup chain for necklaces, bracelets, chokers, earrings and border embellishment on bridal gowns and occasion wear
  • Rivets and rose pins for leather goods including bags, belts and shoes, denim garments and performance costumes
  • Crystal mesh for fast large-scale coverage on bridal and couture garments
  • Rondelle beads and single stone settings for bespoke jewellery making and detailed embellishment work

Design with Crystal Metal Trimmings

Crystal metal trimmings combine beautifully alongside flatback crystals and sew-on crystals for complete embellishment designs using multiple attachment methods across different areas of a garment or accessory. Cup chain works particularly well alongside crystal beads and crystal pearls in jewellery designs. To complete your projects, browse our full range of tools and accessories including fly press, applicator pliers and die sets. For step-by-step embellishment guides, visit the Bluestreak Craft Studio.

Why Buy Metal Trimmings from Bluestreak?

  • Both premium brands in one place — Swarovski and Preciosa crystal metal trimmings stocked together with consistent service and dispatch
  • Authorised distributor — official Swarovski Authorised Distribution Partner and Preciosa Authorised Partner, with every trimming sourced directly and guaranteed genuine
  • Exclusive Preciosa colours — special production crystal colours not available through standard Preciosa distribution channels
  • Application tools stocked alongside — fly press, applicator pliers and die sets in the tools and accessories collection for complete project supply from one supplier
  • Fast dispatch — majority of orders shipped same or next working day, with express options to the USA in 2 to 5 days
  • Retail and wholesale packs — no minimum order, suited to single projects, fashion brands and full production runs
  • Colour supportdigital colour guides and a sample service for confident colour matching across brands
  • Trade pricing availableapply for a trade discount for tiered pricing on bulk and repeat orders

Browse the full crystal metal trimmings range to start ordering. For pricing enquiries, fashion brand wholesale or production-quantity discussions, contact our team at hello@bluestreakcrystals.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are crystal metal trimmings?
Crystal metal trimmings are embellishment components where precision-cut glass crystals are pre-set in metal, providing a permanent mechanical fixing rather than relying on adhesive or stitching alone. The range covers cup chain, crystal mesh, rivets, rose pins, rondelle beads and single stone settings, each with its own application method. They are the professional standard for leather goods, denim, footwear, performance costumes and any application requiring crystal attachment that withstands significant physical stress.
How does Swarovski compare to Preciosa metal trimmings?
Swarovski (Austrian-made) is the world's leading crystal brand, manufactured in Wattens with the highest precision in the precision-cut crystal category. Swarovski metal trimmings cover cup chain, crystal mesh, rivets and rose pins. Preciosa (Czech-made) offers the broadest metal trimming product range of the two brands, covering cup chain, rivets, rondelle beads, rose pins and single stone settings, at a more accessible price point across most product types and including exclusive special production colours. Both brands can be combined within a single design using complementary trimming types.
What is cup chain used for?
Cup chain is a continuous flexible chain of crystals individually set in small metal cups and linked together, the most versatile metal trimming type. It can be soldered, plated and sewn by hand or machine onto garments, jewellery and accessories, suited to necklaces, bracelets, chokers, earrings, border embellishment on bridal gowns, costume trim and accessory embellishment. Cup chain is available in round chaton and baguette formats across PP and SS sizes, with gold, silver and rhodium plated finishes from both Swarovski and Preciosa.
How do I apply crystal rivets?
Crystal rivets are two-piece components consisting of a crystal in a metal casing with a post at the back, and a separate back piece. Push the post through the fabric or leather from the front, place the back piece on the reverse side, and crimp the two together using a fly press or applicator pliers with the correct die set. The mechanical join provides the most secure crystal attachment available, suited to leather goods, denim, footwear and heavy performance accessories that require lasting durability under physical stress.
What's the difference between rivets and rose pins?
Both are mechanical-fixing metal trimmings but use different attachment methods. Rivets are two-piece components crimped together through fabric using a fly press or pliers, providing the most secure fix for leather and heavy materials. Rose pins feature flatback crystals in metal settings with four spikes extending from the back; the spikes press through fabric and bend flat like a staple. Rivets suit thick or rigid materials requiring maximum security. Rose pins suit denim, leather, canvas and heavy woven fabrics where a slightly faster application method is preferred.
What's crystal mesh used for?
Crystal mesh is a Swarovski flexible fabric with crystals pre-set into a metal or netting base for fast, large-scale surface coverage on garments, costumes and accessories. Cut to size and stitch, glue or heat-bond into place for professional all-over crystal coverage significantly faster than individual stone-by-stone application. Crystal mesh is widely used on bridal and couture garments, statement embellishment panels, dance and performance costumes and fashion accessories where extensive crystal coverage is the design.
What tools do I need for applying crystal metal trimmings?
Different trimming types require different application tools. Cup chain can be applied by hand sewing, machine sewing, soldering or gluing. Rivets and rose pins require a fly press or hand applicator pliers with the correct die sets sized for the specific product. Crystal mesh is applied with needle and thread, fabric glue or a heat press. Rondelle beads and single stone settings are used in standard jewellery making with the appropriate findings. Browse our tools and accessories collection for fly press, applicator pliers, die sets and other compatible tools.
How quickly can I receive crystal metal trimmings?
The majority of orders dispatch same or next working day from our warehouse. UK orders typically arrive within 1-2 working days; USA orders within 2 to 5 days via express shipping. For tight production deadlines, denim or leather brand orders or fashion brand schedules, contact us directly at hello@bluestreakcrystals.com to confirm stock and dispatch timing before placing the order.