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All you need to know about diamond painting diamonds
If you are new to the world of diamond painting, you are on the brink of embarking upon an exciting journey that will undoubtedly provide you with hours of pleasure while expressing your inner artistic talent.
What's more, upon completion, you will possess an incredible work of art to proudly display in your home or office.
Moreover, the satisfaction of knowing that you created it yourself will be an added source of pride.
Indeed, anyone can achieve this! Once completed, diamond paintings also make excellent gifts.
What Exactly is Diamond Embroidery? It is the art of creating three-dimensional paintings using resin "diamonds." Similar to cross-stitching, it involves forming a larger whole from smaller components.
This relaxing and rewarding hobby has gained popularity on social media platforms in recent years.
As you begin purchasing your first diamond painting kits, you will notice that some kits come with round diamonds, while others contain square diamonds. As a first-time diamond painter, you have likely wondered about the difference between the two (beyond the obvious shape, of course) and which one is superior.
Read on to learn more and discover some valuable insights into the practice of diamond painting.
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The shape of diamonds
Often referred to as 5-D diamonds due to their faceted surface geometry, both round and square diamonds feature raised inclined facets on one side and a flat bottom.
The faceted side reflects light, giving the finished piece a sparkling effect. You will even find paintings at
Lartera that sparkle like a disco ball, but without the tiresome and repetitive rhythm and the bad hairstyles!
The diamonds found in diamond painting kits are also known as "drills." Round or square refers to the shape of each diamond that you will apply to your canvas.
Round drills are the same as round diamonds, with a circular bottom for easy application. Square drills are similar to square diamonds, with edges featuring straight lines.
Drills and diamonds are sometimes referred to as "beads," "stones," and even "rhinestones."
Round diamonds vs. square diamonds: Which is the optimal choice?
When it comes to square diamond drills and round diamond drills, there is no clear winner. Both possess excellence in their own right.
At Lartera, there are no surprises! The kits come in both diamond shapes and specially selected canvas sizes to help you achieve the best possible outcome within your budget range.
For instance, if you choose a mandala pattern, round diamonds are a suitable choice as they align perfectly with this type of composition.
However, for a landscape, square diamonds are more likely to be used. We aim to simplify diamond painting and provide only the highest-quality kits and supplies.
Whether you opt for round diamond beads or square diamond beads, you can rest assured that you will receive a top-notch product that enables you to create the most exquisite diamond paintings available on the market today.
This guarantees consistent quality and sharp renderings, sparing you the mistake of selecting the wrong size or shape of diamond. From our many surveys, the majority of customers had no preference for diamond shape.
In general, customers make their purchases based on the artwork they prefer and trust in our design process.
With an array of unique diamond art kits to choose from, the possibilities are endless! However, you may want to try deciding which type of kit to use for your first attempt.
While both options are suitable for novice and experienced diamond painters, there are a few considerations that can aid in your decision-making process.
Square and round diamonds: What sets them apart?
Advantages of round diamonds
1. Ease and enjoyment
Round diamonds are slightly easier and quicker to pick up and place on the adhesive canvas, as they do not require precise alignment.
Rounds can be placed without worrying about their orientation, as they possess the same shape all around.
They are also slightly larger than square diamonds, measuring 2.8 mm.
Consequently, fewer round diamonds are needed to complete a diamond painting compared to completing a square diamond painting. This can expedite the completion of your work.
If you are new to the world of diamond painting, many more experienced crafters find that starting with round drills is the best approach.
2. Greater brilliance
Round diamonds are renowned for their heightened brilliance, particularly in larger paintings. A round diamond painting is the ideal choice when you aim to create a bright and captivating artwork that is bound to turn heads for all the right reasons.
3. Cross-stitch appearance
Due to the alignment of the holes, the finished canvas resembles a splendid cross-stitch project. This makes round diamonds an excellent choice for simpler designs where fine details are not a primary consideration.
4. Space between the drills
Upon completing a full square diamond painting, there is no space between the drills. If the canvas flexes, there is no room for the beads to move or adjust. Instead, they may pop, which can be quite frustrating.
To ensure they remain in place, you may need to use a roller to press down more firmly on the diamonds.
With round diamonds, there is room for movement.
The slight space between each bead makes them less likely to detach. This is one of the significant benefits of round drills, especially for new diamond painters.
Advantages of square diamonds
1. Precise fit
On the other hand, square diamonds of the square variety fit snugly without gaps. This creates a more authentic mosaic appearance without any parts of the canvas showing through.
Please note that square drills need to be placed more precisely than round beads. If you're not careful, they won't align to form straight lines.
2. The click
Another feature that people seem to genuinely appreciate about square diamonds is the satisfying "click" they emit when you are near completion and filling in the gaps.
The sensation has been likened to the feeling of popping bubble wrap, which is undoubtedly one of life's greatest pleasures! Moreover, the "click" lets you know that your drilling holes are perfectly aligned and correctly spaced.
Being square is chic!
3. More intricate details
Diamond painting kits with square tips tend to feature more intricate patterns than those with round diamonds. Square diamond beads, measuring 2.5mm, are smaller than their round counterparts.
This allows for more detail per square centimeter, which is why they are preferred for creating more complex artworks.
Feel free to read the complete article to make your choice between round and square diamonds.
AB Diamond painting kit
Aurora borealis accent diamonds (AB)
Some kits include accent diamonds called Aurora Borealis (AB), a particularly special type of drill. These come in both round and square forms, allowing you to enjoy their beauty regardless of your diamond preference.
A favorite among diamond painters, AB accent diamonds possess an iridescent coating that mimics the glow of the northern lights. These magical AB diamonds elevate your diamond painting experience to a higher level.
Regular square and round diamond drills already possess significant brilliance, but the coating of AB diamonds adds extra sparkle to certain parts of your canvas.
AB diamonds typically share the same DMC numbers as their non-AB counterparts, making it easy to match colors to specific points.
Electric diamonds
Electric diamonds are an exciting new type of drill that you can find in some diamond painting kits. These exclusive diamonds are designed to add a metallic gleam to a design and come in both round and square forms.
They begin as ordinary resin diamonds; however, an additional coating is applied to their surface, altering their appearance.
Special equipment is required to apply this coating, but it's worth it—a diamond bead with a brilliant metallic look.
While other types of drills have considerable shine, these metallic diamonds take your artworks to the next level and add an intriguing touch to the designs in which they are used.
Fairy dust diamonds
"Fairy Dust" diamonds are a type of drill known for their unique and captivating appearance, as their shiny, iridescent surface resembles fairy dust or glitter.
Made from resin like traditional diamond drills, they are coated with a special pearlescent coloring to give them an eye-catching look.
This coating reflects light in various ways, creating a sparkling effect that adds a touch of magic to any diamond painting project.
Fairy Dust Diamonds bring depth and visual interest to a diamond embroidery. Due to their unique features, they make paintings more realistic and three-dimensional.
Fluorescent diamonds
These diamonds are a highly popular type of diamond painting drill with a fun feature: they glow in the dark.
Like other types of drills, they are made from resin.
However, different elements are mixed to create an upper layer that allows them to absorb light during the day and emit a soft glow in the dark at night.
They are particularly desirable for projects with night scenes and dark images, as they can create a luminous and mystical effect when the lights are off.
For optimal results with glowing diamonds, expose them to bright light for a while before turning off the lights to enjoy the glowing effect.
Iridescent diamonds
Iridescent diamonds offer a striking crystalline appearance. These drills are semi-transparent and feature a prismatic shimmer akin to a rainbow.
Different metallic compounds are combined into a glossy layer, which is then bonded to the diamonds. While iridescent diamonds resemble Aurora Borealis (AB) diamonds, they are more transparent and resemble crystals.
Iridescent diamonds are perfect for adding a touch of magic and sparkle to any diamond painting project.
They infuse fantasy into any design and are particularly popular for artwork featuring mermaids, unicorns, rainbows, and other fantastical themes.
Find out everything you need to know about the DMC color code.
Diamond painting tips for beginners
When you first open your diamond embroidery kit, take a few minutes to organize your diamonds. Consider "prepping" your canvas to make it easier—this simple step will facilitate the entire process.
You may also consider investing in a high-quality enhanced diamond applicator. While there's nothing wrong with the joys of diamond painting kits, opting for a more ergonomic one makes the process more enjoyable, especially for larger canvases.
Multi-position diamond pens are also available, allowing you to place more than one drill at a time. Having the right diamond painting tools will allow you to start enjoying your new hobby much sooner.
If you're working with square drills, ensure you have a ruler handy to keep them straight. This is much easier than trying to remove and replace diamonds after realizing you placed them awkwardly on the canvas!
When using round beads, take particular care to protect the canvas from dust and pet hair. Even after your artwork is complete, the spaces between the round diamonds are perfect spots for debris to accumulate.
As you can see, there are many different styles of diamonds, but there are also many different styles of diamond paintings. Find out how to choose your diamond art kit.
Final thoughts
Diamond painting has taken the world by storm because it's fun, addictive, and easy enough for everyone to do.
Whether you're buying your first kit or looking for new ones to add to your wishlist, we recommend not getting too attached to diamond shapes.
Both round and square drills allow you to create stunning artwork without any previous skills or talents. And when you order your kit from Lartera, you can be certain it's designed in the most suitable shape for the image you've chosen.
If you're new to this creative hobby, try both methods to see which one you prefer. You might develop a clear preference for one over the other, or you might enjoy both equally.
Either way, when you start with a kit featuring a design you love, you're sure to enjoy your new hobby!
Take a look at our full selection of high-quality, large-size 5D diamond painting kits today.