Diamond Art UK: A Complete Guide for Getting Started

What is diamond art (or crystal art)?

Diamond art, often called crystal art by UK crafters, involves placing small facetted resin gems onto a numbered, adhesive canvas to gradually reveal a full design. Each symbol on the canvas corresponds to a colour of gem, so there is no guesswork involved, just matching numbers as you go.

The canvas itself is reinforced, similar to a lightweight board, which keeps it flat and easy to work on whether it is spread across a table or propped up on a stand.

What is included in a kit

• Numbered adhesive canvas. Reinforced canvas printed with the design and colour symbols.
• Resin gems. High-refraction gems supplied with a small surplus for each colour.
• Applicator pen. Used to pick up and place each gem precisely on its symbol.
• Wax. Applied to the pen tip so gems stick securely when lifted.
• Sorting tray. Keeps different coloured gems organised while you work.

Getting started: the basic steps

Working on a canvas is straightforward once you understand the rhythm. Peel back a small section of the plastic film covering the adhesive canvas, press a little wax onto the applicator pen tip, and pick up gems one at a time to place them on their matching numbered symbol.

Most crafters work in small sections rather than trying to cover the whole canvas at once, which keeps the adhesive fresh and makes it far easier to stay accurate as you go.

Round or square gems: which to choose

Shipping to the UK: what to expect

Since our kits ship internationally from Spain, UK orders typically take around one to two weeks to arrive, rather than the faster domestic Spanish delivery window. Shipping is free once an order reaches the equivalent of 100 dollars, and otherwise costs roughly the equivalent of 15 dollars.

Because deliveries cross an international border, some UK orders may be subject to customs handling or import charges depending on the value of the parcel and current regulations. We cannot predict or control what, if anything, will be charged on a specific order, so it is worth checking current UK customs guidance if you want to plan ahead.

Framing and displaying your finished piece

Once the canvas is complete, most crafters choose to frame it or mount it onto a wall using a simple box frame that leaves a little depth around the raised, textured surface of the gems.

A finished diamond art piece works well in almost any room, but it is worth avoiding direct, constant sunlight, which can dull the gems' shine over time.

Choosing your first design

If you are new to the craft, our designs such as Polka Martini and Pretty in Pink are a friendly starting point, with clear colour blocks that make the early stages of a canvas satisfying rather than overwhelming.

Once you are comfortable with the process, moving on to designs with more intricate colour transitions, like Lucky Girls, is a natural next step as your confidence with the applicator pen grows.