Diamond Painting 101: Beginner’s Guide to Gem Art

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Daniela Kretchmer
Updated: May 21, 2024
Craft Supplies, Crystals

This guide to diamond painting provides all the information you need to get started, including different techniques and how to use various diamond painting tools.

I had seen diamond painting kits in craft stores and in social ads, but hadn’t paid much attention to it. I’m not sure why, but I regret not trying it out sooner as I’m officially obsessed! If you haven’t tried it, I cannot recommend it enough – it’s a meditative activity that creates a fun shimmering piece of art in the end.

There are a bunch of different styles to choose from, but all follow the same basic principles I lay out here. So if you want to get started with diamond painting, or just curious about what it is, keep reading! I’ll cover everything you need to know – the tools you will need, how to do diamond painting step by step, and some tips and tricks along the way.

Note: Some links in this post may contain affiliate links, which means at no cost to you, I may earn a commission.

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What is Diamond Painting?

Diamond painting is a type of craft that combines the concept of paint-by-numbers and mosaics. It involves placing tiny plastic “diamonds” onto a numbered and color-coded adhesive canvas. The plastic “diamonds” are cut in a way that make them appear to shimmer, hence the name “diamond” painting.

It can also be referred to as gem painting, diamond art, and diamond dotz. However, since it does not involve painting nor diamonds, a better and more accurate name would be something like shimmer mosaic by numbers.

This popular craft offers a unique blend of creativity and relaxation, providing crafters with a therapeutic way to unwind while creating beautiful pieces of artwork.

Don’t forget to pin it so you can easily come back to it later!

Materials Needed for Diamond Painting

Most get started with diamond painting using a diamond painting kit. However, you can create your own designs and get individual colors if you’d like so I’ve linked to those below. I personally have only ever used kits so that’s what I’m going to focus on. In all kits you’ll find the following:

The plastic gems (Amazon)
Gem pen (Amazon)
Gem tray (Amazon)
Wax (Amazon)

Then, depending on the kit you may additionally find the following:

Bags for the gems (Amazon)
Tweezers
Multi-gem applicators (Amazon)
Magnet
Parchment paper
Sticker labels

14PCS Diamond Painting Pen Accessories Tools Set, Exquisite Stainless Steel Metal Tips, Ergonomic Art Drill and 6 Glue Clay, Comfort Grip and, Faster Drilling (14PCS-Blue)

15 Pack Diamond Art Painting Wax with Storage Box Full of Red Glue Clay Embroidery Accessories for Adults

benote Diamond Art Painting Accessories Tools, Diamond Art Tray Painting Large Capacity Diamond Rhinestone Plate Tray with Divider, Paint Brush, Shining Bags for DIY Art Craft

Where to Buy Diamond Painting Kits

Paint With Diamonds (Get 25% off with code ABCRAFTY)
Brass Tacks Kits
Amazon
Home Craftology
Diamond Art Club
Michael’s
ARTDOT (Get 10% off with code ABCRAFTY10)

DIAMOND ART CLUB Hogwarts Crest - FINE Oddities Diamond Painting Kit, Beige, 17" x 24" (43 cm x 61 cm)

Gem Painting Kit- Make Your Own Keychains- Diamond Art Painting by Numbers for Girls, Boys, Kids (Cactus)

UPINS 8Pcs Ocean Diamond Painting Art Coasters Kits with Holder, Diamond Art Non Slip Coaster Kits DIY with Holder Crafts for Adults Diamond Painting Kits Supplies for Christmas Gift

Video Example

This is the kit I used in the video if you want the same one.

How to Do Diamond Painting

Organize the Gems

The first thing you want to do when you get your kit is organize the gems if they’re not yet organized. The example I’ll be using is this Ravenclaw kit from Diamond Art Club.

Each color has a number associated with it so separate them out into each number.

Then use the provided bags to pour each color into its own bag.

And if you use a Diamond Art Club kit, some come with stickers so you can label them for easy reference.

Tip: If your kit does not come with labels, cut out the number from one of the packages and include it in the bag.

In some cases, the bags provided will not fit all of the colors so I like to use ziplock bags if necessary.

In some kits, like the kits from Home Craftology, the colors are already separated into their own bags making it super easy. The one I got is this cute mushroom house kit.

In some cases, you might get gems that aren’t the basic gem shape at all, such as with this Halloween keychain set. You’ll see this one also came with pearl-like gems.

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Prepare the Tool

Each kit will come with wax and diamond painting tool. Typically there will be a plastic coating to the wax so you want to peel it back and then insert the tip of the tool all the way through the wax. This will allow you to easily pick up the gems.

You can then set the tool aside.

Select the Color

All diamond paintings work like a paint by number, meaning each square or circle on the canvas has a number or symbol (and color) associated with it. There will also likely be a reference key on the side that shows what gem color this number corresponds to.

Note: In some cases the number may match the gem color, but often times that’s not the case.

Reference the section you want to start with and then pour some gems of that color into the trey. In my case I wanted to start in the bottom left corner so I selected the gem color associated with “2.”

Then peel back the plastic of the section you’re going to work on and use the tool to gently pick up one of the gems.

Tip: Give the gems a shake in the trey so they spread out and settle, making them easier to pick up.

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You’ll see when you pick up a gem, the flat side will be on the bottom while the tool is touching the shaped (faceted) side.

Then simply place the gem into the corresponding spot. Then repeat the process for each square.

Now in the case of these larger paintings, going one at a time when you’re working with a single color like this can be a pain, so there are easier ways to go about it.

That’s when the attachments come in! You can place them onto the other side of the diamond painting tool and they allow you to pick up multiple gems at once.

Typically they come in sizes from 3-8 gems so you can change them out depending on the section you’re working on. I personally leave the largest one on as I don’t want to continuously change out the attachments.

But the attachment works the same way – dip it into the wax and then select a row of gems.

Note: When using an attachment, it’s important the gems are clumped nicely together in the tray without any gaps.

After placing the row, you can use tweezers or the single end of the tool to adjust the gems to make sure they’re in the right place.

In some cases, however, you might not be able to use the multi-tool. For example with these Marvel stickers, they’re not in a perfect line nor are they evenly spaced. Therefore you might have do them one gem at a time.

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Diamond Painting Tips and Tricks

Let’s dive into some handy tips and tricks to enhance your diamond painting experience.

Use parchment paper to section off areas

A neat trick to help keep you focused and ensure areas you’re not working on will stay sticky is to use parchment paper. After peeling back the plastic, place the parchment paper on the exposed area that you’re not actively working on.

Use magnets to hold the plastic

Some kits will come with a set of magnets to hold back the plastic. Put a magnet on the back of the canvas and the other on the top to keep the plastic out of your way.

Use a roller to secure the gems

To ensure the gems are all down and stuck firmly to the canvas, you can use a roller like this one to push them down. I also will also brush my hand along the surface to see if I can feel any raised gems and go in with the gem tool and push them into place.

Work in sections

To avoid mixing up gem colors and keeping things organized, work in sections instead of bouncing around the canvas. This will also help you stay focused on one area at a time and make sure all gems are placed correctly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best way to store my diamond painting supplies?

The best way to store your diamond painting supplies is by using clear plastic storage containers or ziplock bags. This will keep your gems and tools organized and prevent them from getting lost or mixed up. You can also label the containers for easy identification.

How do I prevent my canvas from getting creased?

To prevent creases on your canvas, you can roll it up instead of folding it. Use a large tube or even a wrapping paper roll to gently roll the canvas around. You can also place heavy books on top of the rolled up canvas to flatten it out.

What do I do if I make a mistake on the diamond painting?

If you make a mistake on your diamond painting, don’t worry! You can gently remove the misplaced gem with tweezers and replace it with the correct one. If the adhesive has lost its stickiness, you can use a small dot of glue to secure the new gem in place. Alternatively, some kits come with extra gems in case of mistakes or loss during the process.

How long does it take to complete a diamond painting?

The time it takes to complete a diamond painting varies depending on the size and complexity of the design, as well as your own pace. For example, small projects such as coasters or keychains take me about 30 minutes. However, the large canvases such as the Ravenclaw one was over several months, working on it for an hour or so at a time. The key is to enjoy the process!

More Crafts to Try

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