A blinged microphone is pure showbiz, whether you are belting out karaoke, hosting a Eurovision party or live streaming your sets. This guide shows you how to rhinestone a microphone using Serinity flatback crystals, our own Austrian-made crystals, in a blend of blues that catches every camera flash and stage light.
Mixing four shades, from deep sapphire to shimmering blue zircon, gives the cover depth so it reads as more than a single block of colour. The method is the same forgiving glue-and-place routine used for any curved object, with one extra rule: keep the crystals clear of the grille and any switches so the mic still works. Here is everything you need, then the full steps.
Project at a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate, full coverage on a curved handle takes patience
- Time: A few hours of placing, plus drying between sections
- Crystals used: Serinity non-hotfix flatbacks SS16 in Sapphire, Sapphire AB, Blue Zircon Shimmer and Royal Blue DeLite
- Technique: Full-coverage flatback embellishment with resin glue
What you'll need
Around 250 of each shade, 1000 SS16 in total, covered the microphone body shown, so scale to yours. Add the crystals and glue to your cart from the cards below. The syringe, picker and tray are reusable across every project, so browse the full range of tools and accessories to build your kit.
- Your own microphone, clean and dryYour base; embellish the body, not the grille1
- Serinity Non-Hotfix Flatbacks SS16, SapphireDeep blue base250
- Serinity Non-Hotfix Flatbacks SS16, Sapphire ABIridescent blue250
- Serinity Non-Hotfix Flatbacks SS16, Blue Zircon ShimmerBright shimmer accent250
- Serinity Non-Hotfix Flatbacks SS16, Royal Blue DeLiteVivid blue highlight250
- Sandpaper, 120 grit or higherKeying a shiny surface1
- E6000 Plus GlueBonding the crystals, dries clear1
- Wax Crystal Picker ToolPicking and placing1
- Magic Sorting TrayHolding the four shades while you work1
Shop this project
Everything you need for this build. Quantities are a guide, so adjust to your design.
From £2.12 Excl. VAT
From £2.97 Excl. VAT
From £2.12 Excl. VAT
From £2.92 Excl. VAT
£9.53 Excl. VAT
£1.95 Excl. VAT
£5.12 Excl. VAT
£3.43 Excl. VAT
Not sure how many crystals you need? Use our Crystal Calculator to estimate by surface area.
How to rhinestone a microphone
Step 1: Prepare the surface
Make sure the microphone is clean, then gently sand the areas you want to embellish until they are no longer shiny. This creates a key for the glue to grip. Keep well clear of the grille mesh and any switches or ports, as crystals there can affect how the mic sounds and works.
Step 2: Plan your design
Plot your design onto the body first, drawing lightly on the surface if it helps. Decide where each of the four blues sits, for example a graduated blend from deep Sapphire up to bright Blue Zircon Shimmer, before you commit any glue.
Step 3: Prepare and apply the glue
Part fill the Crystal FX syringe with E6000 Plus and cover a small section of the microphone with a thin layer. Leave it about 10 minutes to turn tacky. Each glued section gives you roughly an hour of working time and takes 24 hours to fully cure.
Step 4: Place the crystals
Tip the shades into the Magic Sorting Tray and place them with the wax picker tool. When filling a shape, start with the outline and work inwards, keeping the crystals tight together with no gaps for a solid, professional finish.
Step 5: Work around in sections
Move around the microphone in small sections, letting each one set before turning to the next. On a three-dimensional object, gravity can pull crystals out of place before the glue grabs, so setting as you go keeps the pattern crisp. Leave it 24 hours to cure fully before use.
Frequently asked questions
How do you rhinestone a microphone?
Sand the body to a key, then pipe a thin layer of resin glue over a small section, let it turn tacky, and place flatback crystals with a wax picker tool. Start from the outline of your design and work in. Set each section before moving on, and keep crystals off the grille so the mic still works.
How many crystals do you need to cover a microphone?
The microphone shown used around 1000 SS16 flatbacks, 250 each of four blue shades, for the body only. Microphone size and how much you cover change this, so use the Crystal Calculator on our website to estimate quantities by surface area and stone size before you buy.
What glue works best for crystals on a microphone?
A flexible, clear-drying resin glue such as E6000 Plus. Sand shiny plastic or metal first so the glue grips, apply it in thin layers through a fine syringe tip, and cure for 24 hours. Keep glue and crystals away from the grille, switches and battery compartment.
Can you bling a microphone and still use it?
Yes, as long as you embellish only the handle and body. Leave the grille mesh at the top clear so sound reaches the capsule unobstructed, and avoid any switches, ports or the battery cover. Crystallising just the body keeps the microphone fully functional while looking spectacular.
What are Serinity crystals?
Serinity is our own Austrian-made crystal brand, offering the same precision-cut flatbacks in a wide range of colours and effects. This project uses effect finishes like Sapphire AB, Blue Zircon Shimmer and Royal Blue DeLite, which add iridescence and depth that plain crystals do not have.
Can I use different colours?
Absolutely. We chose a blue blend, but Serinity flatbacks come in dozens of shades and effects, so you can match a theme, a flag or an outfit. Try a single colour for a sleek look, a rainbow for Pride or Eurovision, or metallic tones for a classic stage-ready finish.
Make it your own
Once you can cover a microphone, the same technique works on stands, headphones or any prop in your setup. Try an ombre, a two-tone spiral, or your initials in a contrast shade. For more coverage makes, see how to crystallise a champagne bottle or a glass vase, or explore the full Craft Studio.
