With summer here, it is the perfect time to give your accessories a fresh, elegant update. Instead of buying a new case for the season, this step-by-step guide shows you how to make a pearl phone case using Swarovski pearl cabochons, raising a flat printed design into a tactile, three-dimensional pearl finish.
It is a beginner-friendly project and a lovely one to do with friends over the summer. You can adjust the pearl sizes and colours to suit your case and personal style. Here is everything you need, then the full method.
Project at a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Time: 1 to 2 hours, plus at least 12 hours to cure
- Crystals used: Swarovski 2080/4 pearl cabochons in Crystal Nacre, sizes SS10, SS16 and SS20
- Best for: A hard plastic case, ideally one with a printed pearl or floral design to follow
Watch the tutorial
See this project come together. Watch the full make below, then scroll down for the kit list and step-by-step instructions.
What you'll need
Quantities suit an accent design over a printed case, so scale them to your case and coverage. Add the pearls, glue and tools to your cart from the cards below. The picker, tweezers and trays are reusable across every project, so browse the full range of tools and accessories to build your kit.
- Phone case of your choiceIdeally with a printed pearl design to follow1
- Swarovski 2080/4 Pearl Cabochon SS10, Crystal NacreSmaller pearls50
- Swarovski 2080/4 Pearl Cabochon SS16, Crystal NacreMid-size pearls50
- Swarovski 2080/4 Pearl Cabochon SS20, Crystal NacreStatement pearls20
- E6000 Plus Glue KitAdhesive with syringe1
- Crystal Wax Picker PenPlacing pearls1
- Bent TweezersPositioning pearls1
- Magic Sorting TrayOrganising sizes3
Shop this project
Everything you need for this build. Quantities are a guide, so adjust to your design.
From £1.81 Excl. VAT
£1.95 Excl. VAT
£5.12 Excl. VAT
£9.53 Excl. VAT
Not sure how many crystals you need? Use our Crystal Calculator to estimate by surface area.
How to make a pearl phone case
Step 1: Gather your supplies and prepare the glue
Tip your pearls into the sorting trays, keeping each size separate so they are easy to reach. Make sure the tip of your wax picker is sharp, which makes lifting each pearl easier, then load your E6000 glue into the syringe ready to apply.
Step 2: Map out your pearl sizes
Before gluing, work out which size sits where. The aim is to choose pearls that neatly cover the printed pearls in your case design, so place a few of each size dry, without glue, to check the fit. Mapping this out first avoids mistakes and keeps the finished case looking clean.
Step 3: Glue and place the pearls
Place a small dot of glue on each spot, taking care not to use too much, as excess glue is very visible around a pearl. Then set each pearl with the wax picker, using the bent tweezers to nudge it into position. Work the larger pearls first, then fill in with the smaller sizes.
Step 4: Inspect and adjust
Before the glue sets, look over your work and reposition any pearls that need it. It is far easier to adjust now than once the glue has dried.
Step 5: Leave to cure
With every pearl in place, leave the case to cure for at least 12 hours before using it, so the bond is fully set.
Shop genuine Swarovski
As an Authorised Swarovski Distribution Partner, Bluestreak Crystals supplies the complete genuine range of Swarovski pearls and crystals, sourced directly from Austria with consistent batch quality and reliable colour matching, so your pearls match perfectly from one order to the next.
Frequently asked questions
How do you put pearls on a phone case?
Plan your sizes first by laying the pearls dry over the design, then glue them on a few at a time with E6000, pressing each one into place with a wax picker. Set the larger pearls first, fill around them with smaller sizes, then leave it to cure fully.
What are pearl cabochons?
They are flat-backed pearls, rounded and domed on top with a flat base, which makes them sit neatly on a flat surface like a phone case. We used Swarovski 2080/4 cabochons in Crystal Nacre, Swarovski's pearl coating, for a smooth, even pearl finish.
Are these hotfix or glue-on pearls?
The 2080/4 pearl cabochons are a hotfix product, but a phone case is heat-sensitive plastic, so you should never iron or heat-set them onto it. Instead, glue them on with E6000, which bonds to the flat pearl backs and to the case without any heat.
What glue works best for pearls on a phone case?
A flexible, industrial-strength adhesive such as E6000. It grips the flat pearl backs and the plastic case and flexes with everyday handling. Use a small dot per pearl, as too much will be visible around the edge of each one and spoil the finish.
How many pearls do I need for a phone case?
An accent design like this uses roughly 120 pearls across SS10, SS16 and SS20, while full coverage needs more. It depends on your case and pattern, so use our Crystal Calculator to estimate by area before you buy.
Will the pearls stay on the phone case?
Yes, with a flexible glue like E6000 and a full cure of at least 12 hours. A phone case is handled all day, so press each pearl in firmly and keep a few spares to replace any that work loose over time.
Make it your own
Pearls give a softer, more elegant look than cut crystals, but the method is the same for either. For a sparkly rhinestone version, see our guide to bedazzling a phone case with rhinestones, or for another gadget make try our bedazzled Xbox controller. You can also explore the full Craft Studio.
