Swarovski Chaton & Fancy Stones

Swarovski chatons and fancy stones are precision-cut jewellery stones manufactured in Austria, also known as pointed back crystals or table diamonds. Available in round chatons, rivolis and a wide range of shaped fancy stones across 90+ colours and effects, they are used in prong and bezel settings, bead embroidery, clay and resin work, and cup chain wherever a pointed or raised back stone is required for maximum depth of colour and brilliance. Bluestreak Crystals stocks the complete range across all shapes, sizes and colours, with same or next working day dispatch on the majority of orders.

Bluestreak Crystals: Authorised Swarovski Distribution Partner

Bluestreak Crystals is an official Swarovski Authorised Distribution Partner, one of a very small number of approved suppliers worldwide permitted to sell the complete genuine range of Swarovski chatons and fancy stones. Every stone is directly sourced from Swarovski's Austrian manufacturing facility and quality-assured.

Swarovski supplies its chatons and fancy stones exclusively to approved brands, businesses and professional designers. If you haven't yet applied, complete our online application to request access. Once approved, you'll have full access to the complete range. If you're not yet eligible, we also stock Serinity chatons and round stones (Austrian-made, no approval needed) and Preciosa chatons and fancy stones (Czech-made, no approval needed) as high-quality alternatives.

What Are Swarovski Chatons?

Swarovski chatons, also known as round stones, pointed back crystals or table diamonds, are multi-faceted glass crystal stones with a fully pointed back and a flat or slightly domed front table. The pointed back concentrates light refraction through the crystal from below, creating exceptional depth of colour and brilliance that flatback stones cannot achieve. Chatons are available in two articles: the 1028 Xilion and the 1088 Xirius, in sizes measured in PP and SS units and across 90+ colours and effects.

Jewellers use chatons primarily in prong or bezel settings where the back is enclosed in metal, in clay and resin embedding where the stone sits in a shaped cavity, and in bead embroidery where embroiderers stitch seed beads around them to create a bezel. Foiled chatons act as a mirror behind the stone, maximising light reflection in opaque settings. Unfoiled versions allow light to pass through from both sides, suited to transparent applications and certain embroidery techniques.

What Are Swarovski Fancy Stones?

Swarovski fancy stones are non-round shaped jewellery stones, built on the same pointed or elevated back construction as chatons but available in a wide range of shapes including navette, oval, pear, square, cushion, octagon, heart, triangle and specialty cuts. They are used as focal pieces in shaped metal settings, as accent stones in multi-stone jewellery designs, and in bead embroidery and resin work where a distinctive shape adds visual interest beyond the classic round profile.

What Are Rivolis?

Rivolis are a specific type of round fancy stone with a pointed top and pointed back, producing exceptionally deep, multi-dimensional sparkle. Unlike standard chatons, the double-pointed profile generates shifting light refraction from every angle as the piece moves. Rivolis are used primarily in bead embroidery bezels and metal bezel settings.

Chatons vs Flatback Crystals: Which Should You Choose?

The key difference is the back profile and how the stone is fixed. Flatback crystals have a flat reverse and are applied directly to surfaces using hotfix adhesive, jewellery glue or stitching, ideal for fabric, glass, metal, nails and any surface where a flush, bonded application is needed. Chatons and fancy stones have a pointed or elevated back that requires a prong, bezel or embedded cavity to hold the stone securely, allowing the faceted crown to protrude for maximum light refraction.

Both types are used together in professional jewellery and embellishment work. Flatbacks provide surface coverage and sparkle; chatons and fancy stones provide depth, dimensionality and the intense brilliance associated with fine jewellery.

Sizes and Measurements

Swarovski measures chatons in PP (pearl plate) and SS (stone size) units. PP sizes run from PP14 (approximately 2.0mm) through to PP32 (approximately 4.05mm) for smaller stones, with SS sizes extending from SS17 through to SS39 and above for larger pieces. Fancy stones are measured in millimetres by their longest dimension. Each product listing includes both the size code and the millimetre equivalent to help you select the right size for your setting or design.

Why Choose Swarovski Chatons and Fancy Stones?

Swarovski chatons and fancy stones are produced using proprietary Austrian cutting technology, engineered to deliver consistent facet alignment, reliable fit in metal settings and maximum brilliance across every batch. The availability of both foiled and unfoiled versions makes them suitable for the full range of setting and embroidery techniques. Consistent sizing across all batches is essential for prong settings where dimensional accuracy directly affects fit, making them the professional standard for bespoke jewellery, couture embellishment and bead embroidery worldwide. All stones are lead-free and REACH-compliant since 2012.

What Are Swarovski Chatons and Fancy Stones Used For?

Jewellers set Swarovski chatons and fancy stones in prong and bezel settings for bespoke jewellery including rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. In bead embroidery, embroiderers stitch seed beads around each stone to create a bezel directly on fabric. In metal clay and resin jewellery, stones are embedded into shaped cavities during the forming process. In couture and fashion work, dimensional stones add depth beyond flatback applications. Cup chain, which sets small chatons into continuous linked metal cups, is widely used for border and trim embellishment on garments and accessories.

Complete Your Designs

Swarovski chatons and fancy stones work beautifully alongside Swarovski flatback crystals for mixed-method designs that combine the depth of set stones with the surface coverage of flatbacks. For beaded designs, pair with Swarovski crystal beads and Swarovski crystal pearls to create jewellery with multiple textures and visual interest. For pendant focal pieces, explore Swarovski crystal pendants. Browse our full range of jewellery making tools and adhesives, including metal settings, prong settings, bezels and adhesives.

Why Buy Swarovski Chatons and Fancy Stones from Bluestreak?

Authorised distributor — guaranteed genuine Swarovski chatons and fancy stones
Complete range in stock — all shapes, sizes and colours available to approved customers
Fast dispatch — majority of orders shipped same or next working day
Worldwide shipping — reliable international delivery with tracked options
Colour support — Swarovski colour charts and a sample service
Alternatives available — if you don't yet qualify for Swarovski access, we stock Serinity chatons and round stones (Austrian-made) and Preciosa chatons and fancy stones (Czech-made) with no approval required

Browse the full Swarovski chatons and fancy stones range, or apply for access if you haven't already done so.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Swarovski chatons? ▾

Swarovski chatons are multi-faceted round glass crystal stones with a fully pointed back and a faceted crown on the front. Also known as round stones, pointed back crystals or table diamonds, they are used in prong and bezel settings, bead embroidery and clay or resin embedding wherever maximum depth of colour and brilliance is required. The two main Swarovski chaton articles are the 1028 Xilion and the 1088 Xirius, available in a comprehensive size range and 70+ colours.

What is the difference between chatons and flatback crystals? ▾

The key difference is the back profile and the required application method. Chatons have a fully pointed back and must be held in a metal setting, embedded in a cavity or stitched around using bead embroidery techniques. Flatback crystals have a flat reverse and are applied directly to surfaces using hotfix adhesive, jewellery glue or stitching. Chatons create greater depth of colour and dimensional brilliance; flatbacks provide surface coverage and are faster to apply across a wider range of surfaces.

What is the difference between chatons and fancy stones? ▾

Chatons are round pointed back stones. Fancy stones are the same pointed or elevated back construction as chatons but in non-round shapes, including navette, oval, pear, square, cushion, octagon, heart, triangle and specialty cuts. Both are set using prong settings, bezels or embedded cavities. Rivolis are a specific type of fancy stone that are round but doubly pointed, with a pointed top as well as a pointed back, creating a distinctive deep multi-dimensional sparkle used primarily in bead embroidery bezels.

What is the difference between foiled and unfoiled chatons? ▾

Foiled chatons have a gold or silver metallic coating applied to the pointed back facets, which acts as a mirror to maximise light reflection within the setting regardless of what material the stone sits against. Foiled stones are the most common choice for metal settings and opaque cavities. Unfoiled chatons allow light to pass through the stone from both sides, they appear less brilliant in opaque settings but are preferred in certain bead embroidery techniques and transparent applications where light transmission through the stone is part of the design effect.

How are Swarovski chatons used in bead embroidery? ▾

In bead embroidery, chatons and rivolis are set by stitching a bezel of seed beads around the perimeter of the stone to hold it in place on fabric without a metal setting. A tight ring of seed beads is stitched through the fabric around the stone, with subsequent rows tightening over the edge of the stone's crown to hold it securely. Preciosa and Serinity chatons can also be used in bead embroidery using the same technique, and all brands share the same sizing conventions for easy substitution.

Do I need to apply to buy Swarovski chatons and fancy stones? ▾

Yes. Swarovski chatons and fancy stones are available exclusively to approved brands, businesses and professional designers. You can complete our online application to request access. If you are not yet approved, we stock Serinity chatons and round stones, Austrian-made premium stones available immediately with no approval required, and Preciosa chatons and fancy stones as high-quality Czech alternatives.

What sizes do Swarovski chatons come in? ▾

Swarovski chatons are measured in PP (pearl plate) and SS (stone size) units. PP sizes range from PP14 (approximately 2.0mm) through to PP32 (approximately 4.05mm) for smaller chatons. SS sizes extend from SS17 through to SS39 and above for larger stones. Each product listing includes both the size code and the millimetre equivalent. The most popular sizes for jewellery making and bead embroidery are PP24 (approximately 3.1mm) through to SS29 (approximately 6.25mm).

Can Swarovski chatons be used in cup chain? ▾

Yes. Cup chain is a continuous metal chain of small linked cups, each sized to hold one chaton. Chatons are pressed into each cup and the metal prongs close over the stone's girdle to hold it securely. Cup chain is one of the most popular applications for small chatons, widely used for border embellishment on bridal and occasion wear, dance costumes, accessories and bags. Swarovski cup chain uses chatons in specific SS sizes matched to the cup size, browse our tools and accessories range for cup chain and cup chain applicator tools.