Whether you are a DIY enthusiast or a professional jeweler, at some point, you will need glue to stick jewelry pieces together.
Bracelets, necklaces, or earrings all require bonding the parts with an adhesive. For your bonds to be durable and resistant, you have to use the best glue for jewelry. But which one should you use?
In this article, we will present you with a list of the 8 best adhesives for jewelry. After the list, you can learn a thing or two about jewelry and the adhesives used to bond it in our short guide.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Glue For Jewelry – 8 Reviews
Here is the list of the best glue for jewelry. We have picked 8 models that have all the properties that glue for jewelry should have.
All of the choices are strong, resistant, and dry clear. You can’t go wrong with any of them!
Our Pick
E6000 230010 Craft Adhesive
The US-made E6000 is our number 1 adhesive for jewelry! It works on so many materials, has tremendous strength, and leaves clean-looking results. It’s by far the best glue for jewelry repairing and making!
You won’t have to worry about the strength of the bond with this adhesive. Its structural strength is phenomenal, which makes it hold its bond extremely well. The joined jewelry parts will stay inseparable even when exposed to high pressure and movement.
This adhesive has excellent environmental resistance properties as well. It will withstand extreme temperatures easily and is waterproof. You can safely use this glue for jewelry that will be exposed to extreme conditions.
The application of this glue is a breeze. The thick viscosity of the adhesive makes it easy to glue beads, gems, pearls, and many other jewels. The glue won’t run or spill when applied, making the results mess-free.
Another feature of this glue that helps you get cleaner results is clear drying. The adhesive won’t leave any colors or ugly-looking residue when dry. Your jewelry will look neat and professional!
We really love the versatility of this crafts glue. We tried it and had no problem attaching jewels to fabric, wood, metal, or glass. The bond was rock solid and super resistant on every material we tried it on!
The E6000 adhesive is the perfect choice for gluing jewelry. It makes your projects resistant, durable, and professional-looking, no matter your experience!
G-S Hypo Cement For Jewelry
If you were curious about what kind of glue professional jewelers use, then this is your answer. The G-S Hypo Cement is designed specifically for jewelry use and does a fantastic job at gluing rhinestones, beads, pearls, and many more!
The cement makes a super-strong bond on jewelry that is both resistant and durable. You won’t have to worry about the accidental breaking of the bond with this glue!
When dried, this glue offers great water resistance. You can be sure that your jewelry work will stay intact even in the rain or in the shower!
The nozzle of the tube in which the glue comes in is designed for maximum precision. You can apply just the right amount of glue, even on the smallest parts, thanks to the slow dripping nozzle.
The glue drips in very small amounts and won’t make a mess. You will also save a lot of glue that might have been wasted.
The drying color of this glue is crystal clear. The joints will look tidy and won’t require painting or cause discoloration.
All in all, this is a glue you want to use if you take your projects seriously. The G-S Cement will bond superbly, dry clear, and make you confident that your jewelry will last a long, long time!
Liquid Fusion Clear Urethane Adhesive
The liquid fusion urethane glue is probably the best adhesive we tried for rhinestones. It works wonders on so many different materials and is overall a perfect glue for DIY jewelry crafts.
One of the things that set this glue apart from the competition is the clear drying and non-foaming property. Urethane-based glues like this one are known to have massive strength, but when it comes to aesthetics, they usually aren’t the best since they foam and leave ugly colors.
That isn’t the case with this glue since it leaves super clean results while having that extreme urethane strength. That means that your jewelry will have a professional clean look while having the highest structural strength and resistance.
We love the versatility of this glue. It can work on so many different materials like glass, metal, wood, and fabric. No material we tried made the bond weaker!
The glue is very easy to apply thanks to the high viscosity formula. The thick gel-like consistency of the glue makes it ideal for jewelry application since it doesn’t drip and has great flow-resistance. You can apply it to small rhinestones easily with no wastage of the glue or your time!
The glue has excellent UV-resisting properties while also being waterproof. It will resist any kind of extreme weather conditions!
Go for this glue if you got any kind of jewelry project, and you won’t be sorry for it!
Cyapro Cyanoacrylate Quick-Set Medium Adhesive
Cyanoacrylate adhesives, also known as superglues, work wonderfully on jewelry.
While they do a great job at bonding jewelry, you need to make sure to go for the high-grade models to ensure the longevity of the bond and its water resistance. And This Cyapro super glue certainly falls into a high-grade CA adhesive bracket!
The bonding properties of this adhesive are up to 3 times stronger than those of regular superglues. It was described, by many users, as a superglue on steroids. And that’s exactly what it is! You won’t have to worry about the breaking of the bond when using this glue.
The main advantage of this adhesive is the lighting fast drying time. The glue will cure in only 15 seconds! That kind of drying time will make you finish your projects much faster!
A common problem that is seen in superglues is the low viscosity, or in order words, thin consistency. They run, they spill, they make a mess. This glue, on the other hand, has a high viscosity and provides a much easier and cleaner application.
On top of that, it also dries clear and makes the bonds look really neat and tidy. You can expect fast and great-looking jewelry results with this adhesive!
Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy, .85 Ounce Syringe
The two-part epoxies are known as the strongest commercially available adhesives. They work on all kinds of surfaces and resist fluctuation in temperature and high moisture. They also work great on jewelry, and this gorilla epoxy especially!
The gorilla 2-part epoxy is much more suited for jewelry gluing than most of the other epoxies on the market. It’s more suited for bonding beads, pearls, and gems because of its unique properties.
Those properties include a quick and easy application, long enough open work time, and clear drying.
The special syringe system makes the usual pain of mixing the equal amount of resin and hardener as easy as pie. The two-syringe system dispenses uniform amounts of both components. That will save you a lot of time and actually make the epoxy stronger because of the right dosage.
The gorilla 2-part epoxy doesn’t set too fast like other epoxies and allows enough open working time to get the job done. The epoxy also dries clear, making it great for visible joints.
This epoxy performs superbly on different materials and surfaces. It’s one of the best adhesives for jewelry on metal, stones, or wood! You will have no problems using it for any kind of jewelry application!
We recommend using this epoxy on heavy-duty jewelry projects where you require massive strength and resistance. The tensile strength of this epoxy will be sufficient for any kind of material.
Bob Smith Industries BSI-157H Maxi Cure/Insta-Set Combo
If the drying speed and the quickest curing time are something you appreciate, then this CA glue and accelerator combo is the right choice for you! You can finish your jewelry projects as much as 3-4 times faster and still have professional-looking results!
This sets offers a full curing time of only 5 to 10 seconds! That means that the bond will achieve maximum strength and will be ready for use in under 10 seconds!
How is that possible, you may ask. Well, the trick here is the magic accelerator or activator that speeds up the drying time significantly. The polymerization process of the cyanoacrylate adhesive is accelerated as much as 10 times with the use of this spray accelerator.
That makes the glue dry much quicker than it naturally would and makes the full bond strength achievable almost instantaneously!
The strength of the bond here will not be sacrificed for the quick drying time. The bond will still be extra strong and resistant because of the high-grade Bob Smith CA adhesive. This glue makes the bond super strong and very resistant to moisture and extreme temperatures.
The adhesive dries clear and is suitable for use on a wide variety of materials. It bonds jewels to glass, stone, wood, metal, plastic, and much more.
You can benefit from this combo if you require lighting fast drying time and instant results. The bonds will be excellent on all types of jewels and will make you finish your project in no time!
Loctite Super Glue Gel Control
This is one of our favorite adhesives for jewelry that you can’t go wrong with. It ticks all the boxes and is affordable as well.
The gel consistency of this glue is what makes it excellent for application on rhinestones, pearls, and beads. The glue stays right where you want it to be, with no spillage occurring.
To add to its accurate application, Loctite has designed the little container with two buttons that you can press to squeeze the glue. This mechanism allows you to dispense glue in small and controlled amounts. This not only provides you with an accurate application but also saves you money since you use just as much glue as you need.
The strength of the glue is Loctite’s level of strength. It will hold no matter what! Extreme conditions won’t disturb the bond, and you can expect the parts to stay intact for a long, long time.
This is one of the most versatile adhesives we ever used. It sticks to just about everything you can think of. Porus or non-porous surfaces, plastic, glass, wood, metal, you name it, it can bond it!
The fast drying time allows you to finish your projects faster than with other adhesives. It takes this glue only 30-45 seconds to cure. The cured glue will be clear and transparent, leaving you with a neat-looking finish.
You can’t go wrong with Loctite. If you need to glue jewelry, go for it, and you won’t be sorry!
Insta-Cure Gap Filling Bob Smith Ind.
Bob Smith Industries are known to produce fast-drying CA adhesives of incredible strength. And this Insta-Cure is a quintessential Bob Smith superglue that is one of their best-sellers.
This glue has to be one of the strongest cyanoacrylate adhesives we ever tried. It holds its bond magnificently because of its high tensile strength. You won’t have to worry about the resistance of the bond and whether or not it will withstand movement and pressure.
The high viscosity is something that makes this glue very enjoyable to use. It goes and stays right where you want it to and provides clean and professional-looking results.
The glue dries clear, making your bonds transparent and neutral. No ugly residue will be visible with this adhesive.
The nozzle and the whole bottle are generally very well designed. The nozzle makes the application controlled and easy. The bottle itself is excellently designed to prevent clogging and drying of the glue when not in use. You will end up spending every single drop of this glue with no money wasted!
The drying time is the usual Bob Smith super quick curing time. It will set in only 15 seconds! If you wish to reduce the drying time even further and to ensure the strongest bond, you can use the accelerator with this super glue. You can find the accelerator on Amazon here.
Overall, this adhesive is a phenomenal choice for bonding jewelry. You can join rhinestones, beads, pearls, and gems as easy as pie with this little adhesive. Joined with an accelerator, it makes you finish your projects extremely fast while not sacrificing good results!
What To Look For When Choosing Glue For Jewelry
In this section, we will look at the features you should pay attention to when choosing glue for jewelry.
Strength
The strength of the glue will determine the longevity and resistance of your bonded jewelry parts.
It’s important to choose an adhesive that is not too weak so that you avoid easy breakage of the bond. It is also important not to choose an adhesive too strong since you might spend more than you need on such a glue.
Avoid PVA adhesives for their low strength and resistance bonds. They are not suited for jewelry and should be avoided.
Type of Glue
The main types of glue that we recommend are cyanoacrylate or super glue, epoxies, and jewelry cement.
Super Glue
Cyanoacrylate adhesives have a combination of high strength and quick drying time properties. They are ideal for bonding jewelry parts such as rhinestones and pearls.
They have a moderate tensile strength that is sufficient for most jewelry projects.
One of their main advantages is the ability to bond different materials successfully. You can bond wood, glass, PVC, leather, stone, metal, plexiglass, and many more.
The super glues have a much quicker drying time when compared to the other adhesives. Some models can cure in as little as 15 seconds.
Overall, CA adhesives are an excellent choice for gluing jewelry that requires moderate strength bonds and quick drying time.
Jewelry Cement
Jewelry cement is an adhesive specifically formulated to bond all kinds of jewelry with massive strength and durability.
As the name suggests, this adhesive is cement-based, and because of that, has massive structural strength. You can safely use this adhesive on any type of jewelry project, no matter if it’s a professional or DIY home craft.
These adhesives have excellent environmental resistance and can withstand moisture and extreme temperatures easily.
These adhesives are perfect for jewelry making but usually come with a hefty price tag. They are absolutely worth it if you’re having serious projects or just want the quality to be the highest possible.
Epoxy
Epoxies, just like jewelry cement, are most suited for heavy-duty projects that require high strength and resistance.
They are known as the strongest and most resistant adhesives commercially available.
Their main advantage is the massive tensile strength that usually goes over 5000 PSI.
They offer superb environmental resistance and can tolerate high and low temperatures with ease. Their water-resistance is excellent as well.
Epoxies can get a bit expensive and are hard to work with if you are a first-time user. They need some practice to get used to, but when you get comfortable working with them, you can bond anything you want!
Viscosity
Viscosity is the fluid’s ability to resist flowing. High viscosity adhesives feel thicker and stay in place easier while the low viscosity adhesives tend to run more and spill.
For small jewelry parts such as rhinestones and beads, we recommend using medium to high viscosity adhesive. You find the glue to be more obedient and less runny.
Low viscosity glues are good for their quick drying time. They are a solid choice when you don’t need much accuracy and are looking for the fastest curing time.
Versatility
Since jewelry making includes so many different materials, you will usually need a versatile adhesive that is capable of gluing different materials effectively.
Super glues are the number one choice in this category. They can glue basically anything you can think of and are a great choice if you work with a wide variety of materials.
Epoxies and jewelry cement can work on several materials as well, but not with the success rate of super glue.
Drying
Drying time and color are important factors to consider when choosing glue for jewelry.
Drying time king is the super glue. They can dry in only 5 seconds if paired with an accelerator.
Epoxies and cement take a bit more time to cure and should usually be left untroubled for around 24 hours.
The drying color of an adhesive is a very important feature in jewelry making. You always want a crystal clear drying color when bonding visible parts.
Many adhesives leave a gray, white, or tan residue when dry. Those should be avoided, as they usually expand as well, making the bond look messy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best glue for gluing jewelry?
There are several types of glue that work well for gluing jewelry. The choice will depend on your preference.
If you want quick drying times and solid strength, go for a high-grade super glue model.
If you require massive strength and resistance for a heavy-duty jewelry project, go with jewelry cement or an epoxy adhesive.
Is Gorilla Glue good for jewelry?
Yes, it is! It works great on jewelry and holds the bond excellently. The advantage of using gorilla glue super gel for jewelry is the quick drying time and the clear color of the dried adhesive.
Can you use super glue on jewelry?
Absolutely! But not any type of super glue is suitable for jewelry work. You need to use the high-grade, high viscosity models to ensure the strongest bond and easiest application.
Models like Loctite super glue gel control, Bob Smith insta-cure, and Rockler CA glue work wonders on jewelry!
Wrap Up
Gluing jewelry isn’t hard when you use an appropriate adhesive. CA, epoxy, and cement jewelry adhesives are all excellent choices for jewelry making and repair.
Remember, only choose high-grade models like the ones we reviewed in this article, and with them, you’ll ensure the most durable and professional results.
