Your rhinestone collar is built to be worn, loved, and shown off. The Biothane® base is waterproof and handles real life. The crystals are individually hand-placed into rimsets and sealed with resin backing — a non-standard step that adds meaningful durability over mass-produced alternatives.
Does your collar also include HTV or UV-printed artwork? Check out our Artwork Collar Care Guide for care tips on both.
With straightforward care, these collars last. Here’s everything you need to know.
How the Crystals are Applied
Every rhinestone in a Showstopper Collection collar is individually placed by hand into a metal rimset. Before placing the rhinestone by hand, the back of each stone setting is sealed with resin — this is not a step most rhinestone collar makers take, and it’s the reason our stones stay put through everyday wear.
The result is a collar that handles normal daily life well. It is not, however, indestructible fine jewelry — and caring for it accordingly is the difference between a collar that sparkles for years and one that shows wear prematurely.
Everyday Cleaning
For regular cleaning, run the collar under lukewarm water and use a soft-bristle toothbrush to gently scrub around the stones. This removes dirt, oils, and buildup from the settings without putting stress on the stones themselves. Dry gently with a non-shedding microfiber cloth.
What to avoid:
- Harsh chemical cleaners, bleach, or alcohol — these can dull the stones and degrade the settings over time
- Abrasive scrubbing pads or stiff brushes directly on the rhinestone areas
- Extended soaking of the stone areas (the Biothane® base can be fully submerged — rinse the rhinestone areas gently rather than soaking)
- Hot water — lukewarm only
Dog coat oils:
Natural oils from your dog’s coat accumulate in the settings over time. Regular gentle cleaning — even just a weekly rinse — keeps buildup from hardening in the rimsets and dulling the stones’ reflective surface.
Swimming and Water Activities
The Biothane® base is completely waterproof. Short swims in pools, lakes, and rivers are fine.
After swimming, rinse the collar thoroughly under clean water, gently scrub around the stones with a soft toothbrush if needed, gently dry the hardware with a soft, non-shedding microfiber cloth, and allow the collar to air dry completely before storing. This removes chlorine, minerals, and debris that can settle in the rimsets over time.
For dock divers and regular swimmers: Rinse after every session. The hardware and stones hold up well with consistent rinsing. Prolonged soaking without rinsing is what causes accelerated wear on the settings.
For ocean swimming: One additional note — if your collar includes color-changing crystals, extended natural saltwater exposure can affect the special coating that creates the color-changing effect. Standard crystals are not affected. If your dog swims in the ocean regularly, contact us before ordering and we’ll design around this.
Hardware Care
Silver (nickel-coated) hardware is the most durable option for water-active dogs. It rinses clean and holds up well over time.
Black powder-coated hardware requires a little extra attention. The black finish is a coating over steel — with regular friction and water exposure, it can wear at contact points over time, revealing the silver steel underneath. This is cosmetic and doesn’t affect function, but it’s worth knowing. After water activities, rinse and dry the hardware promptly. If your dog swims regularly and the black look matters to you, silver hardware looks the best long-term.
What Causes Rhinestone Loss (and How to Prevent It)
Normal everyday wear — walks, runs, cuddles, rolling in grass — should not cause rhinestone loss. The resin-backed rimset construction is specifically designed for durability through regular use.
What can cause stones to dislodge over time:
- Tie-outs — constant lateral tension and friction against the ground
- Crating — the collar can catch and drag against crate bars
- Rough play or wrestling with other dogs where the collar is grabbed and pulled
- Repeated neck scratching against hard surfaces — a dog who aggressively scratches their collar against pavement or concrete will eventually dislodge stones
- Unsupervised wear — we can’t see what’s happening, and neither can you
Think of this collar the way you’d think about a piece of fine jewelry. You wear it, you love it, you take it off before things get rough.
How to Wear It
Do wear it for:
- Daily walks and outdoor activities
- Events, photos, training, competitions
- Dock diving and swimming (with rinsing after)
- Regular everyday life
Remove it for:
- Crating
- Tie-outs
- Rough play and wrestling with other dogs
- Unsupervised time
Check the collar regularly — look at the hardware, check the stones, make sure the settings look secure. Just like you’d glance at a piece of jewelry you love.
Storage
Store your collar flat or loosely coiled when not in use — not crumpled, folded tightly, or piled under other items. A flat surface or a small hook keeps the settings from being pressed at odd angles between wears.
Quick Reference
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Rinse after swimming with clean water | Soak for extended periods |
| Clean with soft toothbrush and mild soap | Use bleach, alcohol, or harsh cleaners |
| Dry hardware after water exposure | Leave wet hardware without rinsing |
| Store flat or loosely coiled | Crumple or fold tightly for storage |
| Remove for crating and rough play | Use for tie-outs |
| Check stones regularly | Ignore signs of wear |
Questions before you order? Contact us — we’re happy to help you choose the right collar for your dog’s lifestyle.
Ready to find your collar? Shop the Showstopper Collection.
Rhinestone Collar Warranty
Rhinestone collars are covered for one year against stone loss resulting from defective setting or application. Every stone is individually hand-placed into a rimset and sealed with resin backing before being hand placed — if a stone comes loose because of a failure in that process during normal everyday wear, send it back and we’ll fix it.
To submit a claim, the collar must be returned to us for inspection at the customer’s expense. We’ll assess whether the stone loss is consistent with a setting defect or with wear outside the guidelines on this page and communicate our findings promptly.
Please note that rhinestones are glass crystals. They can scratch, cloud, or break from impact with hard surfaces — this is the nature of the material, not a defect in the collar. This warranty does not cover:
- Stones lost or damaged from impact with dog nails, dog teeth, concrete, pavement, or hard objects
- Scratched or clouded stones from abrasive surfaces
- Stone loss from tie-out use
- Damage from a dog or other animal chewing the collar
- Color loss or damage from prolonged natural saltwater exposure (standard crystals are not affected — see water care section above)
- Damage from harsh chemicals or flea collar exposure
- Stones lost during unsupervised wear or rough play
This warranty assumes the collar has been cared for in accordance with our Rhinestone Collar Care Guide. Failure to follow care instructions may void coverage.
To start a claim, contact us at jenni@corascaninecollective.com with your order number and a photo of the issue before shipping anything back.