Some diamond paintings sparkle.
Others seem to light up.
The difference isn't always the artwork, the number of colors or even the size of the canvas.
Sometimes, it's the diamonds themselves.
Diamond painting kits with special drills use selected effect diamonds alongside standard drills to create highlights, reflections and focal points that react differently to light.
But what actually makes them different?
And does having more special drills automatically make a diamond painting better?
Not necessarily.
EXPLORE HAND-RENDERED DIAMOND PAINTINGS →What Are Special Drills in Diamond Painting?
Special drills are diamonds with a finish, coating or material that creates a visual effect different from a standard drill.
Standard drills provide most of the colors and structure of a diamond painting. Special diamonds are generally used more selectively.
Used carefully, special drills can make selected areas appear brighter, richer or more dimensional as the light changes around the finished canvas.
Types of Special Diamond Painting Drills
What Are AB Drills?
AB stands for Aurora Borealis.
AB diamonds have an iridescent coating designed to reflect additional colors when light reaches their surface.
Depending on the viewing angle and surrounding light, the same drill can produce flashes of pink, blue, purple, green or gold.
What Are Fairy Dust Drills?
Fairy Dust-style drills create a finer, more delicate shimmering effect than the stronger iridescent look normally associated with AB drills.
Under normal lighting they can blend naturally into the surrounding colors, while changes in angle allow tiny sparkles to become visible across the surface.
What Are Crystal Drills?
Crystal-style drills typically have a translucent or jewel-like appearance that gives selected areas a different type of depth and reflection.
Depending on their color and finish, they can resemble tiny gemstones within the completed artwork.
What Are Metallic-Effect Drills?
Metallic-effect diamonds create a stronger reflective appearance that can imitate polished gold, silver or other metallic surfaces.
AB vs. Fairy Dust Drills: What's the Difference?
Both increase sparkle, but they don't create exactly the same visual effect.
AB Drills
Excellent when you want selected details to immediately catch the eye and produce stronger shifting reflections.
Fairy Dust
Ideal when sparkle should feel more naturally distributed through the artwork rather than concentrated in one intense highlight.
A fantasy night scene could use Fairy Dust throughout part of the sky and brighter AB drills around the strongest edge of the moon.
Do More Special Drills Mean a Better Diamond Painting?
This is one of the most important things to remember when comparing premium diamond painting kits.
It's tempting to see a kit advertising a large number of special diamonds and automatically assume that it must produce a better finished result.
A handful of carefully chosen special colors can sometimes create a stronger visual effect than many effect drills distributed without a clear purpose.
Special drills should enhance the composition — not overwhelm it.
Strategic Special Drill Placement
The most effective special diamonds tend to follow the lighting, focal points and visual hierarchy of the original artwork.
Through parts of the night sky or fabric.
Around the moon and strongest magical highlights.
Inside gemstones or magical accessories.
On gold jewelry or metallic decorative details.
Now every effect has a visual purpose instead of becoming random sparkle.
Special Drills in Fantasy Diamond Painting Kits
Fantasy artwork is particularly suited to special-effect diamonds because fantasy illustrations frequently contain things that are supposed to glow.
Changing reflections and additional sparkle can help these elements stand apart from the standard drills around them.
Special Drills in Gothic Diamond Painting Kits
Dark artwork can benefit just as much from special diamonds.
In fact, strong contrast can make a carefully placed reflective drill appear even brighter.
Special Drills in Floral Diamond Paintings
Flowers offer another excellent opportunity for selective sparkle.
Rather than covering an entire flower with special diamonds, selected effects can highlight:
The result is a flower that changes subtly as the completed canvas moves through different lighting.
Round vs. Square Special Drills
Special effects can be incorporated into different drill styles, depending on the kit and the particular effect being used.
Round Drills
Generally easier and quicker to place, with more visible space around individual drills for a sparkling appearance.
Square Drills
Sit closely together and can integrate effect drills while maintaining a tightly packed mosaic-style surface.
Neither option is universally better — choose the overall crafting experience you enjoy most.
Should Beginners Choose Diamond Painting Kits with Special Drills?
Special diamonds don't change the basic diamond painting technique.
Some symbols simply correspond to special-effect diamonds instead of standard drills.
In fact, these sections can be particularly satisfying because the additional sparkle becomes noticeable very quickly.
How to Choose a Diamond Painting Kit with Special Drills
Don't judge a kit solely by the number printed beside “special diamonds”.
1. Love the Artwork
You're going to spend many hours looking at it. Artwork should always come first.
2. Check the Size
Detailed artwork generally needs more room to preserve small visual elements.
3. Check the Effects
Look for information about AB, Dust, Crystal or other effect drills when available.
4. Consider Placement
Thoughtful placement matters more than simply chasing the largest number of special colors.
5. Choose Your Drill Shape
Choose Squares or Rounds according to the placement experience and finish you prefer.
Diamond Painting Kits with Premium Special Drills
Many AxeHouseCraft designs include special-effect diamonds selected to add extra sparkle and detail to specific areas of the finished artwork.
Instead of thinking of them simply as “more sparkle,” think of special diamonds as part of the composition: a moon should glow, a crystal should shimmer and a magical highlight should naturally attract the eye.
EXPLORE THE HAND-RENDERED ATELIER →Hand-Rendered Diamond Paintings to Explore
Looking for your next project? Explore carefully refined Hand-Rendered designs created with attention to cleaner shapes, clearer details and intentional color placement.
VIEW THE FULL HAND-RENDERED COLLECTION →Sunflower Whiskers | Hand-Rendered
A warm, whimsical Hand-Rendered design featuring two curious cats among golden sunflowers, teal leaves and dreamy crescent-moon details.
VIEW SUNFLOWER WHISKERS →Haunted Twilight Manor | Hand Rendered
A cozy-spooky Hand-Rendered scene with a glowing haunted manor, crescent moon, bats, autumn leaves, gravestones and a friendly little ghost.
VIEW HAUNTED TWILIGHT MANOR →Velvet Bite | Hand Rendered
A dark, glamorous Hand-Rendered design combining deep violet lips, vampire fangs, a crescent moon and rich autumn details.
VIEW VELVET BITE →Discover the Latest Hand-Rendered Releases
The Hand-Rendered Atelier continues to grow with new designs. Browse the complete collection to see every currently available Hand-Rendered Diamond Painting.
EXPLORE THE HAND-RENDERED ATELIER →Frequently Asked Questions
Special diamond painting drills explained.
What are special drills in diamond painting?
Special drills are diamonds designed with a different coating, finish or visual effect from standard drills. They are generally used to create highlights, reflections, sparkle or focal details within a diamond painting.
What does AB mean in diamond painting?
AB stands for Aurora Borealis. AB drills feature an iridescent coating that reflects additional colors depending on the light and viewing angle.
What are Fairy Dust drills?
Fairy Dust-style drills create a fine shimmering appearance that is generally softer than the stronger iridescent effect associated with AB drills.
Are AB drills better than Fairy Dust drills?
Neither is inherently better. AB drills usually create stronger iridescent highlights, while Fairy Dust produces a softer shimmer. The best effect depends on the artwork and where the drills are placed.
Are Crystal drills the same as AB drills?
No. Crystal-style drills generally create a more translucent or jewel-like appearance, while AB drills are known for their iridescent surface effect.
Do more special drills mean a better diamond painting kit?
Not necessarily. Strategic placement is usually more important than simply having a large number of special-effect colors.
Can beginners use special drills?
Yes. Special drills use the same basic placement technique as standard diamond painting drills, so they are completely suitable for beginners.
Can special drills be square or round?
Special effects may be available in different drill formats depending on the particular kit, manufacturer and type of effect.
Where should special drills be used?
They are particularly effective around natural focal points such as moonlight, jewelry, stars, magical effects, water reflections, flowers, eyes and other illuminated details.
Where can I buy diamond painting kits with special drills?
AxeHouseCraft offers diamond painting kits across fantasy, gothic, seasonal and other styles, with selected designs featuring Premium Special Drills. Explore the Hand-Rendered Atelier here →
Choose Sparkle With a Purpose
The most beautiful special drills aren't necessarily the ones that shine the brightest.
They're the ones that shine in the right place.
AB diamonds can create dramatic highlights. Fairy Dust can introduce delicate shimmer. Crystal effects can make tiny details resemble gemstones. Metallic finishes can bring decorative elements to life.
But ultimately, all of them have the same purpose: to enhance the artwork rather than compete with it.
Ready for a Little Extra Sparkle?
Explore AxeHouseCraft diamond painting kits and discover detailed artwork, premium effects and projects designed to make every crafting session feel special.
EXPLORE THE HAND-RENDERED ATELIER READ THE LARGE DIAMOND PAINTING GUIDECraft Your Dreams into Reality!