Best Material for Custom Dice: Acrylic vs Resin vs Metal vs Gemstone
There is no single best dice material — it depends on your goal. Acrylic is best for affordable, uniform, high-volume runs. Resin is best for expressive collector sets with swirls and inclusions. Metal is best for heft and a premium feel. Gemstone is best for natural, one-of-a-kind sets and the crystal market, and it uniquely starts at just 10 sets. Match the material to your price point and audience, not the other way around.
Choosing a dice material is the first real decision in a custom project, and it shapes cost, looks, durability, and minimum order quantity. Here is a straight comparison of the four materials we make, followed by a simple way to decide.
Acrylic dice
Acrylic is moulded or cut for uniform, repeatable sets at low cost. It gives clean, consistent colour and translucency, resists scratches, and is the go-to for large runs, gaming lines, and giveaways. MOQ is typically around 200 sets. Choose acrylic when price and colour consistency matter most.
Resin dice
Resin is hand-poured and cured, which unlocks galaxy swirls, suspended glitter, real inclusions, colour splits, and sharp-edge (faceted) shapes. It costs more than acrylic and shows more variation set to set, which is exactly what collectors want. MOQ is typically around 200 sets. Choose resin for premium and limited-edition lines.
Metal dice
Metal dice — zinc alloy, brass, or copper — are heavy, durable, and feel premium in the hand. They take deep, crisp engraving and a wide range of plating and enamel finishes. They cost more and have a satisfying weight, but a full metal set is heavier to ship. MOQ is typically from around 100 sets. Choose metal for a substantial, high-end product.
Gemstone dice
Gemstone dice are cut from real natural stone — amethyst, obsidian, tiger eye, clear quartz, and more — so every set is unique. They carry crystal associations that matter to the divination and metaphysical market, and they photograph beautifully. Natural stone can chip if dropped, so harder stones and rounded edges suit rolling. Uniquely, in-stock gemstone dice start at just 10 sets. Choose gemstone for natural, collector, and crystal-market lines.
Which material should you choose?
- Lowest cost and high volume — acrylic.
- Expressive, collector-grade effects — resin.
- Weight and premium feel — metal.
- Natural stone and the crystal market — gemstone.
- Many brands run two tiers (e.g. an affordable acrylic line plus a premium resin or gemstone line) to cover more of the market.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best material for custom dice?
It depends on your goal: acrylic for affordable high-volume runs, resin for collector effects, metal for weight and a premium feel, and gemstone for natural, one-of-a-kind sets and the crystal market.
Which dice material is most durable?
Metal is the most durable and impact-resistant. Acrylic is hard and scratch-resistant. Resin is durable but sharp edges can wear. Natural gemstone is beautiful but can chip if dropped on a hard surface.
Which material has the lowest MOQ?
Gemstone dice have the lowest entry point, with in-stock sets starting at 10. Metal typically starts around 100 sets, and acrylic and resin around 200.
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