What is The Difference Between 3D and 5D Diamond Painting?

Diamond painting is a hobby that is rapidly gaining popularity in many different types of crafting circles in places all over the world. If you have explored diamond painting at all, even just to do a quick Google search of the phrase “diamond painting” itself, you have likely been feeling a little overwhelmed about all the information out there. The terminology of diamond painting can be particularly confusing for those who are new to the craft. What on earth are drills? What comes in a diamond painting kit? What in the world is the difference between 3D and 5D, and what do those terms even mean?

When it comes to the last question, never fear. Below is the comprehensive guide to the difference between 3D and 5D drills (as well as what a drill is in the first place), and how to best utilize the different kinds depending on what kind of painting you are trying to produce. Read on to discover some clarity and learn more about this beautiful, relaxing form of art creation.

The Difference Between 3D and 5D Drills – and What Are Drills, Anyway?

If you have done even a cursory glancing over of the information out there about diamond painting, odds are pretty high you have run into the word “drills.” And you are likely feeling pretty confused about that experience. Drills? What are drills? Isn’t diamond painting about sticking tiny diamonds to pieces of canvas to create gorgeous pictures? No one said anything about drilling through stuff! But do not worry – “drills” in a diamond painting context do not refer to actual drills, and no one is going to be drilling through anything. Drills are simply the proper terminology for the diamonds themselves. They can also be referred to as gems, or stones. But when it comes to official diamond painting kits, you will see the diamonds/gems/stones described as drills.

Okay, so now you are more familiar with the concept of drills (and hopefully a little less freaked out about the whole idea). Now, what about this whole discussion of 3D vs. 5D drills? What is the difference, anyway? Although the terminology may sound complicated, the actual answer is quite simple. Drills are the diamonds, as mentioned above. They are typically tiny, about 2.5 millimeters long and 2.5 millimeters wide (for square drills, of course – round ones are roughly the same size, but the actual dimensions may be slightly different). Amongst square drills, you can either have 3D or 5D options. This number simply refers to the number of different facets on the drill’s surface. 3D drills have three facets on each side of the drill, for nine facets in total – three on each of the three sides. 5D drills have five facets on each of the sides, for fifteen facets in total. So the 3 and the 5 simply describe the number of facets per side of the drill. There is nothing more easy to understand than that!

When to Use 3D vs. 5D Drills

So now that you understand the difference between the two types of drills, you may be wondering why those differences exist. What is the point of employing a 3D drill in a particular part of your diamond painting as opposed to a 5D drill? Although the differences between the two types of drills are fairly simple, the impact of these differences is significant.

It may be easiest to compare the two different types of drills to actual diamonds and other gemstones in order to understand the differences between them. Think of 3D drills as similar to cubic zirconia gemstones. Cubic zirconia stones are beautiful and sparkly, and from a distance, they do not look any different than actual diamonds. Up close, however, you will see that the stone itself has less depth than a diamond would, and this smaller amount of complexity results in a stone that is not quite as sparkly. Actual diamonds, on the other hand, are much deeper and more complex, and as a result, they typically shine brighter than cubic zirconia stones can. The same concept holds true here in the difference between 3D and 5D drills. Because 3D drills have fewer facets than 5D drills, they also have less depth and, ultimately, less sparkle, similar to cubic zirconia stones as compared to diamonds. 5D drills, on the other hand, have a greater number of facets and therefore have a good deal more depth and shine. 5D drills are more equivalent to actual diamonds.

So, if 5D drills are prettier and more sparkly, why do 3D drills even exist at all? Wouldn’t every diamond painter want to use 5D drills all the time? It is true that 5D drills tend to be more eye-catching than 3D drills. But there are moments and styles of painting that are better encapsulated with 3D drills, believe it or not. As an example, it can be especially effective to use 3D and 5D drills in conjunction in the same painting, with the 5D drills used to highlight a particular component of the image that you want your viewers to pay more attention to. Let’s say you have a photo of your daughter getting engaged that you want to convert into a diamond painting. You could do the majority of the painting in 3D drills, but then use 5D drills specifically on the part of the painting that depicts the engagement ring. The balance of 3D and 5D drills in a painting is far more subtle than some diamond paintings you may have seen, where drills are used only on specific parts and the rest of the painting is simply a still image. The difference between 3D and 5D drills is much less apparent than that method, but you will still be able to make a part of your painting have some extra sparkle.

Hopefully the above information helped to demystify the conversation around drills, and particularly around the differences between 3D and 5D drills. Now that you are empowered with more knowledge, you can go out and start your new hobby and soon have beautiful paintings to showcase!