Shimmer Dust Vs. Luster Dust

Decorating By jstritt Updated 9 Sep 2006 , 12:41am by kellyh57

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jstritt Posted 8 Sep 2006 , 1:32am
post #1 of 10

Is there a difference b/w shimmer dust and luster dust?

9 replies
ntertayneme Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
ntertayneme Posted 8 Sep 2006 , 12:40pm
post #2 of 10

LUSTER (LUSTRE) DUSTS
Give a metallic sheen. Available in a huge range of colors. Not water soluble.
If they contain Iron Blue or Chromium Oxide, they must be labeled for Decorative use only. In some countries they are considered edible, others not. Mix with clear alcohol or oil based flavorings or use dry.

SPARKLE DUSTS
Just like lustre dusts, but larger grain size. Same rule, mix with clear alcohol or oil based flavorings or use dry. Used more in the dry form for sprinkling on cakes. Can be crushed into a smaller grain size.

PEARL DUSTS
Pearl finish with a hint of color. These are water soluble and can be mixed with water, alcohol, or oil based flavorings or used dry. Can be used in addition to other finishes.

PETAL DUSTS
Various colors to give the most realistic finish to your flowers, these have a matte finish. Can be used in combination with other finishes. For instance, brushed or painted on and then lustre or pearl dusts applied. Petal dusts are water soluble and can be mixed with water; alcohol or oil based flavorings or used dry.


I'm not sure about shimmer dust, but this is some information I found on the others .. hth icon_smile.gif

FancyLayne23 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
FancyLayne23 Posted 8 Sep 2006 , 1:35pm
post #3 of 10

Wilton Elegant Shimmer Dust can be used to brighten fondant and icing designs with edible glistening color!

Shimmer dusts are fine grains of edible glitter. You can sprinkle it on dry or paint area to be highlighted with water, then apply sparkling dust.

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imartsy Posted 8 Sep 2006 , 1:55pm
post #4 of 10

I'm not sure but I can tell you NOT to use Wilton's dusts..... the cake sparkles are okay but the dusts - gold, silver, pearl and then there's 3 other colors like pink, yellow, and something - I tried using the pearl and it wouldn't even stick to my fondant..... and it didn't show up at all when some of it did stick. I was told to get "super pearl dust" and that worked a TON better. I don't know what you're supposed to do w/ the Wilton dusts b/c they seemed really crappy to me. Good thing they were fairly cheap...... I don't feel like i wasted a TON of money on them....

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FancyLayne23 Posted 8 Sep 2006 , 2:07pm
post #5 of 10

I'm with imartsy I don't like the shimmer dust wilton has either. I only use the ones I have as sprinkles to add a sparkle and only do that cause I have them.

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jstritt Posted 8 Sep 2006 , 2:12pm
post #6 of 10

Thank you for your input. I bought the Wilton shimmer dust, and I tried to paint it on fondant, and all it did was clump up. It looked terrible. Then I tried sprinkling it directly onto the fondant, and it wouldn't stick and didn't even have much shimmer to it at all. I now know to buy lustre dust.

I agree that a vast majority of Wilton products are not that great. I'm not sure why they are so popular. I guess they have a really good marketing department.

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FancyLayne23 Posted 8 Sep 2006 , 2:20pm
post #7 of 10

I suggest Luster dust to paint on fondant, petal dust for adding color to flowers, and sparkle/glitter dust for the sprinkling to give a sparkle. Good luck.

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imartsy Posted 8 Sep 2006 , 3:39pm
post #8 of 10

I think Wilton products are popular only b/c they are more easily available.... if Michael's, Jo-Ann's, Hobby Lobby, etc. started offering OTHER cake products - I'm sure Wilton would be in trouble..... except that Wilton is also cheap b/c they are so mass produced. But perhaps if other cake suppliers were able to mass produce and mass release/sell in those types of stores - their prices would go down as well..... ah we can only dream right? When a fondant mold or something will go from $25.00 to $10? icon_smile.gif Or when cutters and luster dusts, etc. will go down in price? Probably not gonna happen... icon_smile.gif

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cakesbykitty Posted 9 Sep 2006 , 12:28am
post #9 of 10

icon_biggrin.gif one of the reasons i became a wilton teacher is for the 40% discount! icon_biggrin.gificon_biggrin.gificon_biggrin.gif

kellyh57 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
kellyh57 Posted 9 Sep 2006 , 12:41am
post #10 of 10
Quote:
Quote:

If they contain Iron Blue or Chromium Oxide, they must be labeled for Decorative use only. In some countries they are considered edible, others not.




That's the difference. Luster dusts are not edible, but shimmer dust is 100% safe to eat. Wilton will not sell un-edible decorating products. Just because it's non-toxic or just in small amounts, doesn't mean you are safe. I wouldn't want to be the one getting sued for someone getting sick off of my luster dust covered cake. Same thing with dragees...I'm amazed at how many people never knew they weren't supposed to eat them. I wonder how many people actually brush or cut off the luster dust!

Kelly

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