Can someone please explain usage, appearance and the how to of

1 Petal Dust

2 Luster Dust

3 Sparkle Dust

Thanks very much. I'd like to order some but am now totally confused on what to get

Petal dust is best to brush on dry onto things like leaves and flowers, or to use to tint fondant.

Luster dust is best to paint on a cake using lemon extract or clear alcohol, or to add shimmer to things like fondant pearls

Sparkle dust - not sure if you mean Disco type product, but you need to apply that to a wet surface like clear piping jelly

Petal dust is color that looks great when making flowers so you can shade them to look more real. It is a dull flat color like chalk. Can be dusted on dry or mixed to create at paint.

Luster dusts add a pearl like finish to the product alone with the color. I use it dry as well as mix it to paint colors.

The other is to add a bit of sparkle or glitter like look and needs to be added when icing is still wet.

Get some and try them out. I'm sure you will love them.

Joanne

Hi Lisa,
Perhaps you could have a look at this link

http://paylesscakedecor.com

That's what I was looking at. Wanted to order some stuff, but they don't describe it very well, and I just don't have enough experience.
Thanks

okay....the difference on the sparkle dust and the luster dust on that site looks to me to be simply a matter of the manufacturer.
It looks like CK products for the lusters.....or another company that I have downstairs.....but anyway, they look to be the same type product.
The petal dust the the flat colour like chalk to dust onto things like flowers.
There is nothing on there that is like the Disco that I and JoanneK were mentioning.
I hope that helps

oh by the way if you want to see what some of those lusters look like, I used them on my most recent cake in the gallery - the one I made in Colette Peters class...I used the Avocado, antique green, copper and oyster lusters - they are the same manufacturer as shown on that site

Awesome cake, thanks, it really helps to see something used. Where do you get the disco? And what is the difference?

Thanks!
Disco looks like glitter...you need to apply it to a wet surface. I get my stuff here at stores....I will have to try to remember who makes it...I think ECG (european cake gallery)

I tried yahoo search, no luck which cake of yours uses disco dust?

I have been looking at this post and am very interested flourglr, your cakes are amazing. Can you please tell me when you paint on your luster dusts on your cakes do you mix them with anything or do you just paint them straight on with a brush dry.

Thank you

Anna

Ok now I've found some descriptions
Luster Dust gives subtle color with a high sheen metallic-like finish. They may be used alone or mixed with similar colored matte dusts to create a lustrous sheen without lightening the color. Brushed on white, they exhibit color and a metallic-like sheen. For a deeper more intense color mix with Lemon Extract.

Petal Dusts contain only ingredients that are Non-Toxic and are ideal for use with gumpaste or rolled fondant. These dusts are not a food product and should not be considered as such.
Petal Dust is used to achieve deep hues with a matte finish. When brushed on petals of white gum paste flowers, a realistic effect is created. Mix with Lemon extract for painting, highlighting or deepening of colors.
Developed for the Cake Decorating Industry, Petal Dusts contain only ingredients that are Non-Toxic and are ideal for use with gumpaste or rolled fondant. Not Water soluble. Non toxic.

Pixie Dust for adding that special sparkle to your cakes. Also known as Fairy dust.

Pearl Dust is used to achieve a pearl like finish. When brushed on white gum paste flowers, a realistic effect is created. Mix with Lemon extract for painting, highlighting. Colors intensify when mixed with liquids. Can be mixed/applied with Pearl or Luster dusts for a variety of effects. Not Water soluble. Non toxic.

But now I've found a reference to shimmer dust. Luster Dusts and Shimmer Dusts are apparently the same, just different brands

Apperently you can make the dusts into a kind of paint
Tylose Paint:

1/4 teaspoon tylose powder
1 Tablespoon boiling water
Additional boiling water

Mix the above and let set (like gelatin). Add a bit more boiling water until it looks like pipng gel. You then thin it with boiling water. Add Dusting Powder to the mixture until an easily applied painting consistency is achieved.
Lemon Oil:
Lemon oil
Stir lemon, a drop at a time, into the dust until you reach the desired consistency. Your edible project will have a lemon flavor. You can also use vodka. Stir the alcohol, a drop at a time, into the dust until you reach the desired consistency .

I'm trying to get something to paint on or over a royal icing monogram to achieve almost a diamond look (60th Anniversary) What kind of dust should I use to achieve this???

Thanks!

silver highlighter or one of the pearl dusts like super pearl (depends if you want a silver or pearl like look) and you paint on with lemon extract

I would really rather it look more sparkly, like a diamond would be.

thank you  guys for all your replies.