Holographic and Raised Dice: How They're Made and How to Care for Them

Quick answer

Holographic dice get their shifting color from a thin foil layer or iridescent coating, while raised dice have numbers or symbols physically embossed above the surface. Both finishes are more delicate than plain plastic or metal, so clean them with a soft cloth and mild soap, store them separately, and never soak or scrub them. A five-minute routine after each session prevents most wear.

Holographic and raised dice look incredible on the table, but their finishes sit on the surface, not inside the material. That means the same handling that keeps a standard acrylic set looking new can actually dull a foil layer or chip raised paint. The good news: you do not need special equipment, just a few habits that take seconds to build.

This guide covers how these finishes are made, what that means for everyday handling, and a step-by-step care routine you can run after any game night. It also flags the mistakes that cause the most damage, so you can protect specialty dice without babying them.

How holographic and raised finishes are made

Holographic dice usually start as a standard resin or acrylic core. A thin holographic foil or iridescent film is applied to the surface or embedded just under a clear topcoat. The shifting rainbow effect comes from microscopic ridges in that film, which bend light at different angles. Because the effect lives in a layer that is only microns thick, anything abrasive can scratch through it and leave a permanent dull spot.

Raised dice take a different route. The numbers or symbols are molded to sit above the base surface, then hand-painted or coated. That raised profile gives great tactile feedback for players who like to feel the number before reading it, but it also creates edges that can catch on fabric, chip against other dice, or wear down where thumbs rub most. Both finishes reward gentle handling and punish rough storage.

• Holographic effect = thin foil or film layer; scratches are permanent.
• Raised numbers = physical relief; edges and paint are the wear points.
• Neither finish is damaged by normal rolling on a mat, only by abrasion and chemicals.

Why gemstone dice finishes need different care

Gemstone dice are cut and polished from natural stone, so their finish is the stone itself rather than a coating. That makes them more resistant to surface scratches than holographic foil, but they can still cloud, chip, or lose their polish if they knock against harder materials. The same care principles apply: keep them separate, clean them gently, and avoid anything that etches the surface.

If you own both holographic and gemstone sets, treat the gemstone dice as the heavier, more forgiving option and the holographic dice as the delicate one. Store them in separate compartments so the harder stone never rubs against the softer foil. A leather dice bag or a divided dice case solves this in one step.

• Gemstone dice are solid stone; there is no foil layer to scratch off.
• The risk is chipping or dulling from impacts, not chemical breakdown.
• Never store gemstone and holographic dice loose in the same pouch.

Everyday handling habits that prevent damage

Most finish damage happens outside the roll: in the bag, on a bare table, or in a pocket with keys. A dice tray or mat absorbs impact and keeps dice from sliding across grit. Before you roll, check the surface for crumbs or sand; those particles act like sandpaper under a die. After the game, do not toss dice into a shared bag. Give holographic and raised sets their own soft-lined compartment.

Your hands matter too. Oils and sunscreen transfer to raised paint and can soften it over time, while grit on fingers can scratch foil. A quick wipe with a dry microfiber cloth after handling removes most of it. If you eat while playing, wash and dry your hands before picking up specialty dice.

• Roll on a mat or tray, never directly on stone or wood tables.
• Keep a dry microfiber cloth in your game bag for quick wipes.
• Wash hands after snacks; oils and salt are hard on raised paint.

Cleaning holographic and raised dice safely

When your dice need more than a dry wipe, use lukewarm water with a drop of mild dish soap. Dip a soft cloth or soft-bristle toothbrush into the suds, wring it out so it is barely damp, and wipe each face. For raised numbers, brush along the raised edges, not across them, so you do not lift paint. Rinse by wiping with a clean damp cloth, then dry immediately with a soft towel.

Never soak dice in water, never use alcohol, acetone, or household cleaners, and never put them in a dishwasher or ultrasonic cleaner. Those methods can cloud resin, lift foil, or dissolve paint. If a raised number is already chipped, cleaning will not restore it; set that die aside as a display piece rather than risking further damage.

• Use only lukewarm water and a drop of mild soap.
• Wring the cloth so it is damp, not dripping.
• Dry immediately; standing water is the enemy of foil and paint.

Storage that protects the finish

Storage is where most long-term wear happens. A soft-lined dice bag or a compartmented dice case keeps each die from rubbing against others. If you use a leather bag, make sure the interior is smooth and free of grit; turn it inside out and shake it out monthly. For raised dice, a case with individual slots is better than a loose pouch because it stops the raised numbers from pressing into neighbors.

Keep specialty dice out of direct sunlight and away from heat. UV light can fade holographic films over months, and heat can soften resin or paint. A drawer or a closed case in a cool room is ideal. If you display dice, rotate them occasionally so one face does not take all the light.

• Separate compartments beat a single shared pouch.
• Shake out fabric bags monthly to remove grit.
• Store away from windows and heat vents.

Your five-step specialty dice care routine

1. 1. Clear the rolling surface: Before anyone rolls, wipe the table or tray with a dry cloth to remove crumbs, sand, or grit. Those particles are the number one cause of scratches on holographic foil and raised paint. Checkpoint: run a finger across the surface. If you feel anything gritty, wipe again.
2. 2. Roll on a mat or tray: Always roll specialty dice onto a padded surface. Bare wood, stone, and glass tables transfer impact directly to the die and can chip raised edges or crack gemstone corners. Mistake to avoid: rolling directly onto a hard table because it is closer.
3. 3. Wipe after handling: After each session, wipe each die with a dry microfiber cloth to remove skin oils, salt, and dust. This takes seconds and prevents buildup that dulls foil and softens paint. Checkpoint: the cloth should show no visible residue when you finish.
4. 4. Deep clean only when needed: For sticky residue, use a barely damp cloth with a drop of mild dish soap. Wipe, then dry immediately. Never soak, never use alcohol or acetone, and never put dice in a dishwasher. Mistake to avoid: using hand sanitizer or glass cleaner, which can cloud resin and lift foil.
5. 5. Store separately and cool: Place holographic and raised dice in their own soft-lined compartment, away from harder gemstone or metal dice. Keep the case out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources. Checkpoint: shake the case gently. If you hear dice knocking together, add a divider or a second bag.

Products that fit this care routine

• White Howlite - Boulder® 30mm Gemstone Dice: This 30mm boulder die is cut from white howlite, a calming stone, and comes with a font color option. Its large, smooth stone surface is easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth, and the font color option lets you choose a finish that hides handling marks better.
• Amazonite - 7 Piece RPG Set Gemstone Dice: Made from amazonite, a semi-precious microcline stone known for its bluish-green hue and balancing properties. A full gemstone set benefits from the same gentle cleaning and separate storage described here; the stone polish can dull if it rubs against harder dice.
• Aquamarine Cats Eye - Pebble RPG Set Glass Dice: These glass dice use thin optic glass fibers spun into a pearlescent, opaque finish for a precise cut. The glass surface is smoother than natural stone but can still scratch, so keep it in a soft compartment and avoid abrasive cloths.
• Night Black - Black Plushie Boulder 170mm D20 Plush Soft Dice: A 170mm plush D20 in deep black with gold-filled numbers, sized for cuddling or display. A plush die never needs washing with soap and water; spot-clean it with a damp cloth and let it air dry to protect the gold numbers.

Holographic and raised dice are built to be seen and touched, not sealed in a display case. With a mat, a quick wipe, and separate storage, you can keep the finish sharp through years of campaign nights. Start with step one tonight and your specialty dice will thank you.