Inclusion Dice Buying Guide: How to Choose Sets With Objects Inside

Quick answer

Inclusion dice are resin dice with decorative objects, swirls, or shimmer suspended inside the plastic. Buy them for looks and table presence first, then match the set to how you actually roll: full-sized 16mm sets for everyday play, minis for travel, and gemstone or glass sets only if you will roll on a padded surface.

Inclusion dice earn their place at the table by looking different every time you pick them up. A swirl of color, a tiny suspended shape, or a shimmering effect inside clear resin turns a normal roll into a small piece of show-and-tell.

This buying guide focuses on what actually changes your decision: size, material, finish, and how much protection the dice need. If you have ever wondered what are inclusion dice and whether they are worth the upgrade, the rules below will help you choose a set you will still enjoy after the novelty wears off.

What are inclusion dice, and what is actually inside them?

Inclusion dice are dice cast from resin with decorative elements suspended inside the material rather than printed on the surface. Those elements can be color swirls, glitter, shimmer effects, or small objects positioned to catch light as the die tumbles. Because the inclusions sit inside the resin, they cannot rub off the way a painted design can, and each die in a set may look slightly different.

The trade-off is consistency. A resin inclusion set is made by hand in batches, so the exact placement of swirls or objects varies from die to die and from set to set. If you need every d20 to look identical, buy a solid-color set instead. If you want a set that feels personal and a little unpredictable, inclusions are the point.

• Check whether the listing describes the inclusion type, such as color swirls or shimmer effects, before you buy.
• Expect small visual differences between dice in the same set; that is normal for resin inclusions.

Match the set to how you roll

Full-sized 16mm polyhedral sets are the default for tabletop play. They are easy to read across a table, feel substantial in the hand, and work for most RPGs that use the standard seven-dice spread. A set like Eternal Teal/Black 16mm Resin Poly Set gives you that standard footprint with a blended resin and glitter look, which is a practical first inclusion purchase.

If you mostly play on the move, size matters more than sparkle. Mini dice fit in a pocket or a small pouch and are easier to carry to conventions, cafes, and travel games. The trade-off is readability: smaller numbers are harder to see across a table, and minis can be fiddly for players with larger hands or low vision.

• Choose 16mm for home tables and long campaigns.
• Choose 10mm minis for travel kits, convention bags, and spare sets.

Resin, gemstone, and glass: pick your material by risk

Most inclusion dice are resin, which is lightweight, durable enough for regular play, and available at lower prices. Resin handles normal table use well, including rolling on a mat or tray. Heavier materials like gemstone or zircon glass look and feel more premium, but they are also more likely to chip or scratch if they land on a hard surface.

That risk is manageable, not disqualifying. If you want a gemstone set, plan to roll it on a padded surface and store it in its case between sessions. If you want a set you can toss into a bag without a second thought, resin is the safer pick.

• Resin: best for everyday rolling and travel.
• Gemstone and glass: best for display, gifts, and padded-surface play.

Readability, finish, and table fit

Inclusion dice often use light or metallic numbers over a busy interior. That looks great in photos but can slow down play if the contrast is weak. Before buying, ask yourself whether you can read the highest number on the d20 at arm's length. If not, the set may become a display piece rather than a playing piece.

Finish matters too. Shimmer and glitter inclusions catch overhead light and can make numbers harder to read in a dim room, while darker or more uniform inclusions tend to be easier on the eyes. If your group plays under warm or low lighting, favor sets with clear number contrast over maximum sparkle.

• Test readability at arm's length, not up close.
• Dim rooms favor higher-contrast numbers over heavy shimmer.

Protect the dice and the table

Inclusion dice are still dice, and they will get rolled. A padded dice tray does two jobs: it keeps heavy or glass dice from chipping on a hard table, and it keeps rolls contained so dice do not end up on the floor. This matters even more when you are gaming outdoors, where a dropped die can disappear into grass or gravel.

If you are buying a gemstone or glass set, treat a padded tray as part of the purchase rather than an optional extra. If you are buying resin, a tray is still a good habit, especially for travel and convention play.

• Roll gemstone and glass dice on padded surfaces to reduce chipping.
• Use a tray outdoors so dice stay contained and visible.

Decision rules for buying inclusion dice

• Buy for the look, not the stats: Inclusion dice do not roll differently from other dice of the same shape and material. Choose the set whose interior you want to see every session, because that is what you are paying for. If two sets roll the same, pick the one you would still enjoy after 50 sessions.
• Set a size rule before you shop: 16mm sets are the default for home tables; 10mm minis are for pockets, travel, and conventions. Mixing sizes in one bag makes it harder to grab the right die quickly. One size per kit keeps play fast.
• Match material to your rolling surface: Resin tolerates normal tables and mats. Gemstone and zircon glass should be rolled on padded surfaces, so budget for a tray if you choose those materials. No padded surface, no glass or gemstone set.
• Check number contrast in your usual lighting: Busy inclusions and heavy shimmer can hide numbers in dim rooms. If your group plays under low light, favor sets with clear contrast between numbers and interior. If you cannot read the d20 at arm's length, it is a display piece.
• Decide whether it is a gift or a player: Birthstone and themed sets make strong gifts because they carry meaning. Everyday resin sets make stronger players because they are easy to replace and easy to roll anywhere. Gift sets get a case and a tray; player sets get a bag and go.

Product facts that change the decision

• Velvet Dice Tray With Leather Backing: Each tray measures 10"x10" when unfolded, folds flat to fit in a folder or backpack, and snaps into shape when you are ready to game. A flat-folding 10-inch tray protects both your dice and the table, and it packs small enough for conventions or outdoor sessions.
• Bronzite: Full-Sized 16mm Polyhedral Dice Set: This full-sized 16mm gemstone set includes 7 dice (d4, d6, d8, d10, d10 (00-90), d12, and d20) and comes in a resin case that separates each die for protection. The included divided case solves storage for a heavier set, and the gemstone material is the main reason to commit to rolling on a padded surface.
• Zircon Glass Birthstone Dice: December- Topaz: Carved from zircon glass with engraved gold numbers, and the maker recommends rolling zircon glass dice on padded surfaces such as padded dice trays. This is a gift-first set: beautiful and specific to a birth month, but it needs a tray and careful storage to stay in good condition.
• Eternal Teal/Black 16mm Resin Poly Set: A blend of resins infused with a mix of glitters, with 7 dice in a 16mm polyhedral set (d4, d6, d8, d10, d10 (00-90), d12, and d20). This is the low-risk entry point for inclusion dice: standard size, standard seven-dice spread, and resin that suits regular table play.

Who should buy inclusion dice

Best for

• Players who want dice that look distinctive on the table and enjoy small variations between sets
• Gift buyers looking for a birthstone, themed, or convention-style set with visual meaning
• Travel and convention players who want a pocket-sized mini inclusion set
• Anyone willing to pair heavier materials with a padded tray and case

Not for

• Players who need every die in a set to look identical
• Groups that roll directly on hard tables and will not use a tray with gemstone or glass dice
• Buyers who prioritize maximum readability in dim light over decorative interiors
• Anyone looking for the lowest-cost way to fill out a dice bag

Pick inclusion dice the way you pick any other gaming gear: start with how and where you play, then choose the material and size that survive it. Resin 16mm sets are the safe everyday choice, minis are the travel choice, and gemstone or glass sets are the gift-and-display choice that deserves a padded tray.