Rhinestone Jewelry

It has never been determined if art imitates life or if the reverse is true, that life imitates art. And since the essence of life is movement, it can be said that the jewelry industry has had its share of movements that dictate fads and latest fashion trends. “Costume jewelry” was not coined until the 1920’s. But people in ancient times, like what we do today, did wear jewelry to adorn themselves. 

Rhinestones are primarily known as a fine imitation of diamonds. It figured in three art movements from the 1890s until the modern period. Rhinestones were first gathered from the Rhine River before synthetic alternatives like acrylic and glass was discovered by rhinestone manufacturers. Rhinestones, in fact, were not commercially produced until 1775, when jeweler George Strass found a way to add the same glitter of diamond to an ordinary glass.

Art Nouveau Movement

This art movements was a relatively short lived period – from 1890-1910. This movement radically deviated from the mass production and somberness of the Victorian era. Many of the restrictions of the Victorian era were taken away and creativity produced jewelry that was essentially just mimics of life. It was also during this time that the different enameling techniques became popular. 

The feminine side of women at this time became celebrated. There was a partiality toward moonstones, soft curves, citrines, opals, and carved glass.  Stylized designs, pastel colors, and flowing curves indicate this period.  It was at this time, in 1891, that Daniel Swarovski created a glass-cutting machine, making rhinestones a dazzling yet a cheap alternative to diamonds. Rhinestones since then have practically revolutionized the jewelry business. 

Retro Movement

From 1935 to around the 1950’s, the spotlight was on American jewelry.  It was at this time that the fashion houses of Paris went for a vacation and America was at the forefront of ready-to-wear.  Costume jewelry also flourished at this time. Now thanks to Hollywood actors, flamboyant and oversized jewelry pieces became in vogue –from charm bracelets to cocktail rings.  Jewelry became more whimsical and gold was beginning to regain its popularity.  Rhinestones from the Czech Republic and Austria, and much of the jewelry from France and Europe, at this time were not imported to the United States. At war’s end, bigger and bolder jewelry became the craze – from oversized watches, bracelets, and rings. Synthetic rubies and other gems also made a comeback.  Jewelry completely made of rhinestones was also made during this period - rhinestone parures then were very popular. 

Modern Period

It was in 1953 that the Aurora Borealis process was developed. The process allowed rhinestones to reflect a rainbow of colors. It is because of the Aurora Borealis effect that rhinestones became such a hit. The 1960’s hippie movement brought new interest in natural materials for jewelry. Handmade jewelry also made a comeback.  And from the 1960’s all through the end of the new millennium, most gold jewelry was made of yellow gold. In the 1970s, the rhinestone made a comeback in fashion. They were very popular especially among members of the 1980s disco generation.  GP

Rhinestones are nearly a girl’s best friend. They actually imitate the look and feel of real diamonds, except that they can be made from acrylic, rock crystal, or glass. Yes, they were originally gathered from Europe’s River Rhine, but they became commercially produced when, in 1775, jeweler George Strass discovered that coating the lower side of a glass actually with a metal finish actually makes it imitate a diamond’s properties.

It was in 1955 that rhinestones were coated with “Aurora Borealis” so they reproduce a diamond’s iridescence.  Rhinestones these days are produced in Austria, primarily by Swarovski, and the Czech Republic, primarily by Preciosa. Acrylic rhinestones, on the other hand, are produced in many other countries.

Swarovski actually makes a lot of things besides crystal rhinestones and beads.  The company was founded in 1892 by Daniel Swarovski. At the time, he had invented an automatic rhinestone cutting machine and opened up a factory in Austria.  Swarovski’s rhinestones are considered the best in the world.  According to some observers, Swarovski rhinestones have an unmatchable brilliance and “dazzle quality”.  Many players in the fashion industry consider it to be the best of it’s the kind in rhinestone parlance.

It is a known fact that Swarovski manufactures its own unique set of glass, which other manufacturers cannot duplicate. Swarovski does this by using a special compound made of natural materials, which gives their stones an incredible brilliance.  Information from Wikipedia indicates that Swarovski crystals contain around 32% lead to maximize refraction.” 

Since they are machine-cut, Swarovski rhinestones are perfectly uniform and their glass is free from any bubbles. If you magnify Swarovski crystal beads, you will notice that their facet junctions are pointing up. This is the clear distinguishing mark between a hand-cut crystal and a machine-cut crystal. In machine-cut crystals, facet junctures always meet at precise points.  Hand-cut crystals, on the other hand, have facet junctures that vary greatly. Swarovski produces many kinds of rhinestones and beads in many colors, with styles and colors that go in and out of production. Swarovski rhinestones are, in general, more expensive.

Rhinestones gained much popularity during the Art Nouveau Movement (1890-1910). This art movement was relatively flamboyant – it was free from all the somberness of the Victorian era. It was during this time that jewelry was created to reflect life. 

In 1940s, Nudie Cohn made the first Nudie suit, which was studded in rhinestones. It was, by all accounts, the Americanized version of the matador’s popular suit. The most popular reference to the rhinestone was the 1975 hit Rhinestone Cowboy by Glen Campbell. Rhinestones have also been associated with Elvis Presley and Liberace. These days, Custom-made rhinestone jewelry and other items by Swarovski are still in high demand. Celebrities and other fashion-conscious women love them. You can find rhinestones on being used to add glitter to high end mobile phones, mp3 players and even on glam iPods. It shows that due to their price and beauty, they are being used primarily to add glitter to fashion jewelry, clothes, and costumes.   GP

Unlike diamonds, there are actually two songs that mention rhinestone. It is not known, however, how much these two songs contributed to the rhinestone’s stature as a prime imitation of diamond. In her song “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” Marilyn Monroe alluded to the differences between a real diamond and a rhinestone by singing, “I don’t mean rhinestones but Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”.

The song Rhinestone Cowboy has more profound allusions to life. It was written by Larry Weiss but it did not become popular until Glen Campbell released it in 1975 and became a hit among country and pop music lovers. Weiss actually recorded Rhinestone Cowboy in 1974, and it does appear on his album Black and Blue Suite, by the label 20th Century Records. Neither Weiss’ nor Neil Diamond’s made much of an impression among music lovers, although Diamond’s version garnered airplay.

Campbell first heard the song in the later part of 1974 over the radio. During his Australian tour, he decided to learn the Rhinestone Cowboy piece. Soon after returning to the United States, he went directly to Capitol Records at Al Coury’s office. It was there that he was serendipitously approached to record a great new song called the Rhinestone Cowboy. Music lovers have noted that Campbell strongly identified with the matter of the life of a Rhinestone Cowboy. It was about surviving and making it in the world of entertainment. Steven Thomas Erlewine of All Music Guide noted that the song is about a veteran artist “who’s aware that he’s more than paid his dues during his career … but is still surviving, and someday, he’ll shine just like a rhinestone cowboy.”

By definition, a rhinestone can either be made of glass, acrylic or rock crystals, although the original rhinestones were actually culled from the Rhine River.  Alsatian jeweler Georg Friedrich Strass, an Alsatian jeweler, was the one who discovered that glass could actually be turned into a rhinestone by coating the lower side of a glass with a metal powder. In many parts of Europe, rhinestones are also known as Strass. Rhinestones have come to be known as excellent imitations of diamonds, and the best manufacturers can even have their rhinestone mimic the glistening of real diamonds under some bright light. In 1955, crystal stones were coated with Aurora Borealis or “Aqua aura” to mimic a diamond’s iridescent effect.

In the past, crystal rhinestones were used to add a glittering effect to clothes, costumes, and jewelry. They first became popular with the Art Nouveau Movement (1890-1910), which was far removed from Victorian somberness. These days you can actually find true rhinestone form on mobile phones, iPods, mp3 players, and even flip flops. The most well known brand of Rhinestones crystals are those produced by Swarovski in Austria, and by Preciosa in Czech Republic.

Today, the rhinestone also finds its way into designer’s jewelry that adorns the modern fashion conscious women. Since the price is not that far fetch, any jewelry from bracelets, necklaces, earrings or pendants can be made striking using rhinestones.  GP

It certainly isn’t a girl’s best friend, but it is a great imitation of that girl’s best friend known as the diamond. A rhinestone can be made of rock crystals, glass or acrylic. The original rhinestones were gathered from the Rhine River, hence their name. Georg Friedrich Strass, an Alsatian jeweler who discovered he could actually make rhinestones out of glass by coating its lower side with metal powder. It is no wonder then that rhinestones are also called Strass in many parts of Europe.

Rhinestones are excellent diamonds imitations. Good manufacturers can even imitate the sparkle of real diamonds under the sun. It was in 1955 that Aurora Borealis or “Aqua aura” was coated on crystal stones to produce the diamond’s iridescent effect. Aurora Borealis has the property of reflecting back the color that is near it. It was named after the phenomenon of Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis atmospheric phenomenon. Aurora Borealis is a manufacturing process using vacuum-sputter and thin metallic coating.

The crystal rhinestones in the past were used primarily to add glitter to costumes, clothes and jewelry. Now you can find them in characteristic beautiful form on cellphones, iPods, mp3 players, and flip flops – all of which you can find on eBay.

Rhinestones crystals are produced primarily by Swarovski in Austria by Preciosa in Czech Republic. Swarovski began making crystal rhinestones and beads in 1892, when Daniel Swarovski invented an automatic cutting machine, thus opening his first factory in Austria. Crystal beads and rhinestones by Swarovski are considered the best quality rhinestone beads in the world’s market.

Its unique market positions probably stems from the fact Swarovski creates a unique type of glass that other rhinestone manufacturers can’t duplicate – it uses a special compound composed of natural materials, enabling their stones and beads to have an incredible brilliance. In fact, jewelry artists and its other buyers consider it to be the Rolls Royce brand of crystal beads and rhinestones.

There are hand-cut rhinestones and machine-cut rhinestones. Hand cut diamonds are, obviously cut by hand. Even to the uninitiated eye, hand cut rhinestone crystals have a different beauty about them that machine-cut and perfectly cut crystals cannot match.

Rhinestones first became popular in the Art Nouveau Movement from 1890 to 1910. This Art movement had none of the somberness of the Victorian era. At this time, creative romantic energies put forth jewelry that mimicked life – realistic and otherwise. 

It was in the 1940s that Nudie Cohn first made the Nudie suit, which was studded with rhinestones. It was essentially the Americanized version of the matador’s suit. Remember Glen Campbell’s 1975 hit Rhinestone Cowboy. Rhinestones were also associated with Liberace and Elvis Presley. These days, custom rhinestone items by Swarovski are in high demand, especially by celebrities and fashion conscious women.

Preciosa rhinestone crystal items, on the other hand are used by leading fashion brands for making costume jewelry. Then again, even with the rhinestone’s popularity, you can still hear Marilyn Monroe singing in the background “I don’t mean rhinestones but Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”.  GP

The Rhinestone Jewelry market has grown over the past few years. Anyone who goes shopping in the antique shops will know about the rhinestone jewelry business well. What you might not be aware of is that many of those junk jewelry pieces command prices between two and three hundred dollars and some of them are worth thousands. Rhinestone jewelry is basically a glass with faceted top and a foil at the bottom. When the light reflects like it does in diamonds, creating a rainbow effect. Flat bottom rhinestone jewelry  is called Chaton Rose. It sparkles like a little rainbow in box. Chaton Rose is just a matter of simple physics dispersion and the laws of the light were discovered in 10th centuries and it took centuries to apply it to glass to make it seem like a diamond.

Chaton Rose has a lot of uses as well as body jewelry. Some of it can even be used to swim because a special kind of glue makes it water-resistable for a week or so and it looks really amazing. Chaton Rose is also used in dance costumes as bridal jewelry.

Rhinestone jewelry sets and accessories for all events and occasions include rhinestone barrettes, rhinestone belts, rhinestone bracelets, rhinestone buckles, rhinestone buttons, rhinestone combs, rhinestone chains, rhinestone earrings, rhinestone pins, rhinestone headbands, rhinestone necklaces, rhinestone rings, rhinestone tiaras, rhinestone western jewelry, antique rhinestone jewelry, rhinestone chokers, gold rhinestone jewelry and colored rhinestone jewelry.

Cleaning rhinestone jewelry is very simple and your rhinestone jewelry pieces will look brand new. You just gently rub toothpaste on to yourrhinestone jewelry with your fingers. Massage the toothpaste over the rhinestone jewelry with the toothbrush and lightly scrub. Rinse toothpaste off of rhinestone jewelryy with warm water. Lay the rhinestone jewelry flat to dry on a soft towel. Avoid using whitening toothpaste it couldtarnish rhinestone jewelry. Don’t store rhinestone jewelry in plastic bags, just in tissue paper only because over time, plastic will tarnish the rhinestone jewelry.