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
