The Lure of Rhinestones

Signed Weiss Vintage Rhinestone Brooch

https://www.etsy.com/listing/152812149/weiss-vintage-rhinestone-brooch-signed?ref=shop_home_active

Did you ever wonder why rhinestones are called rhinestones? It's because they were originally beautifully colored natural quartz pebbles sourced from the Rhine River during the late 1800s. They were immensely popular, and as with most popular things that are natural, they were soon depleted. Once they were gone, imitation glass pebbles were used instead. 

Glass has been used in jewelry since ancient Roman and Egyptian times and even before, but it was taken to a new level by J. Strasser, an 18th century German jeweler who invented a flint glass with a high lead content that equalled the glitter and grandeur of diamonds. If you are lucky enough to find true Strass stones today, grab them and hang on. They are the cream of the crop of antique costume jewelry.

By 1891, Swarovski revolutionized the world of costume jewelry with his invention of a new machine that could mechanically cut and facet glass. This allowed glass gemstones to be manufactured in a fraction of the time that it had previously taken cutters to do it by hand. Swarovski also came up with the idea to take a cue from the foil backed stones of the late 1700s and plate the backs of the crystals with silver or gold to increase their sparkle.

It is very important not to get foil backed stones wet or you can ruin them, so do not wash your Strass or rhinestone jewelry. Just polish with a soft cloth to keep it beautiful. If it has become very oily from touching, then spray some glass cleaner onto a soft cloth, not directly on the stones, and gently wipe away the oil making sure to dry the jewels thoroughly.

Today, Swarovski crystals dominate the world of costume jewelry, but glass jewelry is also promoted under the name of sea glass. Sea glass jewelry can be very beautiful in a soft, delicate way, but if you want serious vintage sparkle that rivals a diamond, then rhinestones are for you. Vintage rhinestone jewelry by famous name makers such as Weiss or Eisenberg can generate premium prices, but there are still bargains to be found which is what makes hunting for it so much fun. It is hard to resist all that glitter.