Vintage Rhinestone Jewelry
Rhinestones have a glittering past. Originally rhinestones where referred to Czechoslovakian or Bohemian glass dating as far back as the 13th century in Bohemia and the Czech Republic. Both have a history steeped in beautiful hand blown glass as well as molded and cut glass.
By 1918 glass was no longer limited to functional items. Czechoslovakian glass began to make its appearance in dazzling and brilliant jewelry. This Czech glass became known as rhinestones.
How to clean your vintage costume jewelry
Learn tricks on how to clean your vintage costume jewelry without damaging the finish or rhinestones!
Austria is another area with a history in rhinestone production. In 1891 Daniel Swarovski created a new glass cutting machine which quite literally revolutionized the jewelry business. This machine could cut faceted glass, producing finely finished product in a very short time. Prior to this invention it would take a very long time for each stone to be hand cut and finished. Swarovskiís background in glass making, combined with his glass cutting machine soon found him producing rhinestones with a lead content of over 30%.
Choker Austrian Crystal Rhinestone Jewelry Stretch 4 Rows SeXy & Romantic Gift
Choker Austrian Crystal Rhinestone Jewelry Stretch 4 Rows SeXy & Romantic Gift
Dazzling Austrian Crystal Rhinestones 4 Rows Stretch Necklace. Adjustable chain with secure closure. The perfect accessory. Silver tone with clear stones. Lifetime Plating. I purchased this choker online for my wedding, the picture truly didn't do it justice. I was more than pleased with this choker..photographs very well!
Choker Austrian Crystal Rhinestone Jewelry Stretch 4 Rows SeXy & Romantic Gift
Rhinestones were manmade gems from highly refined glass. By using various metals the glass was colored to the desired shade. It was then pressed into molds. Each stone was then ground and polished by machine, resulting in a brilliant glass stone. Often the stones were foiled on the back which increased their brilliance.
Today, the same refining process is still used. You will often here rhinestones referred to as paste. Originally paste was referred to a glass stone that made of ground glass which was molded and then melted, producing an opaque dense glass frosted stone. Paste had many air bubbles and swirl marks. The high lead content glass was then polished and faceted, and set on either copper or silver resulting in a brilliant stone. Today the term paste usually refers to rhinestones. In Europe rhinestones are often referred to as paste, strass, and diamante.
The brilliance of these rhinestones was superior to anything seen on the market. Swarovski wasnít content with his invention and the best rhinestones ever seen. His next invention was once again transforming to the jewelry industry. He created a vacuum plating for the backs of the stones with silver and gold, reducing the need for hand labor. Still today Swarovski rhinestones are recognized as the highest quality in the industry. Over 80% of rhinestone jewelry manufactured in America use Swarovski rhinestones.


