Rhinestone Jewelry – A Lotta Bling for Little Cha-Ching

Rhinestone Jewelry – A Lotta Bling for Little Cha-Ching

Let's face it, rhinestone jewelry is everywhere. Teens, moms, grandmothers, celebrities, even men are sporting rhinestone jewelry and accessories such as belts, cell phone face plates and bras. Rhinestones are a dazzling way to add a lotta bling to your wardrobe with a little cha-ching. So let's talk a bit about what rhinestones actually are and all the sparking options they can offer a girl.

What are rhinestones?

For a formal definition, rhinestones are lustrous, colorless imitation stones created from glass, gem quartz or paste.

How did rhinestones get their name?

The original rhinestones were rock crystals found centuries ago along the shores of the Rhine River in Austria, which is where they got their name.

Are there different kinds of rhinestones?

Eventually the rock crystals along the Rhine River were depleted after using so many to make rhinestone jewelry. Jewelers decided to try to duplicate the sparkling splendor of these delightful crystals. During the 1770's, a French jeweler named George Frederic Straus metal-coated the backs of clear crystals to force the reflection out through the stone to make the modern stone we use in rhinestone jewelry today. Rhinestones in the 2000's are made from crystal glass, glass, acrylic, quartz and paste. The acrylic and paste versions are really not stones, but plastic made to look like rhinestones that are frequently used on items such as costumes. Aurora borealis rhinestones are clear with an external coating that reflects blue and pink light for a colorful rainbow effect and make beautiful rhinestone jewelry.

What is the difference between a CZ and a rhinestone, anyway?

Cubic zirconium stones are actually a form of zirconium oxide created in a laboratory and intended to be a diamond substitute. A CZ closely resembles a diamond, is hand cut like a diamond and is usually set in precious metals such as gold and silver. Rhinestones are most frequently made from cut glass and use a metal backing to reflect light. rhinestone jewelry is often set in brass, which may tarnish over time. CZ jewelry can get wet because it is traditionally placed in gold or silver and does not require a metal backing. If you get rhinestone jewelry wet, you may tarnish or destroy it. CZ jewelry is can get quite expensive because it is a diamond substitute. rhinestone jewelry offers a lot of glamor for far less cash. Because rhinestone jewelry is less expensive, you can update your look more frequently without worrying about spending a lot of money.

Who makes the best rhinestones?

We talked about the different kinds of rhinestones and that some are really just suitable for costumes and embellishments, rather than for use in rhinestone jewelry. The finest rhinestones used in rhinestone jewelry are made by Swarovski because there is a higher content of lead in the crystal glass for exceptional clarity. Also, Swarovski uses a stone that has 12 cuts instead of the traditional 8 for additional sparkle and bling. In fact, Daniel Swarovski was the son of a Bohemian glass cutter who applied for a patent on his machine to cut crystal stones for rhinestone jewelry in 1892. Daniel Swarovski set up the original factory in Austria to produce these stones and in 1917, the company made the grinding wheels to cut these stones. Although Daniel died in 1956 at the ripe old age of 94, the company he left behind remains the leader in rhinestone jewelry stone production. They even produce the rhinestones for those prestigious bling kits celebrities use to customize their cell phones. Most crystal rhinestones are still made in Austria and the Czech Republic.

How do I take care of rhinestone jewelry?

Rhinestone jewelry scratches so make sure to store all your bling separately. Avoid water because it tarnishes the foil backing on rhinestones and can even loosen them. Simply clean your rhinestone jewelry with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Why should I choose rhinestone jewelry?

Rhinestone jewelry is affordable and can be used to create eye-catching looks during the day and glittering ensembles at night. Because rhinestone jewelry is less expensive, you can buy huge stones that catch every light. If you buy diamond jewelry or CZ jewelry, you are limited by how much money you have to spend. When you choose rhinestone jewelry, the sky is the limit. Modern rhinestone jewelry looks as good in the board room as it does at a club. rhinestone jewelry was popular for decades until the hippie generations of the 1960's. Rhinestones regained their glory during the flashy 1970's disco era, they became a big part of the club scene in the 1980's and 1990's and now rhinestones remain popular in the 2000's. With rhinestone jewelry, rhinestone encrusted belt buckles, rhinestone bedazzled cell phones and rhinestone embellished undergarments, it seems that rhinestones are here to stay in the fashion world. Even celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Linsday Lohan sport rhinestones and appreciate their luster.

The best thing about rhinestone jewelry is that it offers unlimited opportunities for glamor without having to spend thousands of dollars. Why not add a little dazzle to your day and pick up some cool rhinestone jewelry to finish off that diva look?