Rhinestones have a glittering past. Originally rhinestones where known Czechoslovakian or Bohemian glass dating as far straight back as the 13th century in the Czech Republic and Bohemia. Both have a brief history steeped in hand blown glass along with molded and cut glass.
By 1918 glass was no longer restricted to practical objects. Czechoslovakian glass began to make its appearance in dazzling and brilliant jewelry. This glass became referred to as rhinestones.
Rhinestones were manmade treasures from highly processed glass. By using different metals the glass was colored to the desired color. It was then pressed into molds. Each stone was then ground and polished by machine, producing a brilliant glass stone. The stones were foiled on the rear which increased their elegance.
Today, exactly the same refining process is still used. You'll usually here rhinestones referred to as paste. Initially paste was described a glass stone that made of ground glass which was molded and then melted, providing an opaque dense glass frosted stone. Stick had swirl marks and several air bubbles. The high lead content glass was then polished and faceted, and set on either copper or silver producing a stone. Swarovski Beads includes extra info concerning the inner workings of it. To-day the definition of paste generally refers to rhinestones. In Europe rhinestones in many cases are referred to as stick, strass, and diamante.
Norway is another area with a history in production. In 1891 a new glass was created by Daniel Swarovski cutting device which quite literally changed the jewelry business. Faceted glass could be cut by this machine, creating perfectly finished product really short-time. Before this innovation it would have a very long time for every single stone to become hand-cut and finished. Swarovskis background in glass making, combined with his glass cutting machine soon found him providing rhinestones with a lead content of more than 308.
The brilliance of those rhinestones was better than any such thing seen in the marketplace. Swarovski wasnt pleased with his creation and the very best rhinestones ever seen. His next invention was once more transforming for the jewelry business. He created a vacuum plating for the backs of the rocks with silver and gold, reducing the need for hand work. Still today Swarovski rhinestones are recognized as the best quality in the market. More Than 807 of rhinestone jewelry manufactured in America use Swarovski rhinestones.
Rhinestones have played an essential role in costume jewelry for centuries. It is used to enhance and accent, and often rhinestones provides the whole design. Throughout the Victorian period popular motifs for jewelry included flowers, snakes, and hands usually adorned with rhinestones.
The 1890s were a period for extravagant jewelry heavily adorned with rhinestones. As time moved forward models became simpler with figural patterns once again making their fashion statement. However now they were small and more sophisticated with small rhinestone accents.
Through the Edwardian period extravagance had made a return with diamonds and pearls being the focus. Yet again rhinestones were in heavy use, frequently used to copy genuine.
Through the 1920s fashions were rapidly changing. Dresses had gone from fitted to a looser convenient style. Two distinct models happened during this era the androgynous style and the female style. Jewelry from your 1920s drew to the art deco period. The vast majority of rhinestone jewelry was made with clear rhinestones.
Because the 1920s moved jewelry yet again became bolder. Dramatic color was in style. Custom Coco Chanel was an important figure in the setting the stage for jewelry of the era.
During the 1930s during the depression labor-intensive trend was no longer feasible. Jewelry represented an inexpensive comfort to a lot of women, while the earth was in turmoil. Low priced costume jewelry might be used to revitalize a classic wardrobe. A began to create bright colored enamel pieces highlighted with rhinestones. Dogs, birds, or cats having a rhinestone eye were common-place.
The jewelry during the 1940s once again became bold and large with rhinestones being manufactured in every conceivable shade, large stones set on large bold settings was typical.
From the 1950s there were two very distinct looks sophisticated and stylish for the informal, and more aged woman and fun for the younger woman. The 1950s saw jewelry made entirely from rhinestones. For the younger woman were flirty pieces, for the older woman superior beauty. Rhinestone parures became extremely popular.
In 1953 the aurora borealis rhinestone was presented to the marketplace having its fabulous selection of color. It had been an instant hit!
By 1960s women were carrying very functional clothing. From the late 1960s the hippie styles were popular with their origins tied to Our Mother Earth. Tie dyed t-shirts, long flowing dresses, frayed jeans were every where. That generation had no curiosity about jewelry.
By the mid 1970s the punk look had been created and the rhinestone was re-vitalized. It had been the disco movement brought the rhinestone back again to center stage. The disco movement changed into the club movement throughout the 1980s and rhinestone jewelry continued to achieve popularity.
Since the 1970s rhinestone have remained main-stream inside the jewelry world. They continue to gain popularity and today there is a mode to suit virtually every ones needs. There is rhinestone jewelry that will be ideal for a bride, rhinestone jewelry for a prom girl, rhinestone jewelry for the fun and young crowd, the business woman, the woman, and the mature woman. Beautiful bits of rhinestone jewelry adorn virtually every womans accessories.
If trends are a sign of the rhinestones future, it seems to have a vibrant healthy life ahead of it. Satisfying for some woman having a fashion sense who immediately recognize the beauty and value of rhinestones!.
Copyright © by the contributing authors, 2007-2024.