Many of us, whether we work in the performing arts industry, fashion industry, or are a creator such as a jeweller, designer, nail artist, costumier, or crafter, are fascinated by the idea of rhinestones; what are they, and where did they come from? The truth is, there are many types of rhinestone, which is a different story, but the story of how and where the original rhinestones were formed is a fascinating one.
What is a Rhinestone?
A rhinestone is an artificial imitation of a cut and polished gemstone, such as a diamond. It is a common misbelief that rhinestones and diamonds are similar in their materials and how they're formed, but actually the differences between rhinestones and diamonds are quite significant. Centuries ago, quartz pebbles rich in lead content, were discovered shimmering along the Rhine River in Europe. These naturally occurring stones were highly prized, but as their supply dwindled, jewellers looked to replicate their brilliance, leading to the creation of what we now call "rhinestones" – stones from the River Rhine.
Over time, the finest rhinestones have been crafted from leaded crystal—a type of glass enhanced with lead oxide to improve its light-reflecting properties. Traditionally, a higher lead content was believed to increase a rhinestone's brilliance and sparkle, however in the last few years, crystal manufacturer Preciosa have launched their range of lead-free rhinestones with great success, and still with the same amount of sparkle.
Today, the term "rhinestone" refers to imitation gemstones made from materials such as crystal, glass, or even acrylic plastic. In various regions, they are also known as paste, diamante, strass, or simply crystal, though true crystals should only describe rhinestones made from actual crystal material. Modern rhinestone production takes place in Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, and some parts of Asia. The timeline below highlights key events in rhinestone history, with many innovations attributed to Swarovski, a leader in crystal technology over the past 120 years.
The Evolution of Rhinestones
Rhinestones have played a significant role in fashion and embellishment for centuries. Their history is marked by key innovations and milestones that have shaped their development:
- Circa 1775: The technique of backing glass stones with a metal powder to enhance their reflective qualities is pioneered. There is some debate over whether this invention is credited to Viennese jeweller Joseph Strasser or Georg Friedrich Strass of Alsace, France. At this stage, rhinestones were still hand-crafted and remained a luxury item for the wealthy.
- 1892: Daniel Swarovski, the son of a Bohemian gem cutter, invents an electric machine that revolutionises the precision cutting of crystal, allowing for an unprecedented level of brilliance and consistency.
- 1895: Swarovski founds his eponymous company in Wattens, Austria. His aim was to create "a diamond for every woman," producing high-quality, affordable rhinestones at scale.
- 1907: The first hydropower plant for Swarovski is built, providing a stable power source for crystal production and enabling further refinement in their cutting techniques.
- 1915: The Preciosa brand is first registered in Bohemia, an area with a rich tradition of crystal manufacturing. The company officially establishes itself in 1948, following World War II.
- 1948: Significant post-war transformations led to a major advancement in the Czechoslovakian glass industry. 25 companies of various sizes from Jablonec, Liberec, and Turnov unified to form a single national entity, officially named PRECIOSA.
- 1956: Swarovski introduces the Aurora Borealis (AB) coating, developed in collaboration with French fashion designer Christian Dior. This iridescent effect propels rhinestones into the fashion industry, securing their place in haute couture and costume design.
- 1976: A Swarovski craftsman assembles chandelier components into a mouse figurine, launching Swarovski's globally renowned crystal collectibles.
- 1995: Swarovski opens Kristallwelten (Crystal Worlds), a museum celebrating the beauty and artistry of crystal.
- 2012: Swarovski introduces Advanced Crystal, a lead-free formulation that maintains the brilliance of traditional rhinestones while aligning with environmental and health standards.
How Are Rhinestones Used Today?
Fashion & Couture – Like decades ago, rhinestones nowadays continue to adorn garments on the catwalks, in fashion & photography studios, and bridal couture houses. Almost any garment can be embellished with rhinestones, sew on crystals, beads, pearls and gems by professionals or beginners.
Performance & Costumes – On the stage, costume rhinestones are an essential feature in dance, theatre, cheerleading, gymnastics, ice skating, burlesque and drag culture for their ability to catch stage lighting. Without an abundance of rhinestones applied to performance costumes, that sparkle and magic felt by the audience wouldn't be captured.
Jewellery & Accessories – Any statement piece of jewellery, designer handbag or luxury heel wouldn't be complete without rhinestones. Jimmy Choo is famous for his bedazzled stilettos, and costume jewellery is dripping with them. But you don't have to be a professional designer to bling up your accessories.
Nail Art & Beauty – A growing trend in manicures, with tiny rhinestones adding subtle sparkle to nail designs, and large rhinestones bringing 'over the top' glitz and glam. Face gems and nail art rhinestones are becoming more popular in everyday life, not just for festivals.
Craft & DIY Projects – With upcycling becoming even more popular nowadays, adding rhinestones to clothing is a fun DIY project, suitable for any age. Affordable rhinestones are often used in card-making, textile projects, crocheting, jewellery making, crafting, and personalising items like phone cases.
Interior Design – Although crystal rhinestones are often found to be used in chandeliers, furniture, and decorative wall art, you don't have to be an interior designer to add some sparkle to your home furnishings.
The Future of Rhinestones
We can make a good prediction as to what the future holds for rhinestones, most importantly the continued rise of ethical and sustainable crystal production. Over the last decade, both Preciosa and Swarovski have undertaken significant strides in environmental sustainability. Key facilities have undergone refurbishments, incorporating cleaner technologies and eco-sensitive solutions.
We can expect to see rhinestones continuing to evolve in the fashion and design industry. From starting out life mainly on the catwalk, only afforded by the wealthy, rhinestones are now seen everywhere and can be used and worn by anyone. Rhinestones for drag is on the rise, with the popularity of Ru Paul's Drag Race bringing all things sparkly to the main stage.
The demand for cost-effective rhinestones, like Zodiac or Luna crystals, as an alternative to the more expensive brands, is also something that will grow in the future. Designers, crafters and blingers are now switching from Swarovski to these more affordable rhinestones, because they offer a similar excellent quality at a fraction of the cost.