Yellow Rhinestone Necklace
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What is a Rhinestone?

"A rhinestone or paste is a diamond simulant made from rock crystal, glass or acrylic,"
according to Wikipedia.* Originally, rhinestones were gathered from the Rhine River in
Europe, but became manufactured when jeweler George Strass discovered how to
coat the lower side of glass with a metal finish in 1775, which gave a brilliance to
glass much like diamonds.  Hence, rhinestones are called strass in the German
language.  

In 1955, the "Aurora Borealis" or northern lights coating was invented and applied to
crystal stones to produce an iridescent effect.  This aurora borealis coating is seen
referred often as simply "AB" or "AB coating."  Rhinestones today are produced mainly
in Austria and the Czech Republic.  Acrylic rhinestones are produced in many
countries.

Differences in Crystal Rhinestones and Beads:  To Swarovski
or Not to Swarovski?

Swarovski Crystal

The Swarovski Company makes, among other things, exquisite crystal rhinestones
and beads.  The company was founded in 1892 because Daniel Swarovski invented
the automatic cutting machine and opened a factory in Austria.  Their crystal beads
and rhinestones are considered of the best quality in the world market.  They have
brilliance and "dazzle quality" that is unmatched.  Jewelry artists, beaders and many
others consider Swarovski the Rolls Royce of rhinestones and crystal beads. In fact,
Swarovski does create glass that others cannot duplicate by using a special
compound of natural materials that makes their stones and beads have incredible
brilliance.  According to Wikipedia, "Swarovski crystal contains approximately 32% lead
to maximize refraction."  Because Swarovski crystals are cut by machine, they are
perfectly uniform, and the glass is free of bubble inclusions.  In addition, if you magnify
a Swarovski crystal bead compared to other crystal beads, you'll notice that Swarovski
crystals have their facet junctions pointing up.  This is easily distinguished from hand
cut crystals or crystals from other companies.  Note too, that the facet junctures are
perfect; always meeting in precise points.  Hand cut crystals have facet junctures that
vary a great deal.  Swarovski manufactures many colors of rhinestones and beads,
which styles and colors go in and out of production, and their beads and rhinestones
are generally more expensive.

Hand-cut Crystal Rhinestones and Beads

Hand cut crystals and rhinestones are, as the name implies, cut by hand.  Unlike
machines, humans do not cut stones flawlessly.  Ancient and antique jewelry (before
the invention of the machine to cut stones) stone cuts are themselves prized by
collectors.  Replacing rhinestones or beads from older jewelry with a machine cut
stone or bead would be obvious to even those unfamiliar with Swarovski. Hand cut
glass and crystal beads with it's slight variations, give more modern jewelry a
beautifully artistic, charming, one-of-a-kind quality that Swarovski can't mimic.

Buy vintage costume and rhinestone jewelry online here.
Information about Rhinestones
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