The History Of Rhinestone Necklaces

By Angela Briggs


Rhinestones became popular around the thirteenth century when crystals were discovered in the Rhine River. They were hand cut and polished at that time and very time consuming to make. The stones were prized for their brilliance and were made into rhinestone necklaces and other jewelry for the upper classes.

Mass production of these stones became possible by the eighteenth century. An invention by Swarowski revolutionized the industry and made the stones available to people of all classes. The crystals were made of glass and with treatment could be made in numerous colors. In the United States eighty percent of crystals present are created by Swarovski.

These stones have a varied history of popularity. In the period between nineteen twenty and nineteen forty they enjoyed a high use volume because the population of America and other countries was involved with high fashion combined with jewelry to match. The older generation leaned more towards individual pieces such as broaches or hair clips.

When the hippie generation emerged in the fifties and sixties the market for these items suffered. The population was far more connected to natural fibers and unadorned clothing. Bracelets and other jewelry were made from hemp ropes and leather straps and adorned with polished rocks or porcelain ornamentation. The trend changed when the disco era began and has maintained that high level of popularity until the present time.

As a location for decoration the neck is one of the most prominent places to display your style. With the multiple styles and colors that are available the opportunities are enormous. For chokers or collars the showy nature of these stones are perfect. They can emphasize the length of a long neck and highlight the deep V necks of cocktail gowns.

The long strand styles are also versatile in that they can go to the office during the day and out to dinner later. They can be doubled or tied in knots to change the accent they offer to the wearer. Long strands can offer an answer for whatever a situation calls for.

As a hobby or a collection project many people have developed an avid interest in vintage jewelry. Pieces that may have been worn by their grandmothers or that can be found at yard or estate sales have become popular. The pieces can be valuable because of their creator or age. Many of the vintage pieces were original creations made by some of the best jewelry designers in the world. The largest crystal ever created by man was made for Liberace by David Swarovski as a gift. It was a clear stone weighing over one hundred ten thousand carats.

Necklaces have been a form of adornment since cave man days. Rhinestone necklaces came along later and have held their place in fashion for centuries. They are precious pieces that many women wear and value through the years. Many are passed to the new generation as family heir looms.




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