The Swarovski Rhinestone
Aug 30th, 2010 by fashion reporter
Rhinestones have an exquisite sparkle and brilliance that can be used to adorn jewelry, clothing and accessories. A few rhinestones can transform even the most common item into something fit for a star.
For the highest quality rhinestones, look for those made in Austria or the Czech Republic. Rather than being crafted from plastic like many rhinestones on the market, those made in Europe are often leaded glass crystal. The difference is in the sparkle, the fire and the longevity of the wear. Even after decades, a real crystal rhinestone will not lose its brilliance and shine. It is common to find exquisite rhinestone costume jewelry made in the 1930’s and 1940’s even now.
George Fredrich Strass, the inventor of rhinestones, discovered a way to coat the clear stones he found in the Rhine River in 1775. He was thrilled to discover the result: a sparkling stone that looked like a diamond! Glass crystals came to replace the river stones eventually. Rhinestones became popular after Daniel Swarovski received a patent for a machine which automatically cut uniformed crystals in 1892. This caused rhinestones to become much more affordable and accessible to the public. Swarovski remains the largest maker of rhinestones to this day.
Rhinestones come in a stunning range of colors and sizes. The use of crystals in formal wear, wedding gowns and other exquisite pieces is unmistakable. Swarovski makes a popular flat-backed rhinestone that can easily be attached to almost any kind of fabric.
Buying rhinestones requires that you work with a trustworthy seller. Be sure they are selling authentic Swarovski or Czech crystals as opposed to the plastic rhinestones which become cloudy and lose their sparkle very quickly. You get what you pay for when it comes to rhinestones.
In addition to rhinestones, crystal beads are made by the same companies. Swarovski has an enormous line of beads in all shapes, sizes and colors. You can find them in the finest handmade jewelry in fine boutiques around the world. Crafters all over the world have come to rely on these beads for their very best projects.
You’ll be able to use your imagination in limitless ways with rhinestones. Use genuine crystals and beads to create unique clothing and accessories that can’t be found anywhere else.
Other than the Swarovski Rhinestones, you can also look at Hot Fix Crystals
