The Best in Vintage Rhinestone Jewelry
Rhinestones were originally extracted from rock crystals that were deposited with the rocks on the shores of the river Rhine in Austria. They are also obtained naturally in other countries, and their beauty, sparkle and their colors made them popular as items for jewelry. However with time, these naturally occurring rhinestone sources were reducing in their capacity to support the growing demand as they became popular and in great demand.
This led to the development of several techniques for cutting normal glass into several facets or the polishing of the bases of cut glass with a silver and gold polish that gives them the character of precious stones like diamonds. Therefore, while some vintage Rhinestone jewelry may fall in the class of those that were naturally extracted from the river beds and from shores, many of those that you will come across may have been produced by the techniques of glass cutting or coating which developed into a line of specialty in jewelry manufacture.
Vintage rhinestone jewelry is found today in antique shops, specialty jewelry shops and in various online shops. They are set into all kinds of accessories and pieces. They are usually found as ornaments on timepieces, brooches, rings, wedding tiaras, necklaces and bracelets, you name it.
(The lovely parure above by Canadian vintage designer, Gustave Sherman, offers the glitter of diamonds without the cost. Available from
VIANVI JEWELRY)
Though cheaper than diamonds, vintage rhinestone jewelry can give you the benefit of a diamond sparkle for a more affordable price. When looking for vintage rhinestone jewelry, there are a few things to be watchful about. For example you will find that significant differences occur between the rhinestones that are obtained naturally and those that were artificially produced. Asking questions about their provenance and nature will help in identifying their differences and in making your choice.
Some of the pieces come with a certificate of authenticity that represents the designers if they are known and this is usually enough to qualify them as genuine vintage pieces. Like most vintage jewelry, the signed pieces are less risky to purchase and of better value as collector's items. This is because there are rogues that will try to pass counterfeit modern jewelry as antiques in an attempt to rip off the unsuspecting. In cases where they are not signed, and you absolutely love the piece, getting it evaluated by an expert can give you confidence in your acquisition.
While there are some designers whose workmanship can be identified, there are many others that are not known who have nonetheless left a legacy of authentic vintage Rhinestone jewelry with their own unique style. Therefore let your instinct and tastes guide you as you explore the world of antique rhinestone jewelry, knowing that there is much to discover and savour in their beauty. A few of the names to watch out for are; Napier, Monet, KJL, swarowski, maison gripoix among others.
To learn more about rhinestone vintage jewelry visit the #1 resource on the net for vintage jewelry guide.
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