Rhinestone Jewelry
Early 2000s Brooches
Vintage 1980s French Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1980s French Chain Necklaces
Vintage 1980s French More Bracelets
Gilt Metal
20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1980s French Clip-on Earrings
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French More Bracelets
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Gold
20th Century French Brooches
Early 2000s French Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1950s American Retro Clip-on Earrings
Crystal
Vintage 1960s French Clip-on Earrings
Early 2000s Other
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Brooches
Gold Plate
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s American Beaded Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Brass
Vintage 1970s American Modern Choker Necklaces
1970s American Belts
Vintage 1950s American Brooches
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s American Baroque Revival Chandelier Earrings
20th Century Brooches
Mid-20th Century American Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1950s American Clamper Bracelets
20th Century Canadian Art Deco Bangles
20th Century American Brooches
Vintage 1950s American Link Bracelets
1990s French Brooches
20th Century Brooches
Vintage 1980s German More Jewelry
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s American Brooches
Vintage 1960s American Modern Link Bracelets
Mixed Metal
Vintage 1960s American Modern Chain Bracelets
Vintage 1950s Unknown Drop Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary French Brooches
Vintage 1960s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1950s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
1990s French More Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1960s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1950s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Link Bracelets
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s Link Necklaces
20th Century American Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
21st Century and Contemporary French Tennis Bracelets
Mid-20th Century Collectible Jewelry
Stone, Metal, Sterling Silver
20th Century Brooches
Vintage 1970s Drop Necklaces
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
2010s European Contemporary Hoop Earrings
2010s French More Necklaces
Vintage 1980s Brooches
20th Century Brooches
20th Century Brooches
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Collectible Jewelry
Copper
Mid-20th Century American Brooches
Vintage 1980s American Hoop Earrings
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Cufflinks
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Bangles
Crystal, Base Metal
Vintage 1970s Brooches
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Find the Right Vintage Rhinestone Jewelry for Your Jewelry Box
Thanks to its affordability, vintage rhinestone jewelry can be part of anyone’s collection, adding sophisticated elegance or glitz — or both.
Rhinestones have defined glamour since as far back as the 13th century, when Austrian jewelers first incorporated the sparkling quartz unique to the Rhine river (hence the name) into their designs, adding brilliance and luminescence to everything from tiaras to necklaces to rings. With their high lead content, the original Rhine stones had a diamond-like quality so alluring to the wealthy that the river was eventually depleted, leaving jewelers searching for an alternative.
Enter Alsatian jeweler Georg Friedrich Strass, who in the late 18th century began coating glass with a metal powder to refract the light (in many European languages, rhinestones are called strass). Some 50 years later, Bohemian glass blowers went even further: They found that by varying the metal backings, they could transform these glass “stones” into replicas of virtually any gem, including rubies, emeralds, morganites, sapphires and colored diamonds.
But it was legendary Bohemian gem cutter Daniel Swarovski who, nearly a half-century later, elevated rhinestones to their best and brightest, creating coated glass-crystal gems that are almost indistinguishable from diamonds. He also invented the electric cutting machine, which allowed rhinestones to be manufactured not only in the smallest, pinpoint sizes but also as cabochons.
Since then, designers have produced effects with rhinestones that would be nearly impossible with precious gems — effects that have been appreciated as much by jewelry lovers like Elizabeth Taylor, Madeline Albright and Queen Sophia of Spain as by fashion designers like Christian Dior, Givenchy, Yves St. Laurent and Coco Chanel, who loved costume jewels but couldn’t resist designing with diamonds.
To avoid damaging your rhinestone jewelry, store it carefully. Piling pieces on top of each other can scratch the metal backings or, worse, the glass itself. Clean the jewels gently with mild baby soap and water using a toothbrush or soft cloth, advises Ciner’s Kris Ciulla, adding, “If the craftsmanship and materials were worthy from the beginning, they can last forever.”
Find vintage rhinestone jewelry for your jewelry box today on 1stDibs.
- Is rhinestone jewelry real?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2023No, rhinestone jewelry is not real in terms of its gemstones, as rhinestones do not occur naturally. Instead, manufacturers produce them from crystal, glass, acrylic and other materials. However, rhinestone jewelry may still feature genuine precious metal or metal plating. Explore a large collection of jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Yes, some rhinestone jewelry is valuable. Vintage rhinestones, those not made in mass production, are of higher quality and tend to be worth more than other costume jewelry made today.