glamourkitten About Vintage Jewellery

'Costume' jewellery as we know it began as copies of, or models for precious gems, or stage costume. It took names such as Hobe, Schiapirelli, Haskell and Chanel to raise it to an art form in its own right, and create afforable yet stylish pieces in small production runs.

Many of these pieces are now just as valuable as their precious gem-set counterparts.

During the 20th century, high quailty costume jewellery grew in popularity with film stars, debutantes or brides.

Pieces made between 1920 and 1980 are highly sought after for due to their high quality of design and materials.

Rhinestones

Rhinestones, diamantes, or paste are diamond simulants used in cotumes, constume jewellery and increasingy for home decoration.

Originally, rhinestones were rock crystals gathered from the river Rhine, hand cut and set with silver or coloured foil behind to give colour and sparkle.

In 1775, George Frederic Strass had the idea to coat the lower side of glass with metal powder, which when fired formed a mirrored layer giving the cut stone a diamond look. Stones became smaller, more standard in size and much cheaper.

This method is still used to produce what in the US are generally called rhinestones, and in the UK and Europe, diamantes.

Unfoiled rhinestones usually have a high lead content creating fire and sparkle. These are referred to as crystals.

Since then there have been significant improvements in the cutting and design of the stones, but old hand cut paste still has an extrordinary charm.

In 1955, the "Aurora Borealis" metallic coating with an iridescent effect was launched, and hase been followed with other fancy coatings, cuts, and finishes.

Today, quaility rhinestones are produced mainly in Austria and the Czech Republic, while cheaper glass and plastic rhinestones are manufactured in many countries.

Fine stones are hand-faceted and polished, and set into jewellery within prongs, cheaper stones will be glued in place

Care of rhinestones

Store pieces of rhinestone jewelry individually as rhinestones scratch each other

Never, ever get rhinestones near water, as any liquid will tarnish the foil backing and, in older pieces, loosen the glued-in rhinestones.

Clean lightly with an ear bud dampened in rubbing alcohol, being careful not to catch on any metal prongs or fittings.

To replace rhinestones, be sure of the size, shape and color match exactly before inserting, or ask for expert repairs from us.