A rhinestone or paste or diamante is a diamond simulant made from rock crystal, glass or acrylic.
Originally, rhinestones were rock crystals gathered from the river Rhine. The availability was greatly increased around 1775 when the Alsatian jeweller Georg Friedrich Strass had the idea to imitate diamonds by coating the lower side of glass with metal powder. Hence, rhinestones are called Strass in many European languages.
Rhinestones may be used as imitations of diamonds, and some manufacturers even manage to reproduce the glistening effect real diamonds have in the sun.
In 1955, the Aurora Borealis, a thin, vacuum-sputtered metallic coating applied to crystal stones to produce an iridescent effect, was introduced by Swarovski. Aurora Borealis tends to reflect whatever color is worn near it, and it is named after the Aurora Borealis atmospheric phenomenon, also known as the "Northern Lights". Similar treatments are Aqua aura and "Flame aura".
Typically, crystal rhinestones have been used on costumes, apparel and jewelry. Crystal rhinestones are produced mainly in Austria by Swarovski and in the Czech Republic by Preciosa and a few other glassworks in northern Bohemia. In the US, these are sometimes called Austrian Crystal. In the Spanish-speaking world they are called Cristal de Bohemia (Bohemian Crystal).
The rhinestone-studded Nudie suit was invented by Nudie Cohn in the 1940s, an Americanization of the matador's suit of lights. Rhinestone material is often used as an alternative to sequin.
Liberal use of rhinestones was associated with country music singers, as well as with singer Elvis Presley and pianist Liberace. In 1974 David Allan Coe released the album "The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy" and referred to himself as The Rhinestone Cowboy again in the 1977 song "Longhaired Redneck". In 1975 Glen Campbell had a top hit with the song Rhinestone Cowboy, and became known as the "Rhinestone Cowboy". That song served as the basis for the 1984 movie Rhinestone, starring Sylvester Stallone and Dolly Parton.
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Swarovski, produced in Austria, are the highest quality rhinestones in the industry. Glass rhinestones, being much more affordable than Swarovski are more commonly, and are separated by Korean rhinestones versus Chinese rhinestones. Korean rhinestones are the better quality of the two because they are put through a more thorough inspection and quality control. Chinese rhinestones, though the process of being made is the same, is not as strictly inspected [1]. Rhinestones in color and quality may also differ depending on the manufacturer.
Rhinestones are sized by using the term 'ss,' or stone size, followed by a number to indicate size (ex. SS8 is equivalent to 2.3 mm, SS10 is 2.8mm [2]. SS is more commonly used for apparel means, while PP (or pearl plate) is used for jewelry [3].
Hot fix rhinestones, also called heat transfer rhinestones, are mainly used for apparel. The flat bottom of the stone has a glue backing and when heated melts onto the surface of the clothing [4]. These can be adhered using a regular iron, however, it is recommended to use a heat press, as they are able to reach high temperatures (standard transfers require temperatures of up 350-400 degrees F which regular irons are not capable of) while applying heavy pressures resulting in a more professional standard quality [5].