| Vintage and contemporary costume jewelry is | | | | colored, but do not sparkle like the machine cut |
| often accented with or covered in rhinestones. | | | | nor do they have the sharp finished edges. |
| The stones can be glass, crystal or acrylic plastic. | | | | Backs |
| Vintage rhinestones were produced in Austria, | | | | * Flat Back rhinestones have a flat even |
| Czechoslovakia, France, Japan and Germany. | | | | underside, and are often applied with adhesive to |
| Types of Rhinestones | | | | other materials such as fabric, crafts and nails. |
| * Cabochon stones have flat backs and smooth, | | | | You may see them used in inexpensive costume |
| rounded tops with no facets. They may be any | | | | jewelry. |
| color, including black, and may have the depth and | | | | * Faceted Backs are pointy with faceted |
| color variations of opals | | | | undersides are also used in crafts and clothing |
| * Faceted stones are cut or molded, and have | | | | * Foiled Backs have underside of the rhinestone |
| multiple flat surfaces that reflect light. Probably the | | | | coated with a metallic foil, similar to that used on |
| most common type of rhinestone. | | | | mirrors, which causes light to be reflected back |
| * Opaque stones are not transparent or foil | | | | and giving the stone sparkle. Foil backed |
| backed, and are often made to simulate | | | | rhinestones are probably the most common type |
| turquoise, coral, jade and onyx. They look more | | | | * Unfoiled Backs have no foil on the bottom of |
| like rocks than gems. | | | | the stone, allowing light to pass through it, giving it |
| * Cameo stones have a design raised on the top | | | | a precious gem appearance. |
| surface. | | | | * Domed backs are rounded on the underside, |
| Rhinestone Cuts | | | | not faceted or flat. |
| * Machine Cut rhinestones are the most brilliant. | | | | A popular finish for vintage rhinestones is Aurora |
| Made of glass crystal, they are cut and polished | | | | Borealis. Introduced in 1955, it's a thin metallic finish |
| so that the edges are sharp and crisp, making | | | | applied to the top of the stone that gives it an |
| them sparkle. Swarovski rhinestones, produced in | | | | iridescent glow and color changes when moved |
| Austria, are the most valuable and prized. Think of | | | | around in the light. |
| how a cut diamond looks. | | | | It's all a matter of taste, and there are so many |
| * Table Polished stones have just the top facet, | | | | variations of size, shape and color or stones, to |
| or "table" of the rhinestone polished. They won't | | | | say nothing of styles of jewelry, that every |
| have the sparkle of machine cut rhinestones. | | | | bracelet, necklace, pin or pair of earrings you |
| * Fire Polished rhinestones are molded glass | | | | collect will have unique features and sparkling |
| stones that are polished using heat, vibration or a | | | | appeal. |
| combination of both. They are often brightly | | | | |