In the late 19th century, Austrian jeweler Daniel Swarovski devised a foil backing that made his high-quality faceted crystals almost indistinguishable from diamonds. Demand was so great that in 1892 he patented a mechanical cutter so his “stones” could be mass-produced.

The family business was originally located in the Gablonz area of Bohemia, but in 1895 Swarovski moved it to Austria near the Rhine River—his faux gems have been known as rhinestones ever since. Still manufactured in Austria today, the quality of Swarovski crystal remains unmatched.

While most people associate rhinestones with clear glass, these head-turning fakes aren’t only used as diamond copycats. Rhinestones also perform admirably as turquoise, carnelia...

Companies and designers who have used Swarovski rhinestones reads like a Who’s Who of the costume-jewelry world. In the 1920s, Coco Chanel catapulted rhinestones into the popular imagination when she made costume jewelry a fashion statement. The bright colors of her enameled animal and bow brooches were accented by clear rhinestones.

In the 1950s, fellow Parisian Elsa Schiaparelli, as well as Albert Weiss of New York, favored Swarovski’s aurora borealis crystals, which had been produced with Christian Dior. Named after the Northern Lights, aurora borealis rhinestones instantly date a piece as post-1955.

Other designers and companies whose work owes a debt to the sparkle of Swarovski include Eisenberg, Trifari, and Hobé.

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Expand to read the full article ▼

Interviews & Articles

Carole Tanenbaum on Costume Jewelry's 'Wow' Factor

My husband and I have many collections. We were in London at one point in the ’80s, and I saw a fabulous collection of vintage cos… [more]

Christie Romero on Differences Between Fine and Costume Jewelry Over the Decades

I started out with general antiques and collectibles... I was a dealer for a while and bought and sold all kinds of things. Gradua… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Researching Costume Jewelry

Researching Costume Jewelry

Jewelry lovers, venture through this amazing database of vintage jewelry articles, catalogs, and brochures, as well… [read review or visit site]

Emerald City Vintage Costume Jewelry

Emerald City Vintage Costume Jewelry

It looks like we're not in Kansas anymore with Elizabeth Rowlands' site on vintage costume jewelry from the 1940s a… [read review or visit site]

Collecting Costume Jewelry

Collecting Costume Jewelry

Carol Bell's simple but informative site focuses on photographs of brooches, bracelets, pendants, and pins, with an… [read review or visit site]

Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry

Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry

Jewelry collectors, feast your eyes on this internet gem! It's a goldmine of jewelry information featuring all styl… [read review or visit site]

All About Jewels Dictionary

All About Jewels Dictionary

This incredible reference dictionary on jewelry, from Enchantedlearning.com, is both beautiful and comprehensive. S… [read review or visit site]

Cathy Gordon's Jewelry Gallery

Cathy Gordon's Jewelry Gallery

With its vast galleries featuring clear images of jewelry and style, this site really covers it all! Divided up by … [read review or visit site]



Clubs & Associations

Top eBay Auctions

See all 46 by  highest bidmost watchedcompleted
Huge Vintage Jewelry Lot Monet Swarovski Napier Coro 1928 14k Gs In Great BoxVintage Signed Swarovski Aurora Borealis Bezel Crystal Necklace Bracelet SetGorgeous Huge Signature Swarovski Crystal Swan Brooch Pin! Wow!12 Ring Vintage Lot! 18k Gold Plated! Large Cubic Zirconia, Swarovski! High End!Vintage Swarovski Crystal And Jet Dalmation Brooch. Retired. Bought 1996Nolan Miller Bracelet & Earrings Baguette Swarovski Faceted White Crystals Nib!12 Ring Vintage Lot! 18k Gold Plated! Large Cubic Zirconia, Swarovski! High End!Swarovski Bracelet Pristine Crystal Baguette Rhinestones,goldtone Never Worn! J2Vintage Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Ladies Gold- Note Pad?pen.free Shipping Fabulous Swarovski Swan Signed Vintage Bezel Edge Set Crystal Stones Necklace 12 Ring Vintage Lot! 18k Gold Plated! Large Cubic Zirconia, Swarovski! High End!12 Ring Vintage Lot! 18k Gold Plated! Large Cubic Zirconia, Swarovski! High End!12 Ring Vintage Lot! 18k Gold Plated! Large Cubic Zirconia, Swarovski! High End!Vintage Swarovski Crystal Colorful Large Gold Peacock Bird Pin Brooch12 Ring Vintage Lot! 18k Gold Plated! Large Cubic Zirconia, Swarovski! High End!Adagio Face Pin Hand Painted Swarovski Crystals Lucky Four Leaf Clover HorseshoeSwarovski Rhinestone Rope Lot Strips Stone Settings Vtg Nos Jewelry Design CraftHuge Lot Of Swarovski Genuine Crystal Sterling Quartz Aurora Borealis .925 12kgfHugh 1000+ Vintage Jewelry Swarovski Ab /colorful Rhinestone Lot~crafts~repair1800+++ Lot Of All Swarovski RhinestonesDazzling Swarovski Crystal NecklaceFabulous Sal Swarovski Vintage Red & Clear Rhinestone Clip EarringsVintage Estate Jewelry Lot 15 Rhinestone Brooches Pins Lisner Coro Swarovski + +Vintage Pave Swarovski Crystal Large Link Chain Necklace Signed S.a.l. 1 Day !Vintage 70s Disco Ball Prism Crystal Ring Ab Rainbow Swarovski Faceted GemVntg Swarovski Crystals Sgnd "henry Ala Pensee" Brooch- Green,black,red, & Pink Vintage Lucite Swarovski Crystal Autumn Sunset Bangle BraceletSigned Swarovski Vintage Brooch Pin Giraffe Enamel Rhinestone Figural D11Hugh 1000+ Vintage Jewelry Swarovski Ab /colorful Rhinestone Lot~crafts~repair12 Ring Vintage Lot! 18k Gold Plated! Large Cubic Zirconia, Swarovski! High End!Gorgeous Swarovski Signed Crystal Starburst Clip Earrings! So Sparkly!Vintage Swarovski Austrian Crystal Multi Color Gold Plated Tennis Bracelet 7 Vintage Style Gorgeous Flower Drop Clear Swarovski Crystal Brooch PinVintage Swarovski Crystal Humming Bird Pin/broochVintage Swarovski Crystal Blooming Flower Necklace SetVintage Swarovski Crystal Rooster Pin/broochVintage Swarovski Crystal Perched Owls Bird Pin/broochVintage Swarovski Crystal 3 Strand Multi Colour Open Back NecklaceVintage Amber Topaz Swarovski Crystal Glass Beaded Choker NecklaceSwarovski Brooch Pin Swan Hallmark, Flower Pink Yellow Crystal Rhinestones NiceNew Signed Joan Rivers Swarovski Crystal Gold Tn Bracelet 99 Cents12 Ring Vintage Lot! 18k Gold Plated! Large Cubic Zirconia, Swarovski! High End!12 Ring Vintage Lot! 18k Gold Plated! Large Cubic Zirconia, Swarovski! High End!12 Ring Vintage Lot! 18k Gold Plated! Large Cubic Zirconia, Swarovski! High End!Vtg Swarovski Austrian Crystal Brilliant Rhinestone Gold Plated Pierced EarringsVintage Swarovski Austrian Crystal Silver Rhodium Elegant Dainty Bangle Bracelet