Discover Some Fast Facts About Crystal Rhinestone Bling

Diamantes, Strass, paste, bling, bedazzling crystals. These are some of the names people use for the glittering faux gems that add sparkle to items. In this article, we’ll dive into some fun facts about crystal rhinestone bling. 

Fast Facts About Crystal Rhinestone Bling

Are you as obsessed with bedazzling crystals as we are? Below are a few interesting facts about them:

1. Once upon a time, gem hunters found glittering quartz along the Rhine River. Silicon and oxygen, the elements in quartz, had mixed with lead during formation to produce these highly prized gems.

2. Casper Lehmann, in the early 17th century, began applying gem-cutting processes to glass. Other glassmakers began employing his techniques to produce facets on glass beads.

3. During the latter part of the 17th century, George Ravenscroft discovered that adding lead to glass ingredients produced crystal.

4. In the early 18th century, Georg Friedrich Strass added a foil backing to flatback crystal, enhancing its glittering properties.
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5. About 100 years later, a Bohemian glassmaker invented a machine to cut crystal bling less expensively and faster than by hand.  Daniel Swarovski moved to Austria and opened a factory, revolutionizing rhinestone production. 
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What Gives Rhinestone Bling Sparkle?

Basically, rhinestones are pieces of crystal, glass, or acrylic with facets. Both the material and facets affect the sparkle of the faux gemstone.
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1. Rhinestones Material
Typically, rhinestone manufacturers use one of these materials to create rhinestones:

• Plastic - jelly, resin, acrylic
• Glass
• Crystal

Each material has different reflective and refractive properties, affecting the faux gem’s sparkle. As light hits the rhinestone, some light rays bounce off the facets, giving it that initial shimmer. That’s reflection.

Some light will also enter into the rhinestone. Once it does, it can change direction and bend or refract. This light also bounces back to the viewer from the interior of the faux gem. The more the light bends, the higher the refractive index and the greater the sparkle. Comparatively, materials that allow light to pass through without bending have the lowest refractive index.

Depending on the raw materials and manufacturing processes, some plastics may have reflection properties equal to glass. However, crystal rhinestone bling offers the highest reflection and refraction indices. Moreover, crystal can break up light much like a prism.

What does all this scientific jargon mean when buying rhinestones? When you want the greatest amount of sparkle and glitter, crystal rhinestones are the best choice.
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2. Number of Facets Affect Rhinestone Bling
Name-brand rhinestones, such as Swarovski or Preciosa, begin as a single piece of crystal.  (Note: Swarovski no longer sells loose rhinestones on the retail market.) These companies use high precision machines to laser-cut facets into the crystal. Glass rhinestone manufacturers may laser-cut or mold their products. However, all manufacturers use molds when forming plastic faux gemstones.

​Moreover, the greater the number of facets a rhinestone has, the more sparkle it creates. Facets behave like mirrors, reflecting light to the viewer. High-end crystal rhinestones can have 16 facets, while lesser-known brands may have 8. Comparatively, it is also true that the more facets a rhinestone has, the higher the cost.
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3. Arrangement of Facets
Rhinestone manufacturers arrange facets in different designs around the top of the crystal. These geometric patterns affect the play of light and sparkle. The symmetry and angles of the facets dictate both reflection and refraction.

                            16 facet rhinestone                                             12 facet rhinestone

Ready, Set, Bedazzle!
Did you enjoy our bling facts? Why not share them on social media?
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Of course, if you’re looking to buy rhinestones online, we’ve got you covered! Rhinestones Etc. has a large selection of crystalline products. We offer crystal bling in single gross or bulk rhinestone packaging at competitive pricing and same-day shipping. ​