Antique Brooches

Vintage rhinestone jewelry emerged during the 1920s and remained popular up to the 1940s. Today they are highly valued pieces of jewelry. If you are interested in starting a collection, here are some reminders.

Learn the Facts

Learn as much as you can about it. Start by knowing the variants, the history, and the designers associated with rhinestone. The more you know, the more refined your purchases will be and the less chance you’ll end up with a fake.

Decide What to Collect

There are many options to choose from like Art Deco, animal themes, brooches, necklaces and other period pieces. You can collect a little bit of everything or perhaps concentrate on certain pieces, like necklaces perhaps, or brooches.

Check Online and Real Stores

You can buy rhinestone necklaces, brooches and other jewelry in many online stores. Don’t forget to look at auction sites as well. You can find some vintage yet reasonably priced jewelry there. Of course, brick and mortar jewelry stores are always a good option.

If you have friends or relatives that sell rhinestone pieces, you should see what they have. Other places where you can find good jewelry are estate sales, garage sales and even the flea market.

Tips for Buyers

Signed and unsigned rhinestone pieces are both valuable. Quality is what sets a good rhinestone piece apart from a poor one. To have a good collection, make sure you only buy quality jewelry from reputable stores and trustworthy sellers.

How to Clean Vintage Rhinestone Jewelry

Required Materials

Glass cleaner
Jewelry cleaner (made for rhinestones)
Soft polishing cloth
Cotton swab
Compressed air spray
Alcohol
Soft brush

Step 1

Use the compressed air spray to remove the dirt between the metal and the rhinestone. If that doesn’t remove all the dirt, proceed to step 2.

Step 2

Use a soft polishing cloth to remove the dirt. You can also use the cloth to get rid of skin moisture on the rhinestone as well as eliminate perfume and cleansers on it.

Step 3

For stubborn dirt, use a cotton swab dipped in a glass cleaner. Rub the rhinestone surface. Rub it gently. When the dirt is removed, wash the rhinestone with water. Rinse it well.

Step 4

You can also try alcohol. Apply a bit of alcohol on the cotton swab and clean the rhinestone. Do not apply any liquid on the metal. This may cause discoloration or remove the protective coating. After cleaning the rhinestone, wipe it with a clean soft cloth and rinse with water. Let it dry completely.

Step 5

If there is dirt on the rhinestone and metal, use a jewelry cleaner
made specifically for it. Use a soft brush and take care not to apply too much of the cleaner. Use a jewelry box to keep the rhinestone safe and clean.

Starting a vintage rhinestone jewelry collection can be an exciting pursuit and a worthwhile investment too. By taking care to buy only quality pieces and providing proper maintenance, they can be dazzling showpieces that are truly worth displaying.

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