The first rhinestone jewelry was created from actual rock crystals found on the Rhine river. These were quickly depleted, (used as diamond substitutes), and artificial rhinestones were then created from faceted glass.

In the 18th century, a French jeweler named George Frederic Stras had a brilliant entrepreneurial idea. He coated the backs of clear crystals with a metal, forcing the reflection out through the stone itself, creating the sparkly bit we know now as rhinestones. Later, Daniel Swarovski utilized a technique used in cutting gemstones, and the best crystals of today are often thought of as Swarovski crystal.

I personally have nothing against rhinestone jewelry; I think it is fun, and useful for everything from children’s ballet performances to the dancers in Las Vegas. No one today mistakes it for diamonds, and everyone has a right to sparkle!

Gemstones are normally thought of as being in an unpolished state, but not always. The word Jewel, on the other hand most often refers to a piece of jewelry that has been set. In other words, a ring, pendant, earring and so forth. But sometimes these words are used interchangeably. I don’t worry a lot about the nomenclature of things. Plain old easily understood English is the thing for me.

But in some circles, you might have to be very careful about calling something a gemstone or a jewel.

My favorite place to view gemstones in their natural state? The Smithsonian in Washington D.C., of course. Have you ever been there? It is truly a jewelry/gemstone lover’s dream!

I think children’s jewelry is so precious. My little grandniece is not yet one, and her mother (my sister’s daughter) had her ears pierced when she was only 3 months old. Now some people may find that cruel, but Alicia never cried, and she looks so adorable in her little sapphire earrings. (Given to her by her old Uncle Robert, of course. Only the best for my family!)

I think kids should have real jewelry. What I mean is, forget the plastic throw-away, non biodegradable junk that passes for little girl’s jewelry these days. Give your child something that she will be proud to wear, not just as a child, but when she is older as well. Of course a child’s pearl bracelet won’t fit an adult, but she can have it restrung at some point, with pearls added. And it will always have meaning for her.

You may say "What does Robert know, he’s not a dad!" And they would be right in that. But one thing I can say is that children are capable of taking care of quality things, and they will have more meaning for them than junk jewelry. So purchase children’s jewelry that is beautiful and long-lasting.

What do you consider affordable jewelry ? To me, it is when the beauty of the piece is more than worth the price paid for it. I have always loved handmade jewelry. To me, the intrinsic value is in the artist’s work itself. There is something precious about a piece of jewelry that was crafted by an individual, over a period of time.

Now of course, every piece of jewelry has had the human touch applied to it in one way or another. But not all jewelry seems to carry forth the personality of the artist. This site I have linked to has always done that for me.

And over the years, the prices have remained in a range I have always been able to afford. Affordable jewelry? Ah yes. But so much more than that.