Black dandy culture took center stage, blending heritage and high fashion
Country music star Glenn Campbell (1936–2017) had a huge hit with 'Rhinestone Cowboy' in 1975. Campbell identified with the song's central theme—struggling hard before making it big— and it became his signature tune.
A country boy at heart, Elvis Presley wore rhinestone early on in his career. His famous white jumpsuits of later years also incorporated rhinestone decoration.
'Rhinestone' teamed Sylvester Stallone with Dolly Parton. The movie's soundtrack featured a dozen or so tracks, nearly all written by Parton. Two songs, 'Tennessee Homesick Blues' and 'God Won't Get You,' made the top 10 in the country music charts.
One of entertainment's most flamboyant performers, Liberace's stage outfits were all about lace, silk, and rhinestone.
Born Nuta Kotlyarenko, Nudie Cohn was responsible for designing decorative rhinestone-festooned costumes for some of the most famous entertainers of his era. He dressed John Wayne, Tony Curtis, Cher, Elton John, and even John Lennon, among many others. He also designed costumes for numerous musical groups, and several films. He's pictured in 1978 with Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton.
Legendary Hollywood actress Audrey Hepburn was also regarded as a fashion icon. She's pictured here in 1955 wearing a mesh hat with rhinestones.
An early 19th-century pocket watch made by William Travers of London crafted from gilt bronze, enamel, and rhinestone.
While promoting her film 'The Barefoot Contessa' (1954), Ava Gardner opted to wear a pair of Delman satin sandals to the picture's premiere. However, she had Chatillon, the jewelers, replace the rhinestone heel and toe with real diamonds especially for the occasion. The slippers were valued at US$25,000. Adjusted for inflation, that equates to approximately $248,000 in 2021.
Pictured is the rhinestone encrusted dress famously worn by Marilyn Monroe at a birthday tribute to President John F. Kennedy on May 19, 1962, during which she sang her own version of 'Happy Birthday' to him.
A dancer wears a rhinestone-studded mask as she greets guests at the Tropicana Las Vegas after the city's famous strip reopened in September 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic.
English actress Kelly Brook arrives at the 2010 Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar Viewing Party in Los Angeles. Her outfit includes rhinestone-encrusted footwear.
Toyota Motor Corp.'s "Deco Prius" was launched in 2009 decorated with rhinestones and crystals.
The dressmaker's craft is perfectly exemplified in this detail from a 1911 evening gown that shows a stitch work of silk, satin, floss, crystal beads, rhinestones, and metallic lace.
Helena Bonham Carter arrives at the 2010 Hollywood Awards Gala in Beverly Hills clutching a handbag shaped like a pair of lips and covered in scarlet rhinestones.
Rihanna wears a shimmering outfit textured with rhinestone at the 2006 MTV European Music Awards in Copenhagen, Denmark.
While the necklace and earrings are pure diamonds, it's high-grade Swarovski crystal that's decorating Paris Hilton's outfit as she arrives at the 2006 Elton John Academy Awards Viewing Party in West Hollywood, California.
A lectern in silver gilt, silver, and rhinestones presented to Pope Pius IX by the directors of the seven major hospitals of Rome in April 1869 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his ordination in 1819. In the center is a representation of the Immaculate Virgin. On the lectern rests a Florentine missal dating back to 1862.
Sparkling rhinestone dog collars are often called diva dog collars. But it's all bling without the bite. Truly pampered pooches wear diamond dog collars.
A model tops off her outfit with rhinestone eye wear at the 2009 Barbie Runway Show during New York Fashion Week.
Singer-songwriter Kelly Rowland shows off her black rhinestone gloves at the 2019 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
A sparkling rhinestone-clad Lady Gaga on stage at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City in 2010.
Rhinestone can be worn as creative body art, and sets off any skin type.
A women's handbag, decorated with rhinestones and metal rivets.
Sources: (Sunmei Button) (Songfacts)
See also: The micro-bag is the latest questionable celebrity trend.
Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson attend the 2019 Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California. Wilson is an accomplished singer and performed at the prestigious country music festival wrapped in rhinestone.
The country music singer-songwriter performs during the 2015 Kacey Musgraves Country & Western Rhinestone Revue in Royal Oak, Michigan. Note the rhinestone guitar strap.
Still only 16 when this photograph was taken, Miley Cyrus arrives on the red carpet at Nickelodeon's 2008 Kids' Choice Awards held in Westwood, California, dressed down in rhinestone.
Any self-respecting rhinestone cowboy will want to kit out his steed with a rhinestone harness.
Pictured: the iconic white rhinestone glove worn by Michael Jackson at the 1983 'Motown 25' television special.
Robert Redford famously appeared in one of Nudie Cohn's floral and rhinestone outfits as rodeo rider Sonny Steele in 'The Electric Horseman.'
Rhinestones have been embellishing clothing and fashion accessories since the 18th century. Essentially imitation diamonds, rhinestones are manufactured either as high-grade crystals or inexpensive glass or acrylic stones, and there are many different types and methods of application. The original rhinestones were discovered as small quartz crystals in the Rhine river in 13th-century Austria, and the location provided a convenient name for these masquerading, would-be gems. Today, sparkling rhinestones decorate celebrities, are featured in song and cinema, and have even turned up on cars, timepieces, and other miscellaneous everyday objects.
Click through and see how an imitation diamond can still add sparkle to your wardrobe.
Rhinestones, feathers, silk, and satin... Josephine Baker—incidentally the first woman of color to star in a major motion picture, the 1927 silent film 'Siren of the Tropics'—wore it all.
The rhinestone's place in fashion and pop culture
How an imitation diamond can still add sparkle to your wardrobe
FASHION Jewelry
Rhinestones have been embellishing clothing and fashion accessories since the 18th century. Essentially imitation diamonds, rhinestones are manufactured either as high-grade crystals or inexpensive glass or acrylic stones, and there are many different types and methods of application. The original rhinestones were discovered as small quartz crystals in the Rhine river in 13th-century Austria, and the location provided a convenient name for these masquerading, would-be gems. Today, sparkling rhinestones decorate celebrities, are featured in song and cinema, and have even turned up on cars, timepieces, and other miscellaneous everyday objects.
Click through and see how an imitation diamond can still add sparkle to your wardrobe.