What is a rhinestone? Rhinestones are named after sparkling quartz pebbles once found on the banks of the Rhine River in Europe. It's said that these pebbles had a high lead content, which enlivened the brilliance beyond the average quartz stone.

Is a rhinestone better than a diamond?

Rhinestones Are Softer than Diamonds

Because they are not as hard as diamonds, rhinestones are much easier to scratch, and over time, these scratches accumulate on their surface. Diamonds, on the other hand, are nearly impossible to scratch from everyday wear (they can chip if hit too hard, though).

Why are rhinestones so expensive?

Many vintage pieces tend to be expensive because fewer were made ("mass production wasn't as mass," Tolkien notes) and they were of higher quality than much of the costume jewelry made today. For instance, "old rhinestones are usually worth more than new ones because the quality was better," says Kovel.