Collection: * Early Era GIA Certified D IF Oval Strass Gemstone Simulated Diamond Laser Inscribed *







~ Georg Friedrich Strass (1701–1773), an Alsatian jeweler, is credited with inventing the rhinestone, known in Europe as “Strass”.
~ In the 1730s, Strass developed a technique to mimic diamonds using lead-based glass—enhancing brilliance with metal foil backing, later replaced by vapor-deposited mirror coatings.
~ His creations were so convincing that he coined the term “Simulated Gemstone”, and was appointed King’s Jeweler by Louis XV of France.
Alchemical Craft
~ Strass used bismuth and thallium to boost refractive qualities and metal salts to alter colors—essentially crafting a palette of faux gems that rivaled nature.
~ The glass formula became a borosilicate blend with potassium, lead, alumina, and arsenic—yielding stones that could mimic diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds.
🏛️ Cultural Impact
~ Strass gemstones became popular among European aristocracy, not just as substitutes but as status symbols in their own right.
~ They were safer to travel with, accessible to the rising middle class, and often used in paste jewelry—a genre that dates back to Ancient Rome and Greece, but flourished in the 18th century thanks to Strass’s innovations.



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* 1.5ct+ GIA Certified D IF Oval Strass Gemstone Simulated Diamond Laser Inscribed *
Regular price $2,400.00 USDRegular price