What would you choose a diamante brooch or a rhinestone brooch, a diamante necklace or a rhinestone necklace jewellery piece? What is the difference between diamante (also spelt diamonte) and rhinestone? This is something that I have struggled with for years as there is little information around. However I came to the conclusion that it just depends on where you live.
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In the UK, most people would call the above stone a diamante. Originally diamante were used to add sparkle to clothing. Flat backed glass crystals or acrylic diamante that could be sewn onto garments. I am not sure when or why the UK started to call them that also in jewellery. If you lived in the US or Canada you will call the above a rhinestone pendant. So the collection of party clip earrings will have either diamante or rhinestone sparkling decoration - just depending on where you originate from.
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We have used both terms for covering the UK and US markets. But tend to put the later dated (post 1970s) and less sparkling pieces in the diamante name; and the more opulent and higher quality ones in the rhinestone collections. What do you do and what is your preferred term?
