Rhinestone
rhine·stone | ˈrīn-ˌstōn
noun
A faceted stone made of glass
Rhinestones date back hundreds of years, when simulated diamonds were made with rock crystal or quartz. Starting in the 19th century, rhinestones were created with crystal glass and eventually with polymers like acrylic. Several different forms of simulated glass were developed in the late 19th century and early 20th century and were popularly used as imitations of diamonds, because they were able to in many cases capture light and glisten like diamonds. They are commonly used on costumes for which the high volume of stones needed require a simulated alternative, though rhinestones have also been used in jewelry and everyday apparel. While not as common as they were in the past, rhinestones remain common in popular culture.