An exhibition dedicated to jewelry and accessories made with rhinestones and faceted steel from the 18th to early 19th centuries has opened at the State Historical Museum in Moscow.
Natural deposits of precious stones are limited, and the processing of natural minerals is often difficult, so the search for alternative solutions had led jewelers to use rhinestones and faceted steel, which were ideal as innovative decorative elements. Due to the variety of shapes and sizes, as well as their bright shine and ability to reflect candlelight, they created the illusion of sparkling jewelry.
With their help, it was always possible to follow fashion trends, as rhinestones and faceted steel were available in unlimited quantities and they could be given any size and shape; such jewelry and accessories even appeared at the court in the Russian Empire. They were not seen as counterfeit, on the contrary, they possessed intrinsic value and, along with other imitations, signified the superiority of man over nature, representing the entire era of the industrial revolution.
The exhibits are displayed as valuable and self-sufficient luxury items.
About 250 unique exhibits from the stocks of the State Historical Museum - most of them showcased for the first time - can be appreciated for their rare beauty and technical perfection, achieved over the past centuries. Among them are jewelry items such as rings, earrings, brooches, medallions, buttons, shoe buckles; fashion accessories such as lorgnettes, spotting scopes, watches, chatelaines, fans; objects of personal piety - crosses, icons and icons; interior items - boxes, candlesticks, censers; richly decorated furniture; as well as orders, ceremonial swords, Masonic signs, and more.
Thanks to these works of art, visitors can take a different look at materials traditionally considered imitative, to be imbued with the world of elegant traditions and the magic of brilliant luxury.
The exhibition will last until February 2, 2026.
Galina Semyonova, Editor in Chief of the Russian Bureau, Rough&Polished
