Rhinestone
/ˈraɪn.stoʊn/noun
A brilliant imitation gem, originally made of cut glass.
Did you know?Rhinestones were named after the Rhine River because early imitation gems were associated with stones cut from its sands and pebbles, turning a place-name into a symbol of sparkle-by-deception.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Roman era
Latin
Rhenus
“The Rhine River”
Middle High German
German
Rin
“The Rhine”
18th Century
French/German
Rhinstein
“A small shiny imitation gem associated with the Rhine”
19th Century
English
rhinestone
“A cut-glass imitation jewel”
Modern English
English
rhinestone
“A sparkling imitation gemstone, especially used in jewelry and decoration”