This may seem a strange glass collectible, but, when you consider how much rhinestone jewelry has been sold over the past decades, and how many people probably threw it away, preserving this facet (pun, sorry) of glass is probably needed. Heaven knows how many I bought my mother during my youth, and how many she has kept. (I was always surprised when Christmas arrived, and sparkly things have always caught my eye.)

So, where to start? As always, let your family and friends know you are starting a collection and let them give you what they have hidden away. Keep sets together, especially is the original box is holding them. Arrange the rest in classifications, like type of jewelry, color, maker (if you can find a mark) or whatever seems fair. This first organization will probably change over time, so there is no need to spend a lot of time on deciding how to begin.

Look at the pieces you have, and see which ones seem more interesting. Then you can start looking for information, both published and online, to see what is out there and what you have. Join a club or two if possible. One f the things yu want advice on is how to clean vintage rhinestone jewelry. Do not try to clean your pieces until you are sure how to do so without removing finishes, etc. At this point, better dirty than ruined by over-cleaning.

Ready to expand you collection? Flea markets, garage sales, thrift stores and other resale shops are the place to start. Then you can look at antique stores and auctions. As always, record your acquisitions, even the free ones, and save as much information as possible. You might also take notes on everything you learn, because some day your memory may be as bad as mine, and you will value those notes. Include the source of the information.

Find companies that are currently making rhinestone jewelry and see if you can get on their mailing list. If not, see if you can find out a store in your are that carries their product, and let the store owner know that you are interested in the modern rhinestone jewelry. If you spend some money at the store, the owner may be more willing to pass on materials from the maker when it goes out of date.

Am I going to collect vintage rhinestone jewelry. You bet, as soon as my mom returns what I bought for her to me. Alas, it is almost old enough to be vintage. And I shall go on from there. After all, rhinestone jewelry is a glass collectible.

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