Rhinestone jewelry will be on exhibit

ZELIENOPLE, Ohio – The Zelienople Historical Society’s Buhl House will host an exhibit on rhinestone jewelry through June.

Rhinestone jewelry never went out of fashion, but the pieces spotlighted in the show at Buhl House are prime examples of styles of half a century ago, with some even older.

Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, buttons, pins and even tiaras, are on display at the 1805 Buhl House, along with a large selection of elegant dresses decorated with the sparkling pseudogems.

Rhinestones are actually quartz pebbles from the Rhine River and were used in Germany and France since the 17th century.

Today, crystal rhinestones are used primarily on costumes, apparel and jewelry, and most are made in Austria and the Czech Republic, while acrylic rhinestones are manufactured in several other countries.

Men’s vintage neck wear and tie tacks and tie pins, the masculine jewelry worn with neckties are also featured in the display.

Remember bow ties? See them at the Buhl House show, too. And combining feminine creativity with the men’s neck wear, don’t miss the several pieces of apparel created from ties.

The exhibit is a part of the traditional tours of 1808 Passavant House and 1805 Buhl House, Zelienople’s two oldest still standing buildings.

Call for a tour. Begin the tour at Passavant House at 1, 2 or 3 p.m. each Wednesday and Saturday, or call 724-452-9457 for information about group tours.