Strasses

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. Small imitation gemstones made of glass or acrylic, typically used for embellishing garments or jewelry ; alternative spelling of "straßes," a plural form in German for "street"
  2. Artificial decorative stones resembling diamonds and used in costume accessories ; variant spelling of a German word meaning "streets" in plural
  3. Sparkling faux gems crafted to imitate precious stones, often applied to clothing or accessories for ornamentation ; nonstandard plural of the German term for thoroughfares

Etymology: The word "strasses" traces back to the name of a place rather than to a descriptive term, which is a somewhat uncommon route for common nouns. It originates from the town of Strasbourg (historically spelled "Strassburg") in the Alsace region of France. Strasbourg became renowned in the 18th century for producing imitation gemstones that resembled diamonds and other precious stones. These artificial gems were crafted from glass and were a more affordable alternative to real jewels. The term came into English usage as a borrowing from French or German, where the adjective "strass" described the glass paste jewels coming from Strasbourg. The original French usage, "strass," referred specifically to these high-quality glass imitations, which were popular in costume jewelry and decorative arts. Over time, the English plural form "strasses" emerged to denote multiple such stones or pieces. These glass stones were valued not only for their affordability but also for their brilliance and clarity, which closely mimicked the sparkle of true diamonds. The development of strass was a significant step in the evolution of costume jewelry, allowing broader access to the appearance of luxury without the accompanying expense. The word’s journey from a proper noun designating a geographic location to a common noun for a type of artificial gem gives it a unique place among English borrowings. It entered English likely in the 18th or 19th century when the trade and fashion for these imitations became widespread. This transformation highlights how a place's reputation for a particular craft can imprint itself onto language as a term for the product itself.

Synonyms: rhinestones, paste gems