Originally this term referred to buttons made in precious metals and decorated with precious stones and pearls. Today the real stones have been replaced with much cheaper paste (or rhinestones). They can be decorated with moulded glass of different colours or have a single glass stone in the centre. They are used for decorative purposes.
Houart, 1985
Context:
Strapless, simple, elegant dress with blizzard beading and rhinestones on the top of the bodice and piping around the waist. Simple skirt with modified basque waist and jeweled buttons down the back and cuffed hemline.
