Definition: an iridescent rhinestone finish developed by Swarovski (a maker of fine rhinestones and Austrian crystals still in business and known for their quality today) in 1955; these rhinestones were widely used in costume jewelry manufacture in the late 1950s and early 1960s in numerous colors; sometimes attributed erroneously to earlier beads made with an iridescent or referred to as carnival glass in error
Pronunciation: ah-roar-ah bor-e-al-us
Examples:
Amber learned that her grandmother's rhinestone bracelet was worth less than expected because the aurora borealis finish was heavily scratched and worn.
