Antique 9ct Gold Brooch with Paste Gemstone Replacement
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- Paste / Rhinestone / Diamante - Paste (or rhinestone or diamante) is the name given to a coloured glass composition used for imitation gemstones, or to imitation gemstones made of glass.
Although the technique of glassmaking had been known for thousands of years, but it wasn't until a lead glass with similar optical properties to diamonds were invented by a German jeweller working in Paris (either "Stras" or 'Strasser") in the early 18th century that "paste" gemstones became popular.
There was no social stigma attached to wearing imitation stones, and they were worn in situations where highway robbery was a possibility. The 18th century settings were of very high quality, equivilent to real gemstone jewellery.
In the nineteeth century the quality of paste jewellery declined and it has remained the poor cousin to genuine gemstones ever since.
Visually similar items
18ct white gold and diamond ring, of cluster design centring three old mine-cut diamonds within a surround of modified brilliant-cut diamonds, the diamonds together weighing approximately 4.75 carats, size M
An Australian 18ct gold brooch, inset with orange and light blue paste. Length 3 cm. Weight 4.g.
An antique diamond cluster ring, centrally set with a principal oval old European cut diamond weighing 0.92ct surrounded by eight further diamonds and fine diamond detail totalling 2.70cts, in 18ct gold and silver, ring size O-P