Silver Paste Ring
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.
This item has been included into following indexes:
Visually similar items
18ct yellow gold diamond dress ring, total diamond weight 0.19ct, colour G-I, clarity VS-SI, total weight approx 4.50 grams. Size K (5)
9ct gold ametryne ring. Total weight approx 3 grams
A Waterford Crystal turtle paperweight, etched Waterford with original stock label, length 11 cm
18ct white gold, platinum & diamond solitaire ring four claw set with one brilliant cut diamond on a split claw square tapered collet, with fleur-de-lys motif shoulders, on a low half round tapered band. Weight 3.6 grams. Diamond est approx 1=1.00ct Colour