Antique Gold Locket with Pink Stone and Seed Pearls
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
A beautiful cameo locket on chain, 15ct yellow gold, Victorian, the locket of oval shape, domed in profile, centrally mounted with a shell cameo of a Grecian woman in profile, the taupe coloured cameo rope edged in gold, embellished to lower point and top
A gold Krugerrand coin pendant on chain, 18ct yellow gold mounted, centrally set with a 1980 1/4 oz 22ct yellow gold Krugerrand, framed by a cushion shaped mount, suspended from an 18ct yellow gold curb link chain. Coin weight 8.48grams total weight 16.5gr
An 18ct yellow gold pendant and chain with Italian hallmarks. Weight: 30.2g
Victorian gold plated mourning locket & chain. Locket with painted rose pietra dura decoration on black ground. Interior of locket inscribed & dated 1875.