An Australian 9ct yellow gold red paste gemstone ring made by…
click the photo to enlarge
An Australian 9ct yellow gold red paste gemstone ring made by Hoffnung & Co, Sydney. As seen in Australian Jewellers by Cavill, Cocks & Grace, plate no.137

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.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • 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

An Australian 9ct yellow gold garnet ring one round garnet, made by T. Willis & Co, Melbourne

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

18ct single diamond band ring gypsy set

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

An Australian 9ct yellow gold ring engraved with Dorrie made by J. Hart, Adelaide

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Diamond bangle, 18ct yellow gold hinge design with a central white gold setting containing five single cut diamonds, snap lock clasp. Weight 21 grams

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.