9ct Gold Paste Pendant on Chain
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, amethyst & diamond bracelet, weight: approx 8.5 grams, size: approx 18 cm length
Art Nouveau 9ct pendant. A 9ct pendant set with two garnet doublets between a fine chain.
Edwardian 9ct four stone turquoise leaf shield pendant on chain together with 9ct six stone turquoise and single diamond floret ring
A garnet, Rhodochrosite and onyx necklace, faceted onyx and garnet beads strung to a carved rhodochrosite flower pendant.