Keshi Pearl & Paste Ring in 9ct White Gold
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.
- Keshi Pearls - Keshi is a Japanese word meaning 'poppy seed', but not an indicator of the true size of the pearl. But keshi pearls are small, and are usually irregular in shape. They are sold by weight rather than size as is usual with pearls. Originally a by-product of pearl farming, most Keshi pearls are now deliberately cultivated.
- 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 impressive lady's 14ct. white gold ruby and diamond cluster dress ring, the central 2.85ct. oval standard mixed cut natural ruby held in a 4-claw setting above an undulating wide band of 28 channel set baguette cut diamonds totalling 0.95ct., three smal
9ct yellow gold carnelian intaglio seal ring with engraved initials and a 'Rampant lion'. The seal belonged to the vendors grandfather and it was then remodelled by Allen stamped 'A' 9ct
A pearl and diamond dress ring, a 10.5 mm South Sea cultured pearl centre, accented with six bezel set round brilliant cut diamonds of estimated total weight 0.20 carats on a woven wire band. 18ct rose and white gold. Weight 7.5 grams. Ring size M.
A pair of mabe pearl earrings, Tiffany & Co, 18ct yellow gold, post and clip attachments, diameter 25 mm, original box.