Georgian Paste Stone Ring

The History:

• Eight old cut paste stones in a graduated line mounted in silver-topped 18K gold with beautifully engraved foliate shoulders - a hallmark of quality Edwardian craftsmanship. 
• The Specs:
  • Ring Size: 7.25
  • Metal: 18K gold and sterling silver
  • Stone: Paste

This piece was originally made and sourced in England. Please note this piece shows light wear consistent with age.

THE STORY OF PASTE STONES:

These Georgian stones first introduced in the 1700s still maintain their special luster and sparkle even more than 200 years after their creation. The Kimberly mines of South Africa weren't discovered until the late 1860s. With diamonds not as accessible or commonly in circulation, jewelers resorted to making their own "paste" stones as a more common and cost effect alternative to diamonds. These stones were handmade from a crystal compound and polished with metal powder until it shimmered like a gemstone, then lined with a foil backing that reflected light and allowed the paste stones to be set in enclosed back settings without losing their sparkle. Paste accessories were the most sought after jewelry during the Georgian era of the 1700s.

In the 18th century, jeweler Georg Friedrich Strass improved the look of faux diamonds by coating the lower side of lead glass with metal powder (In many European languages rhinestones are still called “strass” in Georg's honor). In 1730, Strass opened a factory to make his artificial gemstones and by 1734, he received the title “Royal Jeweler.”

The style was for stones to be set with as little visible metal as possible — just a mass of gemstones. This was nearly impossible with real diamonds — they were just too hard to cut and set without visible metals, but paste stones are softer and can be cut so that each stone fits perfectly next to one another. It wasn’t necessarily an easy task. Many jewelers who worked in paste were more skilled than their natural gemstone counterparts. That level of craftsmanship contributed to the appreciation for pastes.