These silver cluster earrings are set with an array of paste jewels, which have been faceted to emulate diamonds: if you look closely, you'll notice each one has a black dot in the middle, emulating the faceted tip or culets that antique diamonds used to have.
The term 'paste' is now generally used for a specific type of faceted glass gemstones that was developed by George Friedrich Strass in the 1720s. Glass material has been used in jewellery since glass was invented millennia ago, but Strass experimented with the lead content and created a recipe that created a brilliance that replicated diamonds. This not only gave ladies a more affordable option to diamond jewellery, but it also allowed jewellery designers the chance to create outspoken, elaborate designs that were more difficult to make with natural diamonds.
Today, paste jewellery is still treasured and valued by a large group of antique jewellery lovers, who enjoy the unique look of these stones. The backs of these earrings have two little hooks, indicating that they would have originally had removable drops, making them suitable to wear in different ways.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: 23 mm long from hook to tip, the clusters are 16 mm in diameter.
Weight: Combined 5.20 grams.
Age: 18th Century, also known as the Georgian era, circa 1760s.
Material: Acid tested as being silver.
Condition: In good antique condition with only minor wear, consistent with age. There are some small dents at the back of each earring.
Please note that the antique box is for display purposes only.