This large marquise ring is set with a variety of paste stones in various sizes, which were a novelty when the ring was made in the 1760s. All stones are set in silver settings, which helps optimize their brilliance. The marquise setting is held by a branch-like shank, which wavers out into five petals.
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 of the glass, and was able to create a recipe that would give a material that, when faceted, would have a brilliance that replicated diamonds.
Paste became a big hit in the 18th Century. Paste gemstones were not only more affordable than diamonds, but also gave jewellery designers the chance to create far more elaborate designs than previously possible.
When designing jewellery in the 18th Century, you always had to start with the number of natural diamonds at your disposal and work your design from there. With paste, however, you could create far more elaborate pieces, and have the stones cut to match your design. Antique paste jewellery is therefore often very large and exuberant, and you can imagine this ring being centre stage at the parties it would have been worn to.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: US 6.5, UK M 1/2, circumference 53 mm.
The front setting measures 26 x 13 mm.
This ring could be resized if desired.
Weight: 6.00 grams.
Age: Late 18th Century, also known as the Georgian era, circa 1760s.
Material: The ring does not carry any hallmarks but has been acid tested as 9k gold and silver. Please note that this is below the legal gold grade in some countries.
Condition: In good antique condition with some wear, consistent with its age. Since paste is a soft gemstone, most facets have small wear, as you often see in antique paste jewellery. Two of the encircling paste stones have a large chip, which can be seen in the pictures, but these are not very noticeable when worn. There is an old repair visible at the back of one of the petals of the shank.
Please note that the antique box is for display purposes only.