Incredible 19th-century drop earrings in solid silver with gold wires, encrusted with sparkling paste diamond stones in a variety of old cuts.The French jeweller Georges Frédéric Strass invented “Paste'' in 1724. True paste is crafted from a special leaded glass that was painstakingly cut and then polished by hand with metal powder until it appeared to shimmer like a diamond. It was an instant success with the chic upper classes of Parisian society and continues to be highly sought after today. Nowadays paste is often used as a generic term to describe costume gemstones.SIZE: 6.5 x 1.4cm.WEIGHT: 11.4g.MATERIALS: Silver, gold, paste gemstones.HALLMARKS/STAMPS: Marked 9CT on the wires and there is a stamp at the bottom on the back of each earring which looks like 980.CONDITION: In excellent antique condition; all stones seem to be original and well matched.ERA: Estimated Edwardian-Art Deco (c.1901-1920s).Antique and vintage boxes photographed are for displ...