Gold Paste Earrings
These gold paste earrings combine historical metals with brilliant glass stones, offering the genuine sparkle of antique jewellery without the diamond price tag.
Gold Paste Earrings
The materials span silver, 9ct gold, 15ct rose gold, and gilt settings alongside paste stones, glass paste and rock crystal. Pieces often arrive as part of larger suites or sets that include matching pendants and brooches.
Earring configurations range from screwback and lever back fastenings to traditional hook wires and posts. The historical periods represented stretch from the 1700s through the early twentieth century, showing shifting tastes in precious metal and stone arrangement.
How they were made
Goldsmiths utilised combinations of silver and gold, frequently mounting silver collets on gold backs to ensure diamonds or paste stones sat against a bright white metal. This traditional technique preserved the brilliant appearance of the stones while maintaining the structural warmth of gold.
Stones were hand-cut from glass paste and often foil-backed to intensify their reflective qualities under candlelight or gaslight. Master artisans also incorporated delicate wirework, granulation and cluster settings as seen in Victorian Etruscan Revival and floral motifs.
Gold Paste Earrings Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for gold paste earrings among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the precision of the stone-cutting and the integrity of the foil backing behind each paste gem. Superior examples display crisp faceting and secure collet settings that hold every glass stone firmly without excessive adhesive.
The richness of the gold alloy and the complexity of the metalwork distinguish standard pairs from exceptional ones. Elaborate Etruscan Revival detailing, well-matched coloured paste stones, and intact original hook or screwback mechanisms elevate a piece.
Knoll & Pregizer
The Gold Paste Earrings Glossary
- Dormeuse
- A type of antique earring designed to be comfortable enough to sleep in. They typically feature secure lever back or close-fitting closure mechanisms.
- Black Dot Paste
- A Georgian technique where a tiny dark spot is painted on the back of the foil behind a paste stone to mimic the culet of a real mine-cut diamond.
- Collet
- A band of metal that encircles a gemstone to hold it in place within the setting. In older pieces, these are often rubbed over by hand.
Gold Paste Earrings: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert these earrings for pierced ears?
Many historical pairs feature screwback or clip fittings suited to non-pierced lobes. Conversion is technically possible but alters the original structure and collectible status.
Consult a specialist jeweller before making changes. Preserving original mechanisms maintains the integrity of Georgian and Victorian pieces.
Did Victorians wear paste jewellery?
Victorian society embraced paste jewellery for everyday wear and fashionable evening events. Skilled artisans produced intricate floral clusters and drop earrings using these simulated stones.
High-status individuals wore fine paste alongside genuine gems without hesitation. The craftsmanship matched the standards applied to precious stones of the era.
What does foil-backed mean?
Foil-backing involves placing a thin sheet of reflective metallic foil behind a glass paste stone. This technique enhances the brilliance and colour depth of the gemstone simulation.
Historically, this method made stones catch the light in dim interiors. It requires careful protection from water and humidity today.