Vintage Paste Earrings
Vintage paste earrings are finely wrought period jewels set with brilliant glass stones, prized for their dazzling sparkle and exceptional historical craftsmanship.
Vintage Paste Earrings
When you search for vintage paste earrings, you encounter an array of sparkling period jewels spanning several centuries and distinct decorative movements. These pieces range from delicate drops to elaborate multi-stone clusters designed to catch the light.
The versions you are most likely to meet on this page hail from the Victorian era, the Edwardian period, and the Art Deco years of the nineteen-twenties and nineteen-thirties. You will find them configured as screwback earrings, chandelier drops, and matching sets paired with necklaces or brooches.
The materials span silver and gold alongside glass paste, rock crystal, faux pearls, and occasional gemstones such as garnet, citrine, amethyst, and opal. Styles draw heavily upon Victorian Etruscan Revival aesthetics and geometric Art Deco designs.
How they were made
Master jewellers constructed these earrings using combinations of silver and gold, frequently setting hand-cut glass paste stones into closed or open-backed metal mounts. Foil linings were often placed beneath the glass stones to intensify their reflection and colour.
Makers utilised techniques such as fine wirework, enamel detailing, and secure prong settings to hold individual paste stones in place. Screwback mechanisms and standard posts were later integrated to accommodate changing fashions in ear fastening.
Vintage Paste Earrings Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for vintage 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
The distinction between ordinary and exceptional examples rests upon the precision of the stone-cutting and the integrity of the metalwork. Hand-faceted paste displays a sharp, convincing brilliance that mimics genuine gemstones closely.
Superior construction involves robust settings where each glass stone sits level and secure without excessive glue or clumsy claw work. The complexity of the design, whether geometric Art Deco symmetry or intricate Victorian revival detailing, also dictates the overall calibre.
Knoll & Pregizer·Kordes & Lichtenfels·Ciro
The Vintage Paste Earrings Glossary
- Paste
- Hand-cut and polished lead glass designed to imitate diamonds and coloured gemstones. It has been utilised in fine jewellery for centuries.
- Screwback
- A type of earring fastening featuring a threaded post and a small screw mechanism. This allowed non-pierced ears to wear substantial drop earrings securely.
- Demi Parure
- A matched set of jewellery usually consisting of earrings and a brooch or a necklace. They were designed to be worn together for formal occasions.
- Chandelier Drop
- An elaborate earring design featuring tiers of cascading stones that hang below the earlobe. They catch the light from multiple angles.
Vintage Paste Earrings: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I wear screwback earrings without pierced ears?
Screwback earrings are designed to be adjusted by turning the small threaded screw on the back until the paddle rests comfortably against the back of the lobe.
Take care not to overtighten the screw, as this can cause discomfort during extended wear. They offer a secure and adjustable fit for non-pierced lobes.
How can I tell a Victorian pair from an Art Deco pair?
Victorian pairs often feature warmer gold tones, garnet or citrine accents, and intricate Etruscan revival wirework or foil-backed stones.
Art Deco pairs lean towards geometric silver settings, jade glass, and Amethyst or sapphire paste arranged in clean, symmetrical lines typical of the nineteen-twenties.
Can I wear vintage paste earrings every day?
Paste glass is softer than mined gemstones and can be scratched or damaged if subjected to rough daily wear or harsh chemical cleaning agents.
It is best to treat these historical pieces with care, putting them on after applying perfumes or cosmetics and storing them individually to protect the delicate metalwork and stones.