How do I care for antique paste jewellery?

Clean these pieces gently with a dry, soft cloth to avoid damaging fragile foil backings behind the stones. Moisture can seep behind closed-back settings and permanently discolour the foil. Keep items stored separately in lined boxes to prevent scratches on the soft glass facets. Avoid immersion in liquid jewellery cleaners entirely.

Were paste stones worn instead of real diamonds?

Wealthy individuals often commissioned paste copies of their actual diamond collections for travel or evening wear to deter theft. The craftsmanship required to cut paste glass meant these items held significant value in their own right. Craftspeople treated paste as a legitimate medium for artistic expression rather than a mere substitute for precious gems. This explains the elaborate gold and silver mountings found on early examples.

How can I tell a Georgian paste piece from an Art Deco one?

Georgian pieces typically feature closed-back settings with hand-foiled stones and heavier silver work often combined with gold. Shoe buckles and large cluster rings dominate this early period. Art Deco items display geometric symmetry, open-back settings, and calibrated coloured paste stones like emerald and sapphire. Platinum-look sterling silver settings and screwback earrings appear frequently in this twentieth-century era.

Can I wear these items every day?

Daily wear requires caution because paste glass is softer than natural gemstones and scratches easily under impact. Delicate filigree and claw settings on antique items demand gentle handling during regular use. Special occasions suit these pieces best, particularly vintage earrings, lockets, and brooches. Checking the security of the stones with a jeweller helps ensure safe occasional wear.

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Vintage Silver Paste Jewellery

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Vintage silver paste jewellery brings together hand-cut stones and precious metal to create the brilliance of fine gems from the Georgian, Victorian, and Art Deco eras.