For as long as humans have been using gem materials - thousands of years - they have also been concocting imitations for those same gem materials. Paste, or glass, has been used to imitate gemstones since at least ancient Greece, but it was the development of a particular kind of leaded glass in the 1600s that made the material a more convincing simulant for diamonds. Adding lead to the glass (which is formed by solidifying molten silicon dioxide in an amorphous structure) raised the refractive index - that is to say, it made the material far more sparkly. Throughout the Georgian and Victorian era, it was not uncommon for any jewelry lover to have a mix of paste jewelry along with natural gemstones in their collection.

Good antique condition with wear in line with age and use, including visible resizing and visible wear to stone. c1900. Originally manufactured in the UK.

Details:
• 9k rosy yellow gold, stamped and tested
• Size 12 1/8 and can be resized within two sizes (note that culet of stone drops below ring gallery into finger hole)
• One old cushion cut paste (glass) approximately 12.8 x 12.9 x .9.1 mm
• Face of ring measures 14mm wide, 13.9mm across, with a rise of 9.1mm; back of band measures 3.5mm wide and 1.3mm thick
• 7.3g