DATE: Georgian, c.1810

These Georgian paste earrings date from from the early 19th Century, circa 1810. The teal coloured stones rest in foil-backed settings, a technique employed to reflect the light back through the stones, brightening them and making the colour pop - in this case with stunning effect. Hand made in England many, many moons ago. 

In the 18th and 19th centuries paste gems could command as much (if not more) than natural gemstones, on account of the technology being so new and that the stones could be the "ideal" colour and completely clear and free from inclusions. The medium is usually highly polished leaded glass, with minute amounts of certain metals added to give colour – the technique was perfected by Georges Frédéric Strass in 1724.

STONES 

Teal Paste Gemstones

MEASUREMENTS 

Drop: 2.4cm (from tops of wires)

Width: 1.3cm

WEIGHT 

6.9g

MARKS 

No marks present, tests as sterling silver

CONDITION 

Very good, some light wear commensurate with age. Converted from a pendant so ear wires are later additions