The Encyclopedia · Stones & materials
Paste
High-quality cut glass, made into fine jewelry in its own right in the eighteenth century.
Paste is a leaded glass cut and set like a gemstone. In the eighteenth century it was not simply an imitation: Georgian paste jewels were finely made, set in silver with foiled backs, and worn by the wealthy. Today good Georgian paste is collected in its own right.
What to look for
Paste is softer than gems, so facet edges are often worn. It should always be described as paste.
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