Blaire Georgian Pendant

This one-of-a-kind necklace is composed of: Georgian, sterling silver stick pin from the 1700s featuring an old mine cut paste stones surrounding a purple crystal stone. This piece was originally made and sourced in England. This necklace measures a standard 18” on a modern 14k gold chain. THE STORY: The history behind paste diamond stones is unique: the Kimberly diamond mines of South Africa weren't discovered until 1869-71 - making diamonds not as accessible or common. Because of this, jewelers resorted to making their own "Paste" stones as a more common and cost effect alternative to diamonds. These stones were handmade from a crystal compound and polished with metal powder until it shimmered like a gemstone. Paste accessories were the most sought after jewelry of the Georgian era of the 1700s—often dawning royalty, aristocrats, and wealthy alike.