Victorian 12k Yellow Gold, Star Facet Old Mine Cut Paste, Gold-Tone, and Enamel Stickpin

Paste jewelry is costume jewelry, mainly set with colored and/or colorless glass. During the eighteenth century with the vogue for faceted gems and diamonds, the demand for paste jewelry as an economically viable and stylistically varied substitution reached its height. Historically, due to its low intrinsic value, much of it has survived to serve as examples of past jewelry styles. Paste ended up dwindling in popularity around the 1930s. This stickpin has quite a mystery around it. Due to its black enamel, it could have been a mourning piece that was wildly popular during the Victorian era. It also has been modified at some point in time to be transformed into a stickpin, as the pin itself is not original. The pin is also hinged, meaning that it trembles when worn. The best part about this paste stone? It has a star facet. A "star facet" in an old mine cut that refers to a specific facet on the crown of the stone, usually near the table, that is shaped like a star and plays a key role in how light reflects and sparkles within the stone; in an old mine cut, these star facets are typically smaller and shorter compared to modern brilliant cuts, as they were designed to maximize brilliance under candlelight. Overall this is a great piece for any collector as it combines many great aspects of antique craftsmanship.

• Circa 1870
• One old mine cut paste stone with star facet (6.43 x 5.93 x 4.58 mm)
• Mounting tests 12k yellow gold with gold-tone stickpin (Copper, zinc, and nickel alloy) most likely added later in time.
• Length 2 ⅛ in.
• Estimated gross weight: 1.6 grams
• Good condition, wear appropriate with age including minor scratches
• Enamel in good condition, with very little loss