Antique Australian 9ct Gold Amethyst and Pearl Pendant

An antique Australian 9ct gold amethyst and pearl pendant,…
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An antique Australian 9ct gold amethyst and pearl pendant, scroll frame set with an oval cut amethyst and seed pearls (some replaced with faux pearl and small round cut purple paste) suspending a pear cut amethyst drop, back with brooch fitting (missing pin) & Hallmarks for Wilis & Sons, size 60 x 32 mm, on metal chain, wt. 4.9g.

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  • Faux - A French word meaning "false", but when used in decorative arts, the intention is not to deceive, but to simulate the decorative effects of the more expensive material it is imitating. The term " faux bois" meaning "false wood" refers to a furniture item that has been decorated with a marked grain (woodgrain finish)  to imitate a more expensive timber.
  • Paste / Rhinestone / Diamante - Paste (or rhinestone or diamante) is the name given to a coloured glass composition used for imitation gemstones, or to imitation gemstones made of glass.

    Although the technique of glassmaking had been known for thousands of years, but it wasn't until a lead glass with similar optical properties to diamonds were invented by a German jeweller working in Paris (either "Stras" or 'Strasser") in the early 18th century that "paste" gemstones became popular.

    There was no social stigma attached to wearing imitation stones, and they were worn in situations where highway robbery was a possibility. The 18th century settings were of very high quality, equivilent to real gemstone jewellery.

    In the nineteeth century the quality of paste jewellery declined and it has remained the poor cousin to genuine gemstones ever since.

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