There are so many nuances to learn about and love when considering Georgian paste jewelry. This necklace has been carefully designed with a series of geometric clusters, centering on a large one, all set with silver collets; but look closely at the paste stones and you will notice small black dots- earning these pastes the collector’s name “black dot paste.”

Emily explains that starting in the 18th century jewelers knew the desirability of a diamond’s culet, a sharp point at the bottom center of the stone that allows for increased light and brilliance. As stone-cutting advanced, this cut became coveted, making it logical for white paste to appear to have culets as well, if it were to accurately mimic diamonds. To achieve this, jewelers fabricated the faux culets by painting black dots on the underside of each stone.

Emily has found it harder and harder to source authentic paste rivières, so she was thrilled to find this example showcasing so many lovely Georgian characteristics.

Probably England, ca 1815