Soiree - Victorian Brass Diamanté Paste Necklace (VICN027)

Soiree - Victorian Brass Diamanté Paste Necklace.  This exquisite necklace is crafted from brass.  Featuring numerous faceted hand-cut foiled back paste diamond gems (antique glass), Victorian styling, and quality craftsmanship.  This Antique necklace is a rivière design (gems around the entire necklace). The rivière also has dangling gems at the front of the necklace.  The clasp is original to the piece and is also adorned by a paste gem.  The gems are closed backed with foiled back hand - cut bright and clear paste gemstones. The clasp is in perfect working order.  The Victorian era necklace looks stunning when worn, a perfect bridal or special occasion necklace, especially for a Soiree!! 

Note: These Victorian necklaces in such pristine condition, completely original, and a wearable length are getting harder to find. Truly a wonderful piece to add to your antique jewelry collection. 

In the history of the United Kingdom, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria's reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. The era followed the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardian period, and its later half overlaps with the first part of the Belle Époque era of Continental Europe.

From a very early period the imitation of gems was attempted. ... Before 1940 most imitation gems were made from glass with a high lead content. Such glasses were called paste because the components of the mixture were mixed wet to ensure a thorough and even distribution.

Brass was introduced around 500 BC. Brass is made from an alloy of Copper and Zinc. Since Zinc is rarely if ever found in its natural state, early on people discovered melting copper and calamine (a zinc ore) yielded a golden colored tarnish resistant metal. 

A soiree is an elegant evening gathering, usually at someone's home. ... Soir means "evening" in French, and soiree is literally an "evening party."

Note: Closed back gems should never be immersed into liquid.  To clean gently wipe down with damp (water only and not saturated ) soft cloth and pat dry with soft cloth. 

Measurements: Necklace 18" 

Stone Size: Paste Diamond Gems  12.00 mm - 6.00 mm -4.00 mm 

Weight: 20.80 grams 

Condition: Excellent     

Origin: Europe 

Date: Circa 1880