French paste?is a Vintage jewelry term used to describe the practice of using faceted cut glass, cut in the shape of a real gemstone, instead of using real gems. This process, which was developed in the 1700's, created the look of a sparkling gemstone or diamond but cost much less than real stones.

A fantastic pair of?French paste?earrings from the Retro (ca1940) era! Crafted in .835 purity silver, these lovely earrings feature an ensemble of French paste stones that rest in a closed-back setting. With a left and right side, each earring features three?curved rows that are lined with stunning, graduated French paste stones. The rows, which have curled, wave-like appearance, all meet at the base of the earring, where a large, French paste stone is bezel set. Excluding the largest stone, all of the remaining paste stones are prong set and accented by a border of milgrain texture. The back of each earring has a secure hinged clip, perfect for pierced or unpierced ears. These fantastic earrings look beautiful when worn and would make a wonderful addition to any collection!

Measurements: Each earring measures approximately 1/2" wide, a little more than 5/8" tall, and 1/8" thick.

Condition:?The overall condition of the earrings is excellent. Besides normal surface wear, there is no apparent damage to the silver setting or earring clips, which are secure and in good working order. All of the French paste stones are intact and securely set.?There is a natural patina on the surface of the silver, which is a normal characteristic of antique jewelry.