Paste Ring Appraisal

Vintage Costume Jewelry Paste Ring

This item is a vintage-style cluster ring, likely dating from the mid-20th century (circa 1940s-1960s). The ring features a central large round-cut colorless stone surrounded by a halo of smaller round stones in a floral or snowflake-style cluster design. Based on visual cues, the stones appear to be paste (glass) or leaded crystal rather than diamonds, as they exhibit a softer refraction and some visible internal cloudiness. The mount is constructed from a non-precious base metal with a yellow gold-toned plating that shows significant signs of wear and oxidation. The band or shank is relatively thin and has a flat interior profile. Conditioning issues are prominent, including heavy tarnishing and the wearing away of the gold finish on the shank, revealing a darker grey or brassy base metal underneath. The stones are secured in a tiered metal setting with individual prongs, which appear somewhat bent or dirty due to age. No visible maker mearks or hallmarks are discernible from this angle, suggesting a mass-produced costume piece rather than fine jewelry. The overall craftsmanship is consistent with mid-market fashion jewelry of the era, prioritizing the sparkle and floral aesthetic over high-quality material longevity.