vintage paste in reclaimed sterling

paste stones, or leaded crystal, have been used in jewelry since ancient times. they required great skill & craftsmanship to create. rising to great popularity in the 18th century, even marie-antoinette was an avid wearer of paste jewelry. as crystals became easier to mold & produce, the expensive, time consuming process of hand cutting paste stones has became less common. the paste pieces i present are made by hand in pennsylvania by the incredible designer, Roy Rover. he and his wife Julia set antique & vintage paste stones in custom antique inspired settings fashioned from reclaimed sterling silver to create these limited pieces.