Until the eighteenth century, gems and jewelry were worn only by the wealthy. That changed in 1730, when “paste,” a glass that could be cut and polished to resemble gemstones, was invented. It was often backed with foil to make…
Rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds have been among the most precious gems down through the ages. They have been favorite stones because of their color, rarity, light-reflecting qualities, and hardness. Many other gemstones are found in old jewelry. They are…