{"product_id":"melbourne-federation-era-paste-ring","title":"Antique Australian Federation-Era 9ct Paste Ring by J. Lawrence Pty Ltd of Melbourne","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMelbourne-Made Crimson Paste Ring\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMade in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNaarm\/Melbourne\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Australia by J. Lawrence Pty Ltd, this charming little ring is a survivor from a city in the midst of becoming itself. Electric trams rattled through the streets, grand Victorian buildings lined the commercial heart of town, and local jewellers supplied a growing population eager for beautiful things.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt its centre sits a gloriously bold crimson paste stone, flanked by tiny tested diamonds and set in gold. The contrast is part of its charm. Delicate shoulders, genuine diamonds and then a vivid flash of red that refuses to be ignored. Sweet, spirited and just a little bit cheeky.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe ring was made by J. Lawrence Pty Ltd of Elizabeth House, now the Galleria on the corner of Elizabeth and Little Collins Streets. More than a century later, the streetscape has changed, businesses have come and gone, and generations of Melburnians have passed through the city. This little ring remains, carrying a small piece of local history with it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt the turn of the twentieth century, coloured paste stones were enormously fashionable. They weren’t chosen because they were trying to be something else. They were chosen because they were beautiful. Their rich colour, sparkle and affordability allowed ordinary people to own something special, and this stone still does exactly what it was made to do: catch the eye and lift the spirit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou don’t need a jeweller’s loupe to see this survivor’s battle scars. The crimson paste stone bears the marks of a long life, each tiny abrasion earned honestly over generations of wear. But a heart of glass doesn’t mean you’re hard-hearted. Compared to rubies, glass is soft and easily damaged - and I imagine this stone, like the owner’s own heart, has loved, lived and made it this far. Still bright. Still beautiful. Still here.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePerhaps that’s why I find this ring so appealing. It doesn’t pretend to be perfect. It wears its history openly. There is a quiet beauty in that, a gentle nod to the Japanese idea of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewabi-sabi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — the understanding that age, imperfection and authenticity can make something more meaningful, not less.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis isn’t the piece for someone chasing perfection or prestige. It’s for the collector who loves old buildings, forgotten stories, second-hand bookshops and objects that connect them to place. The person who understands that the most interesting treasures are rarely the most flawless ones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA little bold. A little romantic. Entirely Melbourne. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetails\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Maker: J. Lawrence Pty Ltd\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Origin: Australia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Era: Early 1900's\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Metal: Solid 9ct gold\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Stone: `Red Glass Paste with small tested diamonds on sides\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Design: Emerald cut center stone with small diamonds shoulder\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Condition: Good condition with wear to center stone consistent with age and use\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy we love it\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e♥ Authentic Australian-made jewellery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e♥ Solid gold, designed to be worn and enjoyed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e♥ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeautiful setting and example of the period\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Refine \u0026 Bloom Vintage Jewellery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44382976704554,"sku":"RB015","price":695.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0708\/8137\/8346\/files\/antique-9ct-gold-crimson-paste-ring-j-lawrence-melbourne-front.jpg?v=1780208788","url":"https:\/\/refinebloom.com\/products\/melbourne-federation-era-paste-ring","provider":"Refine \u0026 Bloom Vintage Jewellery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}