James A Jobling (JAJ) took over the Wear Flint Glass Works in Sunderland, UK in 1885. Pyrex was first developed there in 1913 when one of their physicists, Jesse T. Littleton, was asked by his wife Bessie to bring home a replacement for her broken earthenware casserole dish. He brought her a piece of industrial borosilicate glass, nearly unbreakable, and when she tried it for a sponge cake it gave a uniform cake that was easy to remove from the dish.
Pyrex was launched as a commercial product in 1915, and quickly found favour with cooks all over the world.
Crystal Glass (owned by parent company ACI Glass) were the producers of PYREX in Australia from 1926. Up until 1961, all PYREX glassware produced in Australia was clear. After importing opal PYREX from the UK (since 1959), Crown Crystal Glass started production of their own opal PYREX in 1961.
Through the years Crown Crystal Glass has gone through a variety of company name changes, resulting in many pieces of Australian PYREX labelled with various backstamps and some, with nothing at all. The company was named Agee Pyrex until 1963.
The particular piece of kitchenware used for this jewellery was made before 1963. The pattern is named "Star Fruit", and is a real favourite with its clean lines and gorgeous colour.
As with all Goosehouse Designs jewellery, this unique jewellery is individually handcrafted by me in my studio.
The silver in this ring is sterling silver, and is stamped with the .925 stamp.
This oval ring measures 24mm x 20mm x 5mm deep.
The ring is fully adjustable to fit all sizes
Pyrex (Agee), 'Starfruit', oval vintage china ring
The vintage china I use in my jewellery pieces is all recycled from pieces found at garage sales and op. shops, or through vintage dealers, who are happy to pass on some of their less-than-perfect items. I carefully cut out the selected section of china, shape it by hand, then grind the edges nice and smooth. I securely fix the piece into the sterling silver blank, then grout it so it stays firmly in place.
As with all artisan jewellery, some care needs to be taken to keep your piece in as-new condition.
The vintage china in your piece may well be up to a hundred years old, and needs to be treated accordingly. It is not recommended that you swim or shower whilst wearing your jewellery, nor that you wear it gardening or playing sport or any other activity where the item may get badly knocked. China is breakable, after all.
The sterling silver ring is easily adjustable, but care must be taken not to bend the ring band too quickly or too sharply. As with all metals, if they are worked roughly they may break.
The sterling silver bezel will enjoy a regular simple polish with a quality silvercloth. If you do use silver polish, do not get it on the china or the grout. Do not use strong chemicals on your jewellery.