About This Artifact
A small black faceted disc of paste glass, recovered from the round stone feature on Lot 5. The piece is shaped as a low-domed cabochon with hand-cut facets across the crown, the technique used to imitate a cut gemstone.
XRF analysis by Emma Culligan identified the material as lead-rich flint glass, the same composition used for high-quality paste jewelry in 18th-century Europe. The black colour comes from manganese and calcium added to the melt. Traces of tin survive around the rim, residue from the metal setting or fastener that originally held the stone.
The composition is identical to a clear paste diamante recovered from the same feature, dated by gemologist Jeffrey Bilgore and John W. Ford Sr. of the American Gem Trade Association to between 1730 and 1775. The technique points to a European origin, possibly England, France, Spain, Portugal, or Italy.
Paste diamantes of this period were used in costume jewelry, worn as personal adornment, or sewn directly onto heavy fabric such as ceremonial dress, ecclesiastical garments, or military uniforms. The presence of this piece on Lot 5 places someone wearing or transporting fine 18th-century European dress at the location during the working life of the stone feature.
Historical Context
The Curse of Oak Island, Season 13 Episode 8 "Into The Fold" (2025)
Where It Was Found
Found at Lot 5 round stone feature — Oak Island, Nova Scotia, Canada.
