Jewellery around the turn of the last century was very democratic due to machine manufacture and the wider availability of non-precious settings and stones. You could easily purchase a fine looking item meant to pass for the real thing, whether in rolled or plated gold, or sterling silver. Since so much Edwardian jewellery was made in platinum, the use of sterling as a doppelganger worked well, and was an affordable alternative.

This bow from Germany is a good example, mimicking the fine platinum settings set with pastes.