Plant paste jewellery item? (8)

I believe the answer is:

shamrock

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'plant' is the definition.
(shamrock is a kind of plant)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for shamrock that I've seen before include "Irish national symbol" , "Clover leaf" , "Sign of first part of 10 [IRISH [SEA]]" , "Native Irish trefoil" , "Irish national emblem" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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