The Secret Language
of Antique and Modern Jewelry
There
is more to jewelry than you might at first imagine, that goes
far beyond the metallic or mineral aspects of its physical
beauty. Since ancient times lovers and mourners have given
and worn precious metals and stones to convey sentiments of
love, passion and remembrance.
Perhaps often unknown by the giver, certain arrangements of
gems in jewelry are said to convey extra special meanings,
many of whose origins have been lost in the mists of time.
The Victorians, in particular, enjoyed jewelry that conveyed
hidden meanings or words of endearment. For example, a bracelet
or ring set with a Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby and
Diamond, would spell out the word "Regard", from the first
letter of each gemstone.
These tables demonstrate some of the well established and
traditional hidden messages that certain arrangements of jewelry
represent.
Plants
and Flowers
|
Meanings
|
Forget
me not |
True
love. Love in separation. |
Daisy |
Innocence. |
Ivy
leaves |
Fidelity
and marriage. |
Laurel
leaves |
Triumph.
Love conquers all. |
Ferns |
Sincerity. |
Lily-of-the-valley |
Sweetness. |
Sweet
pea |
Goodbye. |
Lilac |
First
love emotions. |
Violets |
Modesty. |
Poppy |
Health
and success. |
Yellow
Poppy |
Wealth
and success. |
Rosebuds |
The
growth of love. |
Acorns |
Life
and immortality. |
Pansies |
Think
of me. Thought. Thinking of you. |
Miscellaneous
Items
|
Their
Meanings
|
A
ring |
A
circle of love without end. |
Diamond |
Forever.
Forever love. |
Pearls |
Innocence. |
Gold |
Enduring
love. |
Salamander |
Fire.
Passionate love. |
Butterflies |
Psyche,
the Greek goddess of the soul. |
Snowflake |
Uniqueness. |
Fish |
Wealth.
Protection from evil. |
Clasped
hands |
Lasting
love and friendship. |
Doves |
The
goddess Venus. Peace |
A
bow |
The
Herculean knot. Strength. |
Rubies |
Passion. |
Frog
or lizard |
Wedded
bliss. |
Snake
(when biting its tail) |
Eternal
love, forever recycling itself. Eternity. |
Anchor |
Stability
and balance. |
|