The Victorians were fond of a secret message, and sentiments were often cloaked in layers of symbolism. Different flowers could convey feelings without any words being exchanged at all. So could colored gemstones, and many wealthy people commissioned bespoke jewels spelling loved ones' names. For those Victorians who didn't have a royal jeweler at hand, the most popular sentiments expressed in an acrostic ring were "Regard", "Adore" or "Dearest." The concept spoke to the Victorian interest in wordplay. Were people really saying "regard" to each other? It's unclear, but Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby and Diamond were easy-to-procure and popular gemstones. Here, a very early locket spells DEAR; the cross-hatched raised border is meant to evoke a snake (without having the heavy-handed head of an ouroboros visible).
MATERIALS: 14k gold (tests), 3.8mm old mine cut diamond, 2.5mm x 3.5mm emerald, 3mm x 4mm amethyst, 2.7mm x 3.5mm ruby, glass lens
AGE: c. 1820
CONDITION: Very good - we've had the prongs on all gemstones re-tipped
SIZE: 1 1/8" x 3/8"