Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry: The History and Lore of Gems, Charms, and Talismans

Discover the forgotten Victorian meanings behind the gems, jewels, and symbols in our everyday jewelry with this entrancing guide to more than sixty classic motifs.

Hearts, butterflies, and buckles are the stock and trade of today's trendiest jewelers. But did you know that these jewelry motifs, from the heart earrings you bought as a teenager at Claire’s, to the pearl necklace you remember your grandmother wearing, to the hair brooches popular at the Met Gala, take their cues from the Victorian era?

Hearts became trendy when Queen Victoria first began to wear them as part of her mourning wardrobe. Butterflies, an emblem for immortality, were all the rage in brooches. And buckles, symbolizing protection and fidelity, were popularized as the symbol for the underground Victorian society, the Order of the Garter.

Taking readers into the secret history of more than sixty jewelry symbols, motifs, and jewels, Secret Language of Jewelry is the first of its kind—a guide that marries the past and present, helping us better understand our wardrobe choices and allowing us to choose the most meaningful and intentional gifts.

Written in a wry, engaging tone that brings the past to life, this book features stunning art with vivid historic examples of each topic. Armed with this manual, jewelry enthusiasts will be able to decode the hidden significance behind family heirlooms and celebrity wardrobe choices alike. All jewelry makes a statement—Secret Language of Jewelry will empower readers to choose theirs.