Jewels and the woman: The romance, magic and art of feminine adornmentOstier, Marianne
History
Jewels and the woman: The romance, magic and art of feminine adornment
Ostier, Marianne
Jewelry
A heart-shaped locket may open, to set a picture inside. Gems are cut
heart-shape: the topaz, the amethyst, the diamond. These gems may be set
in a ring, or the ring itself may bear a heart of precious metal. But
remember the warning in the chapter on rings: the ring is a jewel of
binding symbol, and should be given or exchanged only when the tie is
truly close.
_College Days_
Certain occasions in college dictate not only their own jewels but
the manner of their presentation. A sorority or fraternity pin may
be designed with different varieties or qualities of gem, but in all
likelihood there will be one type, and one formal occasion on which it is
conferred upon the happy initiate. Similarly, the Phi Beta Kappa key and
the insignia of other honorary societies are prescribed by tradition and
won by merit.
When a young man and a young woman exchange such pins, however, time is
approaching for the lasting ties. Gift-giving is one of the pleasures
of courtship. On many a night a corsage or a box of bonbons is quite in
place; but more significant, and a richer testimony to one’s love, are
the twin friendship rings, or the farther-progressed lovers’ knots which
can be found in earclips, rings, and brooches.
_The Wedding Day_
The engagement ring marks the promise, the wedding ring marks the
fulfilment. But the wedding ring is a symbol upon which the ages have
set their approving stamp; it is not a gift. Some special token of the
groom’s appreciation and love should warm the heart of the bride.
Tradition suggests a necklace, which in its way is also a binding symbol.
What it is made of depends wholly on the groom. It may be a plain gold
band, or a golden series of little leaves, or of orange blossoms. It may
be of pearls with a diamond clasp; it may be all of diamonds.
Whatever the material of the necklace, it should be of a fashion
appropriate for a maid; nothing heavy, nothing with an air of
sophistication; something of almost fragile grace, suggesting youth and
simple feminine charm.
_For the Bridesmaids_
The matron of honor and the bridesmaids should receive their gifts from
the bride at a luncheon or other occasion, such as the rehearsal, as
close as possible to the ceremony. She will by that time know what they
are wearing and fit her gifts to their gowns. Among appropriate gifts
are gold charm bracelets, disks, cigarette boxes, powder compacts,
lipstick holders, and the like. These should be engraved with the date
of the wedding, the name of the happy couple, and a memorable phrase. If
the jewels are such as have no proper space for engraving, the box that
contains the jewel should be embossed with the initials or name of the
couple, and the appropriate words.
_For the Ushers_
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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