An acrostic ring is a Georgian and Victorian romantic 19th century ring in which the initials of the precious stones mounted on the band spell out a word, in an acrostic style. These words included "dearest" and "regards" and were often sentimental. Alternatively, they would be used to form a secret message.[1]
The most common forms in their designs are either as a straight line with stones arranged to spell the intended word across the band, and octagonal or floral shapes.
Dearest ring edit
The word "dearest" is spelled out with the first letter of each of the following seven stones:
Regards ring edit
On a regards ring, the initials of the precious stones mounted on the band spelled out the word "regards" with the following stones:[2][3]
"Regard" was also spelled, with an omission of the sapphire.[1]
Others edit
Other terms of affection spelled out in gemstones include adore (amethyst, diamond, opal, ruby, emerald), and love (lapis lazuli, opal, vermarine, emerald), Other terms of affection found in rings include the French souvenir. Later variations included the spelling of another word or a person's name.[citation needed] In some cases paste gems were use rather than precious stones.[4][5][3] [6]
Traditionally, these rings, though seen as romantic and tokens of love, were not given as engagement rings.
References edit
- ^ a b Beckett, Kathleen (2022-01-24). "Jewelry That Really Spells It Out". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
- ^ Boyd, L.M. (13 April 1994). "Regarding a "regards ring"". Ellensburg Daily Record.
- ^ a b Tolkien, Tracy; Wilkinson, Henrietta (1997). A Collector's Guide to Costume Jewelry Key Styles and how to recognize them. Firefly Books. p. 49. ISBN 1552091562.
- ^ Tolkien, Tracy; Wilkinson, Henrietta (1997). A Collector's Guide to Costume Jewelry Key Styles and how to recognize them. Firefly Books. p. 47. ISBN 1552091562.
- ^ Boyd, L.M. (13 April 1994). "Regarding a "regards ring"". Ellensburg Daily Record.
- ^ Carter, Alan. "Treasure Hunter with Alan Carter: Dearest Ring". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 2013-06-04. Retrieved 2013-06-08.