Acrostic ring
Use of gemstones to spell out words
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History
Acrostic rings were developed in France in the early 19th century by the jewelry company Mellerio dits Meller, and later became popular in England.[3][4] They were given and worn during the Georgian and Victorian eras.[5] Acrostic rings were given as romantic gifts, and their messages were sentimental.[6] Alternatively, they would be used to form a secret message.[3] Some acrostic rings were used as engagement rings.[7]
Acrostic rings have been created and given in later eras, including in the 20th and 21st centuries.[8][9][3]
Variants
Acrostic rings were made with gemstones representing sentimental and romantic words, including the following:
- Dearest – diamond, emerald, amethyst, ruby, emerald, sapphire, topaz. Alternatively, turquoise was used instead of a topaz.[7]
- Regards – ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst, ruby, diamond, sapphire.[10][2] "Regard" was also spelled, with an omission of the sapphire.[3]
- Adore – amethyst, diamond, opal, ruby, emerald.
- Love – lapis lazuli, opal, vermarine, emerald.
French words such as souvenir from se souvenir (to remember) and amitié (friendship) were also represented in acrostic jewelry.[5]
Some acrostic rings represented lovers' names.[6]
The letters of the spelt word come from the initials of some gems' names. Accordingly, stones used for each letter include:
- A: amethyst
- D: diamond
- E: emerald
- G: garnet
- L: lapis lazuli
- O: opal
- R: ruby
- S: sapphire
- T: topaz, tourmaline, or turquoise
- V: vermarine or vermeil (garnet)