Victorian Acrostic Rings

Find out about Victorian Acrostic Rings here!

Codes, puzzles, secret messages, personalized jewellery... We've become obsessed with the idea of wearing and sending personalized messages, inside jokes and 'text speak'. What you may not know is that this idea of hidden messages in jewellery actually has a history dating back to the end of the Georgian and beginning of the Victorian period.  Jewellers used the first letter of gemstones to create words, commemorate important dates and share inside jokes between the giver and receiver of these rings.  These were called Victorian Acrostics. 

The unique combination of gemstones became so popular during the Victorian era that people began to recognize and attempt to read one another's ring messages.  The most popular rings spelled out 'adore', 'regard' and 'dearest'. The first ring in this style was created by Jean Baptiste Mellerio for Marie Antoinette whose ring spelt out j'adore. Another notable figure, Napolean Bonaparte, decked both himself and his wives in rings that used this system to commemorate import dates and events in his life. Versions of this code were created with stones on different rings for stacking, on bracelets so that longer words could be written and on brooches.

Come in to Cynthia Findlay's to see our collection of Victorian Dearest and Regard rings, or to see us about having your own message made into jewellery for someone special.  Don't you just Lapus - Opal - Variscite - Emerald that idea?

Happy Antique & Vintage Mother's Day Shopping

Mother. Mom. Mammy. Ahm. Majke. Ma. Matre. Mutter. Maman. Mommy.

Regardless of how you address 'Mother', every translation means Love. This Mother's Day give the mom in your life a gift that she'll truly love, something as individual and rare as she is. We've made it easy for you with the vintage mothers day guide.

Our Favourite Suggestions (Mother's Day Gift Guide Link):

Vanity - Sterling hand mirrors. Lovely on top of a dressing table, a sentimental reminder of her own mother or as a reflection of her inner and outer beauty.

Sterling and Crystal Containers - Perfect for her vanity table or bathroom these containers can be filled with jewellery, makeup or scent essentials. As an added bonus why not pick up a piece that's already monogrammed with an 'M' for 'Mom'.

Jewellery - One can never have enough jewellery. We've picked out a few favorites that are unique and stunning, but won't break the bank.

Eternity Bands - Your mom will love these.

Compacts - Purse sized daily reminders that her family loves her.

Sterling Tea Strainers - Who doesn't enjoy the idea of tea and cookies with mom or grandma? Make tea time into a fancy party with a beautifullyengraved vintage tea strainer.

View Full Tea Sets Here

For all the Mothers, Grandmothers, Stepmothers, Aunts and Motherly figures in our lives: Happy Mother's Day. Thank you for your love and support. 

We appreciate you today and always.

Gatsby, Revived – Art Deco Rings

What's Shopping For Art Deco Rings Like?

Shopping for Art Deco Rings is like dipping a finger into The Roaring Twenties or even into the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald. These Art Deco rings are unique and the epitome of luxury jewellery - they feature geometric designs with fine details. The beautiful aesthetic of this art movement is fueled by a demand for glamour; if there is joie de vivre, there must be Art Deco. Art Deco jewelry represents a hunger for fashion, style and life. In more recent years it has gained popularity in the celebrity world of engagements, both Pippa Middleton and Scarlett Johansson wear Art Deco rings as a symbol of their found love.

To See Art Deco Rings Click Here.