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 you grandmother wearing, to the hair brooches popular at the Met Gala, take their cues from the Victor...