In 1912, Reginald Pearson made a set of jewellery as an engagement gift for Arthur Jones. The first World War took his life and that of his friend in dramatically different directions.
In 1874, explorer Henry Morton Stanley set off for central Africa with a ring engraved with his name and the expedition dates. Eight years later, the ring resurfaced as a wedding gift from a Congo missionary. Why did Stanley value the ring and how did it match up to his other wedding gifts?
Lockets are jewels of romance and memory. Wearing the image of your lover is a way to keep them close to you. But in some 19th century cases, the wrong picture in a locket revealed adultery and lead to divorce.
In 1901, the young Duke of Manchester bought three imitation pearl necklaces for his new bride, the dollar princess Helena Zimmerman. Why didn’t he pay for them and what does this say about their marriage?
Gifts for bridesmaids were one of the smaller items on the happy couple’s to-do list. However, choosing an appropriate brooch, locket or bracelet was an opportunity for a pretty, thoughtful gift.