A gift to prove
his love and to withstand time, a gift promising more than marriage.
His gesture symbolized undying love that was stronger and more
enduring than any other emotion the man could feel, a love so
precious, that its worth is priceless.
A romantic marriage
proposal was thought to be more binding, more compelling and
more powerful, when the man professed his love and his desire
for a union accompanied by a gift. Today, we assume that the
engagement gift would be a portion of the wedding band set, but
that tradition is relatively new. The first, known, engagement
ring was presented to Mary of Burgundy by Archduke Maximillian
of Austria in 1477 beginning a long standing tradition that took
generations to become popular.
For the wealthy,
presenting the engagement gift was a very important part of the
process leading to marriage. There was a time when it was illegal
for all but royalty to own diamonds so many other stones were
used in jewelry with some being heirlooms and others being designed
specifically for the purpose of the engagement gift. Richard
Burton presented Elizabeth Taylor with the amazing Taylor-Burton
pear-shaped diamond as his gift, which later was made into a
necklace. H.R.H. Prince Ranier of Monoco presented the lovely
Grace Kelly with a diamond and pearl parure (necklace, bracelet
and earring set) to profess is love.
Token of Love
Bracelet is inspired by the diamond bracelet designs being made
by the leaders in fine jewelry at the turn of the 20th century.
A central ornament consisting of an oval gemstone or CZ, surrounded
by a series of smaller gemstones or CZs, set and arranged in
the pave´ style. Extending from the central beaded ornament
are Peyote stitch extensions that terminate in beaded, gem or
CZ set end-stone pivots. One pivot leads to another as the bracelet
works its way around the wrist to end with a toggle and loop
closure.
View
additional color palettes...
Skill level: Intermediate to advanced.
Students must be familiar with Peyote stitch.
This is a 1-day
workshop.
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