A heart-shaped locket may open, to set a picture inside. Gems are cut heart-shape: the topaz, the amethyst, the diamond. These gems may be set in a ring, or the ring itself may bear a heart of precious metal. But remember the warning in the chapter on rings: the ring is a jewel of binding symbol, and should be given or exchanged only when the tie is truly close.
College Days
Certain occasions in college dictate not only their own jewels but the manner of their presentation. A sorority or fraternity pin may be designed with different varieties or qualities of gem, but in all likelihood there will be one type, and one formal occasion on which it is conferred upon the happy initiate. Similarly, the Phi Beta Kappa key and the insignia of other honorary societies are prescribed by tradition and won by merit.
When a young man and a young woman exchange such pins, however, time is approaching for the lasting ties. Gift-giving is one of the pleasures of courtship. On many a night a corsage or a box of bonbons is quite in place; but more significant, and a richer testimony to one’s love, are the twin friendship rings, or the farther-progressed lovers’ knots which can be found in earclips, rings, and brooches.
The Wedding Day
The engagement ring marks the promise, the wedding ring marks the fulfilment. But the wedding ring is a symbol upon which the ages have set their approving stamp; it is not a gift. Some special token of the groom’s appreciation and love should warm the heart of the bride. Tradition suggests a necklace, which in its way is also a binding symbol. What it is made of depends wholly on the groom. It may be a plain gold band, or a golden series of little leaves, or of orange blossoms. It may be of pearls with a diamond clasp; it may be all of diamonds.
Whatever the material of the necklace, it should be of a fashion appropriate for a maid; nothing heavy, nothing with an air of sophistication; something of almost fragile grace, suggesting youth and simple feminine charm.
For the Bridesmaids
The matron of honor and the bridesmaids should receive their gifts from the bride at a luncheon or other occasion, such as the rehearsal, as close as possible to the ceremony. She will by that time know what they are wearing and fit her gifts to their gowns. Among appropriate gifts are gold charm bracelets, disks, cigarette boxes, powder compacts, lipstick holders, and the like. These should be engraved with the date of the wedding, the name of the happy couple, and a memorable phrase. If the jewels are such as have no proper space for engraving, the box that contains the jewel should be embossed with the initials or name of the couple, and the appropriate words.