The American public has always enjoyed seeing what their First Ladies are up to. The reasoning, beyond simple curiosity, is that perhaps she embodies the times in which she lived in the White House. Some first ladies were style icons, like Jackie Kennedy for instance. Some were admired but also raised eyebrows for their unique style, like Mamie Eisenhower’s signature short bangs.
But whatever the case, it’s always an interesting stroll back in time to catch a glimpse of our former first ladies which helps us understand the era in which they were prominent.
The farthest back we can go is to the first First Lady, Martha Washington. She came into the marriage of our Nation’s first president George Washington as a very well-to do young widow at 28 years old. Although she had 4 children with her former husband, they all died at relatively young ages. She had developed her style from being raised in a most genteel upbringing.
It’s no surprise then, that her jewelry would be cultivated and represent what was in vogue at the time. When she was collecting her jewelry wardrobe, garnets were the thing to own. With a range of tints from deep pinks to purplish-reds, they were probably mined in Bohemia, (modern Czechoslovakia) she owned pieces which were made in England and some displaying a Parisian influence, too.
Her adoration for the lovely stones is evident by the sheer number of necklaces, earrings, pins, hair ornaments and rings she assembled for herself and her daughter, Patsy (1757-1773), in the 1750s to the 1760s.
Garnet’s popularity amongst society matrons was due to a few things that advanced their status. These glittery stones had just enough color to be attractive, yet would be seen as ‘serious’ jewels for proper ladies. There’s nothing frivolous or risqué about these gems. Properly and artistically set, these stones (6.5-7.5 Mohs hardness) could out-sparkle more costly stones of the day (with cutting knowledge of the time) like diamonds.
These shimmering gems continued their most favored status well into the next century. They were the favored stones of the perennially grieving Queen Victoria after her husband’s untimely passing. Looking regal but not ostentatious, garnets folded in nicely amongst Britain’s elite who mirrored Victoria’s preferences during the long Victorian age.
New garnets found throughout the world today keep this stone as a go-to for any lady’s jewel box. Green (uvarovite) garnets add to the variety of garnets available to collectors now.
