When the Prince of Wales, later crowned King George IV of England, laid eyes on the twice widowed Maria Fitzherbert at the Opera it was love at first sight. He was forbidden to marry Maria as she was Catholic. History tells us that George and Maria were wed in secret and that they exchanged miniatures depicting each other’s eyes, set into jewellery, as tokens of their love for one another. Thus began the phenomenon of eye miniatures as keepsakes of love.
Pearls were often used in Lover’s Eye jewellery to create the surrounding border of a brooch or pendant. Their value, purity and rounded perfection were thought to symbolise love itself. Diamonds were typically found only in the most elaborately crafted Lover’s Eye jewellery created for those with exceptional means.
I have created my own limited edition Lover’s Eye jewels using a rare eye lenticulars. I love the playful movement of the lenticular—the cheeky wink—as the jewels moves with the wearer. With a nod to antique Lover’s Eyes, my designs feature pearls and diamonds in abundance, alongside blue sapphire, peridot, citrine and topaz.
