Inquiring Readers, Mr Malcolm Coles contacted me a little over a month ago regarding “A Guide to the Jewellery of Jane Austen”, written by Talia Wallis, March 16, 2024 and found on his website at antiqueringboutique.com. Her article begins with this introduction:
Jane Austen is a legend of British literature. Over 200 years after their publication, novels like Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility continue to enchant readers worldwide. Likewise, the late Georgian Regency era in which Austen lived remains widely used in popular culture.
But Austen’s legacy extends far beyond her gripping tales. Her style — particularly her jewellery — is popular with fans and collectors. In particular, a turquoise ring that belonged to Austen has gained an almost mythical reputation. This piece, alongside a collection of her remaining jewellery, offers us a unique glimpse into the everyday life of a literary icon.
Coles discussion centers on the fashions in Austen’s time; what Regency jewelry was like (this description is accompanied by a YouTube video of a talk given by Carrie Wright at a JASNA conference in 2015 entitled “The Socio-Political Powers of Jane Austen’s Jewelry, and the Jewelry in Austen’s Novels”; the jewelry Austen wore; her famous turquoise ring, its provenance, and how the Jane Austen Museum raised funds to acquire it from American singer Kelly Clarkson, who had outbid others to purchase the ring; the topaz necklaces the Austen sisters received from their youngest brother, Charles; and more. Find the article at this link to The Antique Ring Boutique. Estimated reading time: 6 – 10 minutes
Please click on this link to directly view the video (36 minutes).
More about Austen’s jewelry:
Ring image: Sotheybys auction, downloaded from antiqueringboutique.com
- “Jane Austen’s Ring”: Jane Austen’s House Museum
- “The Saga of Jane Austen’s Ring, and the American Connection”, Tony Grant, Jane Austen’s World, 2013
- “Unbearably Fine: The Socio-Political Powers of Jewelry in Jane Austen’s World”, Carrie Wright, JASNA, 2015
- “Changing Tastes in Georgian Jewelry” – Jane Austen Articles and Blog, Janeausten.co.uk, 2012
Jane Austen's World 