The Victorian lovers, ever the sentimentalists, were for ever giving each other meaningful gifts.

One of the popular tokens was a heart-shaped locket in which was placed a lock of hair of the beloved. Few people were aware that the tradition of presenting a lock of hair had really nothing to do with love, or anything remotely to do with love.

It all started in the days when prisoners were taken during a battle. If the prisoner turned out to be important enough for someone to care whether he was alive or dead, they would cut of a lock of his hair and send it to the family concerned. It was like a ransom note and less savage than cutting off a finger. Being more trusting than we are, apparently the hair was enough to convince the relatives and friends, that indeed the loved one was a prisoner in the hands of the bad person and if they wanted him back, theyd better pay.

While the popularity of the locket came and went, rings as gifts became even more popular as a symbol of attachment. In particular, by using gemstones, all sorts of messages were transmitted through the rings.

It could be, that the first letter of each gemstone could spell a word. If the gentleman had a name short and plain, the word could be his own name. Or, if he had access to more gemstones than most people, he might spell out a word of endearment to the bride. Thinking up a word in itself was a bit of a bother. But, when it comes to love, nothing is too much trouble. And with such gemstones as Amethyst, Malachite, Carnelian, Garnet, Amethyst, Onyx, Jade, Turquoise, Diamond, Pearls, Emerald, Ruby, Quartz, Jasper, Sapphire, Onyx, Rhodonite, Sodilite, you could always come up with something like Dearest

It seemed men were always aware of how susceptible women were to jewellery. In the middle ages many men kept a ring suspended from their hat bands just on the off-chance that the right woman would come along.

Be prepared was their motto.