How Did "Suffragette Jewelry" Use Color (Green, White, Violet) to Send a Secret Message?
Picture this: London, 1908. A woman glides into a fancy tea shop, her hat perfectly pinned, her Edwardian gown immaculate. She smiles politely, orders a scone, and engages in perfectly ladylike chatter. But if you were to look a little closer, you'd spot her secret weapon—a brilliant flash of green, white, and violet gemstones sparkling from her ring or pendant. To the untrained eye, it was just a pretty bauble. To her sisters in the fight, it was a declaration of war. This was the genius of Suffragette Jewelry, a beautiful, brilliant, and sometimes sassy form of silent protest that turned amethysts, pearls, and peridots into a powerful political slogan. So, how did a simple color scheme become one of history's most fashionable secret codes? Grab a cup of tea (or something stronger) and let's unravel the story.
Back in the early 1900s, the women of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU)—the militant wing of the British suffrage movement led by the formidable Emmeline Pankhurst—had a bit of an image problem. They were constantly being labeled as "unladylike troublemakers" and aggressive spinsters. Their response? Masterful PR. Emmeline Pankhurst famously encouraged her members to dress in their most elegant, feminine finery when heading out to protest or march. The goal was to align with Edwardian ideals of beauty on the outside while being utterly defiant on the inside. It's like showing up to a revolution in a stunning ballgown—disarming, unexpected, and absolutely fabulous.
The Official Palette: Dignity, Purity, and Hope
In 1908, the WSPU's brilliant business manager, Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence, made it official. She decreed purple, white, and green as the movement's colors, and she gave them a powerful, public meaning. "Purple as everyone knows is the royal color," she declared. "It stands for the royal blood that flows in the veins of every suffragette, the instinct of freedom and dignity; white stands for purity in private and public life; green is the color of hope and the emblem of spring". This was the message they wanted the world to see: they were noble, they were virtuous, and they were determined. Jewelers quickly caught on, translating this tricolor manifesto into stunning pieces using specific gems: regal amethyst for purple, pure pearls or dazzling diamonds for white, and vibrant peridot or bright green demantoid garnet for green.
The Secret Acrostic: Give Women Votes!
But here's where it gets even more clever. Almost simultaneously, a more covert interpretation of the colors began to circulate. It was an acrostic: Green for "Give," White for "Women," and Violet for "Votes". "Give Women Votes!" Suddenly, that elegant necklace wasn't just a symbol of dignity; it was a literal, wearable demand. Can you imagine the quiet thrill of wearing your politics so openly yet so discreetly? It was a secret handshake made of gemstones. While some historians debate how widely this acronym was used as the original intent, it undeniably became a popular and potent understanding among supporters. Whether you were a wealthy society lady shopping at Mappin & Webb—which dedicated a whole page in its 1908 Christmas catalog to suffragette jewelry—or a homemaker stringing glass beads, you were part of a silent, sparkling sisterhood.
From Tea Parties to Prison Cells: The Many Faces of Suffrage Jewels
Suffragette jewelry wasn't one-size-fits-all. It ranged from mass-produced pins and ribbons to exquisite, one-of-a-kind fine art pieces. For many women, it was a subtle way to show support at home if a husband or father disapproved of the cause. For others, it was a bold, unmistakable badge of honor. The most poignant pieces, however, were not the delicate rings but the medals of honor. Women who endured imprisonment and brutal hunger strikes were presented with "Holloway Brooches" or medals on ribbons of purple, white, and green. These were not dainty; they were badges of immense courage, named for the notorious prison where so many suffragettes were held.
A Legacy in Every Gem: Wear Your Story Today
So, what's the takeaway for us modern folks at Robinson's Jewelers? The story of suffragette jewelry reminds us that what we wear can be so much more than an accessory. It can be a memory, a value, a piece of history, or a personal motto. The color combination itself—that stunning contrast of purple and green with a hit of white—remains eternally chic because it's literally based on color theory (they're complementary colors on the wheel!). Whether you're drawn to the rich purple of an amethyst necklace, the sunny glow of a peridot ring, or the classic brilliance of a diamond and pearl suite, you can carry on this legacy of meaningful adornment.
Feeling inspired to find a piece that speaks to your story? Whether you love the historical elegance of Oscar Heyman, the modern romance of Gumuchian, or the bold brilliance of EFFY, our collections are full of pieces that let you make a statement. Browse our Estate & Vintage collection for a touch of history, or explore colorful gemstones in our designer galleries. After all, why just accessorize when you can quietly, beautifully, declare something amazing?