Anne of Green Gables was a major source of inspiration for the Committee as it launched on its quest to build a collection of beautiful nondiamond engagement jewelry. Lots of kids (including several members of the Committee) have grown up reading of Anne’s exploits. Here’s what Anne had to say about diamond engagement rings, which made quite an impression.
Marilla, Anne’s adoptive mother, has an amethyst brooch that she wears to church every Sunday. When Anne (age 11) first sees it, she proclaims:
“Oh, Marilla, it’s a perfectly elegant brooch. I don’t know how you can pay attention to the sermon or the prayers when you have it on. I couldn’t, I know. I think amethysts are just sweet. They are what I used to think diamonds were like. Long ago, before I had ever seen a diamond, I read about them and I tried to imagine what they would be like. I thought they would be lovely glimmering purple stones. When I saw a real diamond in a lady’s ring one day I was so disappointed I cried.” L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables, Chapter XIII.
Later, when Anne and Gilbert Blythe were engaged, “Anne’s engagement ring was a circlet of pearls. She had refused to wear a diamond.” She told Gilbert: “‘I’ve never really liked diamonds since I found out they weren’t the lovely purple I had dreamed. They will always suggest my old disappointment.’” L.M. Montgomery, Anne’s House of Dreams, Chapter III.
