Hydrangea ~ For Heartfelt Emotion ~ Coin Charm

Inspired by the language of flowers ~ where sentiments were once quietly expressed through blooms ~ and Victorian 'Love Tokens', the phenomenon of engraving secret messages onto coins.

I was drawn to the thought that flowers might hold that same quiet power, carried close as a form of protection, given as a blessing, or kept as a reminder of love and strength. Chosen to speak gently, when words themselves feel too much, or not quite enough.

Our coin charms are made with real flowers in sterling silver, using the traditional technique of lost wax casting. Each piece is carefully boxed, with our seasonal scented posy, and a Victorian puzzle purse holds the meanings and folklore behind your flowers. The story there, when it's opened.

Charms will arrive strung on a ribbon or attached to your chosen accessory, along with the option of an Albert swivel clasp. First used on Victorian watch chains, it allows your charm to move between chain and bracelet, a small detail that makes a big difference.

The name hydrangea comes from the Greek ‘hydros’ and ‘angos’ meaning water and jar, and their colour depends on the acidity of the soil they grow in. A pink flower can be turned blue by increasing the acidity. Originally from the far East, legend has it that a Japanese Emperor gifted a plant to the family of the woman he loved as a token of his sincere apologies for neglecting her, and they still represent apology and heartfelt emotion to this day. Nowadays, it is common for hydrangea to be given as a 4th wedding anniversary gift to represent gratitude and unity but the Victorians took a different view. The plant was seen to represent arrogance, boastfulness and vanity, due in part because it produced wonderful and abundant flowers but so few seeds. They would also be sent by a spurned suitor to the woman who had refused him, insinuating her cold and frigid. Perhaps this led to the folklore that growing a hydrangea near your front door would leave your daughter unable to find a partner! Hydrangea is a favoured flower of the fae, and burning the bark of a plant will break the curse of a witch.