The Past Masters Jewel

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Posted 09/03/2010 15:09


Apprentice

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  The use of the PM jewel here in Massachusetts differs from Lodge to Lodge, meaning that some look at it as the property of the Lodge, others the property of the PM, widow and/or children.  Some, like one of my Lodges back in 1814, voted that the jewel is the property of the Lodge.  Some Lodges can not afford to purchase nice jewels anymore and are looking into ways of having them returned.  We do recycle, my PM jewel goes back to 1941, another 1869, my commandery jewel, I am the third PEC on it.  I will be turning in my 1869 jewel next year to the incoming Master.  Here in Mass. the presiding Master can wear a PM jewel ONLY while he is in Lodge.  Not to be worn anywhere else, til he is out of office.  That Lodge can not afford to purchase new ones, and since I have two, figure I would give this one back.  Has lots of history.  I have seen these go on the auction block, ebay and scrap dealers.  Just bought back from a dealer a what we call here in Mass. DDGM(District Deputy Grand Master) jewel that someone(we think we know who it was) took it to this dealer with another jewel, and the first EC jewel from my commandery dating to 1890.  The diamonds were missing from the EC jewel, but nice to have it back in the collection.  The Lodge now has another DDGM jewel they can pass down.  Personnel, I believe the jewel is the property of the Lodge, all mine will be returned.  Another Lodge, gives out the jewels with your initials hanging from the name bar, when you pass away, the Lodge takes your initials and has a braclet made out of it and gives it to his widow(if any).

Curator, Cambridge Masonic Temple

Cambridge, MA., USA

Post #19373
Posted 09/03/2010 23:15


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Our GL Archives Committee is putting together a collection of Past Masters' jewels from every Lodge under our jurisdiction. Some of the early jewels are not only irreplaceable, but also quite valuable in terms of their gold content (thank goodness for safes and safety deposit boxes). We are currently cataloguing and producing a database of our collection (several hundred). The next step will be to produce a display showing that part of our history.

Daves

The Carrington Lodge (WAC 363)
Western Australian Lodge of Research (WAC 277)
Bassendean RA Chapter (WAC 20)
18o Sharon SRCC (No 140 AASR, Australia)

[url=http://thecarringtonlodge.blogspot.com][/url]
Post #19395
Posted 10/03/2010 13:40


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I wear all my jewels (which comprise of a PM jewel, a centenary jewel and a chapter jewel) when in full dress regalia for special functions such as anniversaries, Installations etc. I wear just my chapter jewel for normal lodge meetings.

The PM jewel and Centenary jewel are from my service in my mother Lodge but which has since handed in its warrant. I wear them as a reminder of it.

In my view, a PM jewel should be given to a PM and should be his for life and returned on death. It should, ideally be a recycled one from a brother who has passed to "Celestial Lodge, No. 1"


PM of Wilbraham Lodge No. 1713,
P.PrJGD,
J. W. Garston Lodge of Mark Master Masons.
Member of Tranquility Lodge No. 2000 (USA)
Post #19412
Posted 13/03/2010 10:46
Apprentice

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As with the original poster my lodge has a somewhat hit and miss approach to Past Masters jewels.

I have just completed my year as Master, last Thursday, and the lodge knowing that I still had my late fathers collar and PM jewel, from another lodge, were only too happy for me, to be presented with, and to wear those.

From my point of view I was very proud to wear my fathers collar and PM jewel but am still not sure about the validity of wearing the PM jewel of another lodge.

The jewel in question is very ornate with a large symbol of the lodge it is from so it is clearly not one that refers to my own lodge or year as master.

Is it okay for me to continue to wear this jewel?

I had thought about adding to it to reflect my own year but I think that it is better left alone and that I should speak to my own lodge about providing a jewel.

Post #19598
Posted 13/03/2010 11:09


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Is the jewel in question one that hangs form the bottom of a PM's collar, or is it a PM's breast jewel, worn in the jacket pocket?

If, as I suspect, it is the former; ie a large silver jewel that hangs from a collar, and your Lodge is happy that you wear it, then to me it depends whether you yourself would wish to wear it as a tribute of memory and respect to your late father. Should you wish to do so, and your Lodge is happy that you do so, then it is possible to get a silver plate, suitably inscribed, stitched to the rear of the collar detailing its history. Thus not necessitating alteration to any engraving that may be on the reverse of the jewel.

If it is the latter, ie a breast jewel worn in the pocket, I can see no harm to show that memory and respect by wearing it in addition to a PM's breast jewel of your own Lodge.

Perhaps your Lodge DC could advise you in keeping with your own Lodge protocol?

Roy L.

"SELUME PROFERRE"

Post #19600
Posted 13/03/2010 11:47
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Thanks sojourner

I had been talking about the breast jewel but it applies to the collar and jewel as well.

I will be taking your advice on both counts.

Post #19604
Posted 13/03/2010 19:03
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The PM Collar and jewel can be inscribed on the reverse to show you merit in wearing it.

The Breast Jewel I am afraid is not relevant to your term in office and although an item of sentimentality should not be worn in an Open Lodge by anyone other than the rightful owner.

Otherwise we coulkd buy jewelss from Ebay we liked and wear them with no validity.


David
Post #19612
Posted 13/03/2010 20:05
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Remember when I posted a couple of months ago about not being sure if last year's WM would get his jewel or not since he resigned before the installation?  Well, he came back a couple of weeks later and retracted his resignation and is now the IPM and has the jewel, so everything is as it should be.

Temple Lodge: 4963
Post #19614
Posted 14/03/2010 12:26


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I have when in UGLE seen many PMs wearing more than one PM Breast Jewel . I also knew a Past Master who wore the Hall-Stone Jewel round his neck which had been purchased by his late father who had subscribed to that appeal to build the current FMH in Gt Queen's Street which is sometimes called "The Peace Memorial".
Post #19631
Posted 14/03/2010 13:45
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lauderdale (14/03/2010)
I have whenin UGLE seen many PMs wearing more than onePM Breast Jewel. I also knew a Past Master who wore the Hall-Stone Jewel round his neck which had been purchased by his late father who had subscribed to that appeal to build the current FMH in Gt Queen's Street which is sometimes called "The Peace Memorial".


We wear only those jewels to which we are entitled to. These would be from our left breast pocket.

Would we wear our fathers or grandfathers service or campaign medals at parades from our left breast? No we would wear them from our right indicating our pride but that we had not won them.

So in this sense again only those WE have merited can we wear on the left, any others if we so wish I suppose we could wear from the right.


David
Post #19634
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