TAMWORTH

70
Also in Massachusetts a Past Master’s Emblem is the square compasses and quadrant which easiest to see
looking at the pm jewel. On the apron, it is also shown and is surrounded with a wreath of acacia leaves – all in
gold bullion thread. Most other States in USA just have the square and compasses as the Past Master Emblem
Both PM jewels and aprons differ widely though the state of Massachusetts (MA). Additionally most Masonic
jurisdictions in USA don’t have as ornate aprons or jewels as we do. To my understanding Nevada and
California have similar designs.
My jewel goes back to 1921. It originally was a Putnam Lodge (city of Cambridge- next to Bonon). That lodge
has long since folded. The jewel surfaced at a Jewellers auction. Many jewellers especially those who are
masons, snap such items up in order to preserve them. PM jewels “are supposed” to be returned to the Lodge
upon the Masters death. But unfortunately that doesn‘t always happen especially with the more valuable ones.
My jewel was altered only by polishing off Putnam Lodge name and replacing with John Warren. Additionally,
the diamond in the centre was “long gone”. In its place is a diamond that my dad gave me. He was given it from
my Grandfather and wore it as a pinkie ring for many years. Wearing it as a ring had no appeal to me. But it has
enormous meaning to be able to wear it as part of my jewel, my grandfather as well as my dad are masons
(grandfather long since departed). When the time comes, I’ll replace the diamond with a zirconia and pass it on
to my daughter. The jewel falls into the category of among the nicer jewels you would End in MA. Some are
14k gold plated others are 10 or 14k gold. Mine is 14k gold. The ones acquired built in the l920’s thru 40’s tend
to be 14k gold and the detail engraving much nicer. Since I had the opportunity to obtain this one at double the
price of replating and reworking one of John Warren’s then currently available jewels I figured that was the way
to go. This way John Warren and I split the cost of acquiring it and we now have one more really nice Jewel for
our Lodge. The cost to acquire was about 30 percent of the cost to make it new. At an estimated value of over
$2100 without the diamond most lodges including mine wouldn’t expend that kind of resources.
As for Past Master Aprons. Our Grand Lodge has an “official recommendation” and the style is very close to the
second attached apron picture. Lodges charted many years ago are allowed to keep their original designs which
makes another interesting item to observe when visiting other Lodges. Our lodge falls into the older group being
over l50years. So we have our own apron style and is the same as shown in the attached picture EXCEPT
eliminate the acacia gold leaves that are in the blue outside border. Most USA jurisdictions don‘t have the
fancy aprons that MA presents to Past Masters. Our supplier www.lafsco.com told me that
Nevada, California, Montana, and just a few other states are similar. Nevada differs with the bullion thread
always being silver since they are the silver state while California is always gold bullions thread since they are
the “gold rush” state. John Warren Aprons have silver bullion thread used for the fringe that you see on the
picture while the past masters emblem and all-seeing eye are gold bullion thread.
The Grand Masters Apron in MA is all gold bullions against a purple background. Only Grand Lodge Officers
and aprons are allowed to have purple. So that is another difference in MA vs other states which from browsing
Lafsco’s aprons appear to use purple backgrounds for Past Master aprons.