Clues and a really extensive theory: All the emeralds, the star ring and a bit on the Story of Pa Salt?

We read about multiple emeralds in the books:

• in 1909, Archie Vaughan proposes to Aurelia (Flora’s sister) with an emerald engagement ring.
• in 1927, Izabela gets an emerald necklace and earrings from her dad for her 18th birthday.
• in 1928, the boy in Paris, aka Pa Salt.
• in 1949, Merry was placed in front of James’ house with an emerald ring hidden in the wicker basket. Ambrose kept it safe for the next 21 years.
• The ring: Gems are emerald, central stone a diamond. A star with 7 points.
• In 1970, Ambrose gave the ring back to Merry on her 21st birthday.
• In 2007, Merry passed on the ring to Mary-Kate, when she turned 21.
• In 2008, when Merry goes on her world tour, with the ring.

Pa Salt allegedly died in June 2007. Right before he died, Pa Salt had gotten some information in his search for the missing sister. With this information, Georg found out where she was born (Argideen House). It then took almost another year to find her current whereabouts (New Zealand). What the information was and who he got it from is not entirely clear.

What we do know is that Georg had been given a drawing of the ring that was given to the missing sister. It was drawn from memory by Pa Salt, meaning he must have seen it. The gems were emerald, with the central stone being a diamond. Together it formed a star with 7 points. It is later confirmed that this is the ring that Merry had with her when she was born, and that it is identical to the one Pa Salt had seen. Given he could not have seen it after 1949 (as Merry was lost from the moment she was born), we believe the ring was owned by Merry’s mother, Elle. Maybe it was a gift from Pa Salt, and her engagement ring?

Ok, so now the theory on Pa Salt

As many of you are aware, the final book Atlas, the story of Pa Salt will take us all over the world. Most likely back to all the countries we have been to in the 7 first books, but this time a part is also believe to be set in Russia. There are a lot of Russian references in the first two books, which could indicate that his roots are there.

The Romanovs, The Russian Revolution and the missing crown jewels

In 1928, when Izabela finds the orphan in Paris (aka Pa Salt), we are told he is holding on to a leather pouch for his dear life. Other jewelry is later described to be kept in leather pouches. Including the moonstone Maia got from Gustavo. I believe he held on to this as it contained emerald and diamond stones? Or the ring entirely?

Lets say Pa Salt was related to the Romanovs (I wrote more on this here), and that one, or both, of his parents had escaped the Russian Revolution right before/or around the time he was born. Could this piece of jewelry/stones come from their lost collection, and could this mean that he is an actual survivor of the Romanov dynasty? Maybe it was his mother’s ring? Or multiple emeralds and diamonds given to him by someone he held dear?

We know he speaks French, but did not look it. French was a noble language spoken by Russian aristocrats in the early 1900’s.

You can read more about the missing Russian crown jewels here. Long story short, a collection of items and stones went missing after the Russian Revolution and has yet to be found. We know Lucinda Riley has included other mysteries such as the true model for the hands of the Cristo in Maia’s book. Could this be another mystery she wanted to use as inspiration for the book?

The seven pointed star ring

In the first book it is mentioned that Pa Salt (believed aged around 7 or 8) is looking at the stars, and that Laurent tell him about the seven sisters (Orion, Pleonie and Atlas). In the first book, Georg also tells the girls that the central rod of the armillary sphere points to Polaris, or Northers star.

What if Pa Salt ha some valuable stones in his leather pouch, which he transformed into a seven pointed star ring for Elle? According to this website, “The 7-pointed star (also called the Fairy or Elven Star) represents the Pleiadean Star System, known as the Seven Sisters, & was named after the daughters of Atlas & Pleione“. Did he go on to adopt all of the sisters as this would lead him back to Elle? Would it be how he could finally find out what happened to them both? Maybe Angelina told him this was the way? If he found Merry, then she might know what happened to Elle? Or is Elle still alive and the only safe way for them to unite is if they are all on the boat in June 2008?

Was Merry’s interest in The Seven Sisters a coincidence?

I believe no. Ambrose had something to do with this. I don’t see a direct connection with Ambrose and Pa Salt, and I don’t think they are the same person (more on that here). The only connection could be the ring, and potentially interests? Is it possible that Ambrose, whilst safekeeping Merry’s ring for 21 years, went on to try to investigate its origins or meaning (The Seven Sisters)? Maybe Ambrose gave her the book as he wanted to give her something that would connect her to her parents?

Could Ambrose have informed Georg and Pa Salt about Merry’s birth place in 2007?

Most likely, Georg and Pa Salt had contacts in a group where people share interest on Greek Mythology. He could have circulated the photo of the ring there. What if Ambrose reacted to this and told them that he knew the name and birth place of the owner? Georg confirms that he only knew this when he initially got the information right before Pa Salt died.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Super curious to hear your thoughts!