My ''Something Old/Borrowed'', SO excited!!!

[Dandi]

I couldn''t wait to share this with everyone!

In 1895 my great grandfather bought these for his wife-to-be as a gift for her 21st birthday. She wore them to her wedding and since then, every single female on my mother''s side of our immediate family has worn them on her respective wedding day. They are little gold birds joined together with a fine gold chain, and are set with seed pearls differing slightly in size. My mum wore them pinned to the neckline of her wedding dress, and now it''s my turn! I''m planning to pin them to the top of my veil, which will nestle underneath my hairdo. They are each stamped ''15'' and the rest of the stamp is illegible, so I''m assuming they are 15 carat gold, which I have never heard of! My family has talked about these since the year dot, and I''ve only ever seen them in pictures, so it''s so exciting to finally have them in my hot little hands!

 

[Dandi]

Blech, sorry about the glare, it''s very hot and sunny here today!

 

[Dandi]

These things are in great nick for 122 years of age! Last one, thanks for looking!

 

[sumbride]

Oh wow! They are so beautiful and so special! What a great tradition! I love them!

 

[Independent Gal]

That''s so wonderful and exciting! They are beautiful.

 

[Efe]

What an absolutely wonderful tradition. I love the idea of wearing them on your veil.

 

[Pandora II]

15 carat gold is very common in victorian jewellery made in England. It's one of my favourite carat weights as it has a gorgeous colour that is impossible to find in modern jewellery. I would hazard a guess that these were made in the UK.

I've seen some very similar on ebay which I have tempted with, but they were fixed brooches rather than on a chain like yours. These are particularly pretty! The swallows are a traditional gift between lovers - as swallows always return every year, and the pearls have another meaning which I can't remember (in mourning jewels it's tears, but in love tokens it's something else.)

So lovely to have something with such family history behind them. Thanks for showing them to us!

 

[shigidigi]

I love them!! How unique! I think it is so special that you''ll get to carry on the traditions of other women in your family!

 

[wifey2b]

Oh how lovely!!! What a wonderful tradition - wear them in good health and may they bring you the best of luck :}

 

[Dandi]

Thankyou for your lovely replies, ladies!! I''m so rapt to have them finally!

Pandora, thanks for the info! I can''t wait to tell mum, she loves jewellery with a atory and a history, as do I!

 

[Harleigh]

What a beautiful tradition! You are one lucky girl!

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Pandora II]

Did a bit more research:

15ct Gold was first introduced in the 1850''s and was highly regarded and used for high quality pieces. It was discontinued in 1932.

Here is a similar brooch to your one (but fixed) - this one is dated 1900, and I would think yours is from around the same date. They are expensive pieces and very sought after.

I still haven''t tracked down the pearl meaning in love tokens I''m afraid.

 

[SoonIHope]

Wow those are beautiful and that''s such a wonderful tradition!!

 

[Siamese Kitty]

Andi-your birds are stunning! What a special touch for your big day.

 

[Mrs DMcD]

It''s so mice to be able to incorporate family tradition and heirlooms into such a special occasion - congrats! I can''t wait to wear my grandmothers blue garter and carry her embroidered handkerchief on my wedding day!!! Best of luck!

 

[winternight]

I love those! How absolutely precious and a great story! FYI not all real gold was stamped, especially if they''re old. They could always be tested if you were curious.

 

[winternight]

Nevermind, saw the post above! Love those birds, aw!

 

[BELLA9280]

what a great story!! they are beautiful wear them in good health!!

 

[bee*]

They are so beautiful!! I love them