Highland Heart Scottish Luckenbooth

Custom orders:

You may order the Highland Heart Scottish Luckenbooth with a chain of almost any normal length. It is also available in 14 K, 18 K, 22 K and in 14 K rose, white and yellow gold. The pendant/brooch can be set with other center stones. It is also a great design for small stones. We have a page that explains more about custom orders. It also has a selection of some of our favorite custom pieces: https://postgatejewelers.com/special-order-jewelry/

The Scottish Luckenbooth, a brief history:

The luckenbooth dates from the late sixteenth century. It originated as a brooch that merchants wore in Edinburgh along the “Royal Mile” who sold their goods out of locked booths. The brooches had to be worn to show that the merchant had purchased a license to sell their goods.

Early Luckenbooths:

The first luckenbooth brooches were very small. Later a tradition developed in which the luckenbooth was given to a man’s sweetheart on their betrothal. It was also considered a lucky charm, that would protect its wearer against the evil eye. Among the other powers attributed to the luckenbooth was easing the pain of childbirth. If pinned to a baby’s shawl, it will protect the child from being stolen by fairies.

During the 18th and 19th centuries the luckenbooth became larger and more elaborate. They were often inscribed on the back with biblical quotes, names or initials, of the couple and the date of their wedding.

Queen Mary Luckenbooths:

In the late 1800’s the intertwined hearts that form the lower half of the brooch came to resemble the letter M. Fleur de lis and thistles also became common elements. These became known as Mary’s Brooches or “Queen Mary’s Brooches.” This was because Mary Queen of Scots husband, Lord Darnley had given her a special one.

Modern Luckenbooths:

Most contemporary luckenbooth brooches are in the form of two intertwined hearts topped with a crown. In Victorian times they were often set with garnets. Garnets were believed to have a positive influence on love and symbolized love, constancy, and friendship. The Victorian versions of the luckenbooth brooch were decorated with gems of different colors.

The Luckenbooth in America:

Scottish fur traders exchanged simple silver luckenbooths for furs with Native Americans who loved them well before the founding of the US. Some of those brooches have been passed down for generations, and are treasured keepsakes in those native American families.

FaceBook:

We have a wide selection of our work on FaceBook. Some pieces are shown in various stages of completion. When we do a special piece for a customer we often send them image of waxes. This makes it easier for them to understand what we are doing. It also allows us to work together and insure the creation of something special: https://www.facebook.com/Postgate-Fine-Jewelers-111540785537658/photos/?view_public_for=111540785537658&ref=page_internal