- Scottish Luckenbooth Gold Pendant, The perfect gift for your Scottish sweetheart, or a great way to introduce your love to one of the most romantic Scottish traditions.
- This is the pendant in wax. If you would prefer it in white gold or 14K, just contact us within about a month and I will make the change, providing that you are buying it, of course
Scottish Luckenbooth Gold Pendant created and designed by George
Scottish luckenbooth gold pendant, I had a customer who wanted something special for Christmas. He liked a gold luckenbooth pendant on our site, but wanted one made with amethysts and diamonds. He was also open to other stones, so I went through my inventory and among the stones I came across, where a few rare pink sapphires that I have been saving for something special. Well, I bought the stones over 50 years ago, so it’s time for me to make something special with them! The stones are no longer available, which is why I’ve taken so long. I tried the stones with the wax of the luckenbooth pendant and it was clear that they will be perfect for a very beautiful version of the pendant.
Scottish Luckenbooth Gold Pendant pink sapphires and diamonds Details:
The pendant is made of 18K yellow gold and is approximately 25mm high X 15mm wide. It has a fine quality oval faceted natural pink sapphire as it’s center stone. The stone is an oval that is cut traditionally. This cut has a deeper pavilion than modern cut stones do, allowing for more facets to be placed on it. The result is just spectacular. The stone’s color couldn’t be better either! Our gemologist loves this cut. He took pains to explain why, when I asked if a deeply cut should be re-cut several years ago, that re-cutting it would be a crime.
The crown of the pendant is set with two VS G-H 2mm brilliant cut diamonds. The 3mm round faceted pink sapphire set in the center of the crown between the two diamonds is from the same lot. The pendant doesn’t come with a chain. We have a good selection available and will include one if you contact us.
The pendant was first Carved in wax and soon will be cast in 18k gold. If you would like to learn more about this process please follow this link:https://postgatejewelers.com/waxes/
Scottish and Celtic Jewelry is a specialty, and of course, we have a link for you to follow to see more of our Celtic jewelry:https://postgatejewelers.com/scottish-jewelry/
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
A bit of Luckenbooth history:
The luckenbooth dates from the late sixteenth century. It originated as a pin that merchants wore in Edinburgh along the “Royal Mile” who sold their goods out of locked booths.The pins had to be worn to show that the merchant had purchased a license to sell their goods.
The first luckenbooth brooches were very small. 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 and ensuring a good supply of breast milk when pinned to a woman’s petticoats near the left thigh. If pinned to a baby’s shawl, it will protect the child from being stolen by fairies.
Later Luckenbooth versions 
During the 18th and 19th centuries the luckenbooth became larger and more elaborate often inscribed on the back with biblical quotes or the names or initials of the couple and the date of their wedding. 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 gave her one.
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.
Scottish fur traders exchanged simple silver luckenbooths for furs with Native Americans who loved them. Some of these brooches have been passed down for generations in those native families!
