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These intricate symbolic pins have been called by several names including Sweetheart Pins, Symbol Pins, Good Luck and Sentimental jewelry. Usually made of sterling or sterling with rose and/or yellow gold overlay, they are each a small study in the symbolism seen throughout Victorian life. Most of these were made from 1880s to circa 1915. Many of them are hallmarked for the maker, city and date, but many are not.

One maker who seems to have fashioned many of these pins, as well as hinged bangles and other sterling jewelry, is "S.Bros." who seems to have worked in both Birmingham and Chester at the turn of the century, 1899-1900. Their pieces are also especially intricate and well made, and it is thought that the logo it stands for the Sydenham Brothers.

The book "Victorian Sentimental Jewellery" by Diana Cooper & Norman Battershill, published in 1972, has a nice collection of this category of jewelry, as well as other sentimental jewelry.

The symbols on each piece are subject to many interpretations, just a few of which are listed here:

Cross Heart & Anchor = for Faith, Hope & Charity or Love
Birds = Lovebirds
Swallows = the soul winging its way to heaven
Padlock & Key = Entry to my heart
Flowers = many meanings depending on the flower
Forget-me-nots = the obvious, dont forget me
Ivy leaves = eternal love
Hearts = love

To purchase some of this lovely sterling and sterling with applied rose gold sweetheart jewelry, please click HERE.

There were many different pieces made, so see more visit Gallery HERE.

Watch chains made of human hair were popular in the last half of the Victorian era and were worn and treasured for generations afterwards. They were sometimes made as a memorial or mourning piece, but also as a living and loving token from a wife to her husband or daughters to their father. Women wore them as well, both for their intended use as well as for necklaces and bracelets. We have a lovely CDV of a lady wearing one as a necklace at the right of this page.

The workmanship was time consuming and required some degree of skill, and they were made both as a home craft and by professionals like jewelry stores. We are fortunate to have a vintage catalogue of hair jewelry that you can enjoy HERE.
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To BUY Victorian Hair Jewelry for your own collection or as a gift, please CLICK HERE.

And our Gallery of this wonderful jewelry that we have had can be seen HERE and HERE.

http://www.morninggloryjewelry.com/