Do-Over: 1870 Converted Brooch Necklace

Look above. Look closely (you can click on the image to supersize the picture, even).This is the back of brooch made in 1870. You can see the remnants of it’s old t-hinge and c-clasp. And that deep, hollow space indicates that it probably once held a piece of glass or crystal that held a lock of hair or some other memorial of a loved one. You can also see that this piece is well marked with the maker’s initials (J.H.), its place of assay (the anchor mark = Birmingham, UK), its metal content (the lion passant = sterling) and the year it was made (the Gothic lower case K = 1870).

Like many old things, it must’ve broke at some point. But an enterprising soul treasured it enough that they punched some holes in it, attached some odds and ends of chains and made it into a necklace (it wasn’t me — I found it like this). Anyway, a great way to salvage something that might’ve otherwise been scrapped.