DATE: Victorian, c.1880

A sweet antique brooch modelled as a wishbone, dating from the Victorian period, circa 1880. It's set with vibrant blue sapphires and diamonds and modelled in 15k yellow gold throughout. 

The wishbone was given to two people and each one pulled one side of the bone with the little finger until it broke in half. The person who pulled the larger part was said to have “the lucky break” and allowed to make a secret wish. The person who broke the smaller part of the wishbone was said to have had a “bad break.”  The act of breaking a wishbone symbolized luck and was said to bring the “winner” good fortune. This custom, of two people pulling on the bone, developed in the early 17th century and at the time, the name of the wishbone was a “merrythought.”

STONES

Sapphire and Diamond 

MEASUREMENTS 

5.1 x 2cm  

WEIGHT 

6.6g

MARKS 

No marks present, tests as 15k gold

CONDITION 

Excellent