Blue Willow China Jewelry
The Blue Willow china jewelry collection by eclectiQuas includes necklaces, earrings and rings handmade from upcycled vintage Blue Willow plates. Each piece features one part of the pattern: the love birds, boat, "tree of life," pagodas or the geometric border along the edge of the plate. Blue Willow is one o the most recognized blue and white china patterns, and it is celebrated by vintage chinoiserie and English Transferware collectors for its romantic design and cottage style charm. The jewelry settings are sterling silver, finished with freshwater pearls and vintage beads, and moves easily from everyday wear to dressy occasions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the legendary love story behind the Blue Willow Love Birds necklace?
The Blue Willow pattern tells the story of Kwang-se, a merchant's daughter promised to a wealthy suitor, and Chang, the humble clerk she loved instead. When her father discovered the romance, he locked her away, and the two escaped across the sea, only to be pursued by her father's boat. Just as they were about to be caught, the gods transformed them into a pair of turtle doves so they could stay together forever — the same pair depicted on our Love Birds necklaces. Read the Story of Blue Willow China on the eclectiQuas blog.
Why is the Blue Willow Love Birds necklace such a popular 18th and 20th anniversary gift?
The love birds symbolize a devotion strong enough to survive challenges and adversity, which makes the motif a natural fit for a marriage milestone. Broken china jewelry also lines up with traditional wedding anniversary gift lists: porcelain marks the 18th year and china marks the 20th, while the 9th anniversary is traditionally pottery in the US and willow in the UK — so a Blue Willow china necklace can double as a fitting gift for the 9th anniversary too.
What is a unique gift for someone who loves Blue Willow china?
Broken china jewelry made from the Blue Willow china pattern lets a collector wear the design they already love rather than only display it. Since most collectors already own full place settings, jewelry cut from the same china pattern is a great gift that fits their collection without duplicating it.
What parts of a Blue Willow plate are made into jewelry?
Blue Willow china jewelry is cut from five parts of the plate: the Love Birds, the boat, the Tree of Life, the pagodas, and the geometric border along the plate edge. Each motif appears in different jewelry styles, so Blue Willow lovers can choose the part of the scene that means the most to them, from the Love Birds to the pagoda where the story begins. Long-time collectors can start with one motif and add others over time, building a set that tells the whole legend. Browse the Blue Willow Love Birds necklaces and Blue Willow china rings.
Can I buy a Blue Willow tea cup and saucer to match my china jewelry?
Yes. A vintage Johnson Brothers Blue Willow tea cup and saucer is available on its own or alongside jewelry made from the same Johnson Brothers pattern, so the china on display and the china you wear can match. The cup and saucer are in excellent vintage condition, with no chips or cracks. Matching jewelry includes a Pagoda necklace and a Tree of Life necklace in 18" or 20" lengths. See the Blue Willow Tea Cup, Saucer and Matching China Jewelry.
Is Blue Willow china jewelry a good "something blue" for a wedding?
Yes. Because the china is vintage, a Blue Willow piece can be both a bride's something blue and her something old. The Love Birds motif also carries a meaning that fits a wedding day, since in the legend, Kwang-se and Chang chose each other and stayed together through every obstacle. A Love Birds necklace also makes a thoughtful gift from a mother or grandmother who collects Blue Willow, or a meaningful wedding day gift from the bride for her mother, mother-in-law, or grandmother. See the Blue Willow Love Birds necklaces.
Is there a ready-to-give Blue Willow gift box?
Yes. The Blue Willow gift box comes ready to give, built around a vintage Johnson Brothers Blue Willow tea cup and saucer in excellent vintage condition, with no chips or cracks. Each box also includes four tea bags, a blue and white toile napkin, cookies, and a candle, plus a tea bag holder with the recipient's initial and a printed insert with the story behind the Blue Willow pattern. Two of the three box options add a necklace cut from a matching Blue Willow plate, along with a photo card of the china it came from. See the Personalized Tea Gift Box with Vintage Blue Willow China.
Will the Blue Willow pattern on china jewelry wear off over time?
Blue Willow was transfer printed under the glaze, so the cobalt blue design sits beneath a fired glass-like layer rather than on the surface. That same glaze is what keeps the pattern intact on plates used for daily meals over many decades. To keep both the glaze and the sterling silver looking their best, store each piece separately and take it off before showering, swimming, or putting on lotion.