Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What does the thistle symbolize?

Beyond its role in Scottish national identity, the thistle carries layered meaning: pride, humility, protection, and resilience, tied to its ability to thrive in rugged, unwelcoming landscapes. In Celtic tradition more broadly, the thistle is also associated with nobility and bravery, which is part of why it appears so often in heraldry, jewelry, and clan symbolism beyond Scotland's national emblem alone.

What is the Queen Anne Lochinvar china pattern?

Lochinvar is a bone china pattern by Queen Anne (produced by Shore & Coggins, and later Ridgway, in Staffordshire, England), featuring a purple Scottish thistle design with gold trim. Queen Anne bone china was made in England's Staffordshire Potteries region from 1911 to 1966, known for fine bone china across dozens of named patterns — Lochinvar's thistle motif ties directly into the Scottish flower symbolism this necklace is built around.

What is bone china, and how is it different from porcelain?

Bone china is a type of porcelain made with added bone ash, giving it a bright white color, high translucency, and more strength than standard porcelain despite being fired at a lower temperature. English makers have been producing bone china since the late 1700s, and it remains one of the most recognized forms of fine china, distinct from harder, higher-fired true porcelain.