Made in Birmingham, Far East.

[Dennis]

Cheap Far Eastern imports were not well received in the period between the wars, because they were in fierce competition with our home produced goods. It was even said that a jewellery centre out there had been re-named Birmingham, to infiltrate the market.

What led me to thinking about this, was that Christmas over, we are expecting a mini peak for St Valentine’s Day in February and that long ago there was a popular pendant, which was pierced with strange symbols. It rotated about its centre and when you flicked it sharply with a finger it would spin to reveal the words I LOVE YOU.

I can’t work out how it was done, but they were popular, inexpensive and probably made in Birmingham Far East. Dennis.

[SteveLAO]

hahahaha!! I remember them...they were known as spinners! There were a range of them which when spun read out different things, like "good luck" and "happy days" !! They were circular discs about the size of an old 6d coin. A "wishbone" was attached at 3 oclock and 9 oclock and they spun "end over end" I don't remember the pierced ones, but I sold a lot of ones that were "engraved", so I guess even cheaper to produce (probably stamped out of sheet)

[Goldsmith]

They are still being sold online Dennis, see; https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=sp...dants&imgdii=_

James

[Anna Wales]

One of my first jobs in the 70's was to solder charms on bracelets. We used to buy bags of 100 assorted charms and I had to sort them out spinners included.

[Patstone]

That was a tedious job I'll bet.

[Anna Wales]

That was a tedious job I'll bet.

I was so excited at 16 to be being paid (£22 a week) to do anything to do with jewellery that I didn't mind. I did get to do other exciting things as well, mainly cleaning castings for 6 months !