A Mărțișor brooch is a traditional spring talisman, gifted on the 1st of March in Romania, Moldova and parts of Europe. Each brooch is tied with a twisted red-and-white thread, symbolising love, unity, and renewal. At Magpie Gems, our brooches blend this tradition with elegant, symbolic designs — ladybugs for luck, snowdrops for spring, clovers for prosperity, and more.

The red and white twisted thread is the heart of the Mărțișor tradition. Red symbolises love, vitality, and life; white represents purity, balance, and new beginnings. Together, they weave harmony and protection. For Magpie Gems, the string also bridges Lavinia’s roots in Romania with her home in Cork, Ireland—uniting two places, two traditions, and one story of renewal.

Traditionally, Mărțișor brooches are gifted on 1 March to family, friends, teachers and colleagues to welcome spring and wish good health and prosperity. They’re worn throughout March as a lucky talisman and symbol of protection, and many people keep them afterwards as cherished keepsakes, pinned to memory boards or tucked into journals.

Yes! Traditionally, the red and white thread is worn throughout March and then tied to a tree branch to welcome spring. However, our Mărțișor brooches are designed to be cherished well beyond the season. If you prefer, you can simply remove the twisted red and white bow after March and continue wearing the brooch as an elegant accessory all year long.

From ladybugs and butterflies to flowers and lucky charms, these designs carry timeless meanings — joy, renewal, prosperity, and protection — that are just as meaningful in July as they are in March.

Every brooch is carefully hand-tied with the red-and-white bow and placed on a storytelling card designed by Magpie Gems, bilingual in Romanian and English. The card explains the legend of Mărțișor, making your gift meaningful and complete. Each card is sealed in a protective clear bag, labelled with the Magpie Gems logo, and ready to gift straight away.

Our brooches are sourced from trusted suppliers in Romania and abroad, then hand-finished in Ireland. They are made from high-quality metal alloys, often plated in silver or gold, and some feature enamel, rhinestones, crystals, or pearls. Every piece is lightweight, colourful, and symbolic, designed for both style and meaning.

While the brooch bases are sourced from trusted suppliers, every Mărțișor is hand-finished in our Cork studio. I carefully tie the traditional red and white bow, place each piece on a storytelling card designed by Magpie Gems (available in English and Romanian), and package it in a clear protective sleeve with my logo.

This way, each brooch carries not only the tradition of Mărțișor, but also a touch of Irish finishing and personal storytelling — making it gift-ready and meaningful.

Yes, we ship worldwide. Your Mărțișor brooches will arrive carefully packaged, ready to gift with the story card included. Delivery times vary by country, so we recommend ordering early if you need them before the 1st of March.

Yes! If you need a larger quantity for school groups, workplace celebrations, or community events, we offer discounts for bulk orders. Just get in touch with us for details.

Not at all. While women and children traditionally wore them, today Mărțișor brooches are given to everyone as a gesture of goodwill, luck, and appreciation. At Magpie Gems, our designs are versatile — perfect for school exchanges, workplace gifts, or family traditions. Men, colleagues, and even little ones can enjoy the tradition.

Within Ireland, we recommend ordering by last week in February to guarantee delivery before 1st March. For UK, EU, or international addresses, please order earlier. Estimated times are shown at checkout, but earlier orders ensure peace of mind.

Yes! Each Mărțișor comes on a Magpie Gems storytelling card, but we can also include your message on the reverse or in the parcel. Perfect for corporate gifts or personal notes.

Mărțișor brooches contain small parts and sharp pins, so they are not toys and should be gifted with adult supervision. For younger children, we recommend our safer thread-bracelet charms instead.

We’re happy to help! Get in touch via our Contact Page, WhatsApp, or email, and we’ll guide you in choosing the perfect Mărțișor.