Sterling Silver Crest Badges anyone?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

So... how far does "...your specific and unique requirements can usually be accommodated." go? Could I design my own stylised belt and buckle with celtic knotwork? Being derived from a coat-of-arms, I'm curious as to what sort of "requirements" could one actually change on a crest badge besides stylistic/artistic changes?

From a strictly heraldic point of view, you can have your crest, or arms, interpreted in any style you choose, so long as the basic elements are still recognizable. The herald painters of the 13th century and the 19th century worked in totally different styles, yet both produced excellent heraldry. So, if you wanted a crest badge in, say, an art deco style, I'm sure your silversmith -- for a fee -- could satisfy your whim.

What you can not change are the basic elements. These are set forth in the blazon in the original letters patent of the grant of arms. If the crest/badge is blazoned "A lion rampant, sable" then that's how it must be drawn, or worked in some other medium, such as sliver. How the lion is depicted-- anything from something totally naturalistic, to something "representative" is fine, as long as it looks like a rampant lion. Likewise, the buckle and strap has to look like a buckle and strap. You may, of course, design your own stylized buckle and strap as the embellishments are entirely up to you provided that the design agrees with the blazon.

[jhockin]

And do you have X Marks badges, in silver? i might think about getting one of THOSE!
- on the subject of "allegiance to the clan chief": since most ( not all chiefs did this) of our Scottish ancestors were thrown off the clan land, to make way for sheep ( "the Highland clearances"), i personally, ( and I mean no offense to anyone, by this) wouldn't feel much "allegiance" to their descendants ( no personal grudge, either).

[M. A. C. Newsome]

And do you have X Marks badges, in silver? i might think about getting one of THOSE!
- on the subject of "allegiance to the clan chief": since most ( not all chiefs did this) of our Scottish ancestors were thrown off the clan land, to make way for sheep ( "the Highland clearances"), i personally, ( and I mean no offense to anyone, by this) wouldn't feel much "allegiance" to their descendants ( no personal grudge, either).

If you do not wish to display allegiance to a chief because of something his ancestors did 200 years ago, that's up to you. Don't wear his crest badge.

But that has absolutely nothing to do with this thread. Please let's not take this off topic.

Re: the X Marks badge, sure he could make one up. He's done badges for SAMS (the Scottish American Military Society) and other groups before.

[macwilkin]

Post deleted after reading Matt's reply above.