A Gold Locket for All

A gold locket is one of those very personal types of jewelry that has stood the test of time and remains very popular today.  I think most women, and possibly some men, have had a locket or two in their lifetime.  They are mostly associated with romance and love in modern times, but they have a long history of other uses.

Lockets have been around for centuries, and have been made throughout history of many different types of materials including gold, brass, copper, silver and iron.  Lockets were used to carry such items as gunpowder, medicines, poisons, good luck charms, hair, etc.  Since the beginning of the 20^th century, lockets began to be use to carry pictures of loved ones.  During the Victorian era, the locket enjoyed huge popularity.  Victorian lockets were beautifully ornate, many of them set with precious gems.  Lockets of that time were mostly round and heart shaped, and many were monogrammed with the initial of the owner.

Gold Locket with Repousee Design

A technique for working metal called repousee was a popular way to finish lockets for the Victorians.  Repousee designs are created by hammering metal from the back side of it, resulting in an embossed design on the front.

Manufacturing methods have greatly improved since the beginning of the 20^th century, and locket construction is better now than ever.   The basic design of lockets has remained largely the same.  Generally, a locket has two sides that are hinged together and has a bale (a ring that allows a chain to be attached to the top of a pendant) on the left side.  A gold locket necklace today may be constructed with inner rings that pop out to insert a picture, and then are placed back in the locket over the picture.  These rings can be problematic, however, as they are sometimes hard to manipulate.  Plastic inserts are often used in gold locket necklace designs today.  The plastic inserts are easily popped out and used as a template for cutting a picture to size.  Then after the picture is placed in the locket, the plastic is replaced, securely holding the picture in, and adding a protective layer for the precious picture.  Hinges on the modern gold locket are designed so that they fold to the inside of the locket and are very unobtrusive when the locket is closed.

Lockets come in many shapes and sizes, as well as many different types of metals.  Round and heart shaped seem to be the most popular, as they were long ago.   A white gold locket is very popular today, specifically a white gold heart locket shape.  14K gold lockets are the most popular, and cost anywhere from $150 and up for a high-quality locket.  Be careful when you shop, as a gold locket necklace may be labeled as a “gold locket” but it may be plated metal, which won’t hold up as well as genuine 10K or 14K gold will.

A gold locket remains a very desirable jewelry item today, and is very easy to personalize with pictures of loved ones, as well as monogramming, and engraving.  They work beautifully with other types of jewelry, such as cubic zirconia rings and diamond stud earrings.  Shop for a high quality gold locket at a reputable dealer so you can be sure of getting a lovely keepsake that will last for your lifetime and beyond!