Friday

About Lockets

Floral Oval Locket

Mother of Pearl Cross on Heart Locket

One of my favorite types of jewelry is the locket.  The history behind the type of jewelry is intriguing.  Lockets have been around for hundreds of years and started out simply as a method of storage.  People would use lockets to store valuables that they wanted with them at all times such as medicines, herbs to ward off evils, and even for poisons to use against enemies.  Early lockets were simple and unadorned but as times changed and became slightly less dangerous, lockets evolved into an adornment as well as a storage container.  Instead of poison and potions, Victorian Era wearers added a small token of love and affection, such as locks of hair and painted miniatures to their lockets.  At the same time, the outer casings became more elaborate, transforming into precious metal with elaborate shapes, etchings, and overlays of valuable gemstones.

Today, lockets are still popular although they are much more likely to hold small photographs of loved ones than anything else.  Modern lockets are formed from a multitude of metals and are often shaped as hearts or ovals.   Crosses, flowers and symbols of love are commonly found.  A very nice modern adaptation is personalized engraving.  Lockets are a timeless and romantic jewelry statement, irregardless of its intrepid history.