Lockets

Though very much a sensation in the older times, locket necklaces are fast becoming memorabilia of an age passing. In the past, it used to be very romantic: soldiers recalled for duty exchange lockets with their sweethearts that contain each of their pictures. These serves as a reminder to the soldier that he has a ‘somebody’ to return to and for the girl a reminder that she is to wait for her return. It also used to be sweet: businessmen carry lockets that have pictures of his daughter, reminding him that there is a little one eager for his return, that he has to think of something nice to bring home. It was everything else, lockets carry pictures that are exchanged during marriage vows, as part of the treasure a couple share together. Children are given locket necklaces that have the family picture or else something of value, and we have seen much of this in television (Hint: the musical Annie).

Lockets are therefore mementos as much as they are jewelries. The capacity to keep within something of sentimental value makes them a perfect souvenir or gift on just about anyone on any given occasion.

Though old antique lockets are big and sometimes overly bulky, new locket designs are small and manageable though still having an ample space for storage. Lockets nowadays come on different designs, some are non conventional; the one I’ve seen was designed as a purse though of course the basic essential still remain. That it allows storage capability.

So what is, exactly a locket?

A locket is part of a jewelry (mostly necklace) that has enough space to carry and store anything that might be of value. In the movie musical Annie, the protagonist carries a small memento from her parents, a locket that contains a promise that they will come back for her. Though letters might be the concept of this movie, the most common item to be found on lockets is a picture. They are used prevalently in such fashion that after a while, most lockets are sold carrying a special back for the purpose of keeping photos. Other things are kept on the locket as well. Keys and locks of hair are among them.

For that purpose, lockets have an ample storage space. Older designs of lockets can be bulky and heavy, that lockets became jewelries that aren’t worn normally, instead kept on jewelry boxes or atop a writing desk. Newer models of lockets however are of smaller scale, and they are more aesthetically pleasing besides.

As you can see, lockets are the only jewelry that highly personalized. Since it allows you to keep pictures and other memorabilia, all the more lockets becomes highly prized possessions. Lockets are normally carried as a necklace around the neck. However, as the added weight might become bothersome to some, lockets are sometimes worn dangling on a chain, or else not worn at all.

Traditional lockets are metal cases that have volume. Most lockets have a hinged cover where the cover might have a space in between reserved for a photograph. Most prevalent lockets are heart shapes and circle, though other shapes exist as well such as oval and square. Traditional designs of lockets are always metal cases that have a hinged cover. Today, locket designs have envelope several themes and ornamentation. Such as the one I’ve seen at Generous Gems. There I see sterling silver lockets designed much like a box. Though it could eliminate chances to keep photographs, at least it would look exceptional if worn as a pendant.

The biggest blow to lockets and its usage is connectivity. No one needs to carry physical pictures of loved ones as much as they do in the past. Other media can do that more effectively, like cellphones and PDA. Lockets are just so traditional.