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Kerrie Ann McNaughton
21st April 2009 10:36

Lockets

 

Hi All,

A locket pendant

I know many of you may have seen several blogs in the past about our lovely lockets we now have in both of our showrooms here in our Hertfordshire studio and also our Cambridge studio. These lockets are the perfect gift for every occasion such as a birthday, a christening present and also a lovely wedding present for that someone special. I think it's always lovely to know a bit about the history of a piece of jewellery to share with those you may give this as a gift to.

Lockets have been around for many many years and have had several uses throughout these ages and were a great value to each individual however these meanings have changed quite a bit thought the ages. Lockets have always been a very special and unique piece of jewellery to each individual and is commonly the most popular piece of jewellery anyone could own due to the uses and historic value it could bring to each individual. The lockets started many centuries ago when it was frequently used by people who used to hold certain beliefs where they would place things such as Herbs, potions and powders which were used more as a charm which was said to warn off any evil and sickness towards the wearer, to where it then forwarded onto the Victorian era where the locket was given as condolences to those who have lost a loved ones which a lock of hair or ashes would have been found within it.

The art of putting a piece of hair within the locket became increasingly apart within the Victorian era, you would find the hair which reflected a exchange of lover between two people or most commonly of those who have passed on. This hair art or hair jewellery is now very collectable and can be worth quite a lot of money in today's market. This was also often used during the American civil war where soldiers would leave a lock of hair with their loved ones, if they didn't return this piece of jewellery was then formed into a piece of mourning jewellery.

Although it was during many centuries before the Victorian era in Rome the heart shape lockets become apparent but is wasn't until the Victorian time the heart shape locket became one of the most symbolic lockets to date. Lockets became more widely known as a representation of what it would mean between two loves ones, it was said to echo the hearts of these two individuals and bring them close together. On the other side the heart shape locket was reflected within the heart shown in the Christian world which represented the soul of Jesus.

As times went on these symbols became less apparent and the locket became more of a fashion item, where of course the lockets were still used to encase an important part of ones life, but it was also about the overall look of the particular piece, unlike the very intricate designs shown within the Victorian era.

So as you can see lockets nowadays are less elaborate in style, which gives the wearer more opportunity to personalize them, for example you may have a particular engraving you have seen you would like applying to the lockets of maybe even a birthstone which can be set into one of the bails which is a lovely idea too, all of which will reflect a particular part of each individual.

Please have a look at our two lockets and create a story for your loved one, a family member or a friend for that special occasion.

A locket pendant
A locket pendant

Speak to you all again very soon,

Kerrie-Ann

Kerrie Ann McNaughton
 

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  • Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design, North Barn, Fairclough Hall Farm, Halls Green, Weston, Hertfordshire, SG4 7DP, England
    Phone: +44 (0)1462 790565 Fax: +44 (0)1462 790140 enquiries@hkjewellery.co.uk
  • Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design, 6/7 Green Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3JU, England.
    Phone: +44 (0)1223 461333 Fax: +44 (0)1223 365269 cambridge@hkjewellery.co.uk

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