Sterling Sliver Boxes » Lockets

Sterling Silver Lockets

Thomas Howard — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 01:21:25 +0000

Lockets have been popular for centuries and they continue to be popular today. They originally were used to carry medicines and poisons. By the Victorian era, they were used primarily to hold small personal keepsakes such as locks of hair or the ashes of someone who had died. It was in this time that lockets were also first used to hold miniature portrait paintings, which was the forerunner of the modern practice of using a locket to hold a photograph.

In its basic form, a locket is a pendant that opens to reveal a space used to hold some sort of memento, usually a photograph. They are most often presented as gifts to a loved one on a holiday such as Valentine's Day, or on special occasions such as Christenings or weddings. In the Victorian era, they were often given at funerals.

The most popular form is the heart locket, but other forms such as boxes and ovals are also quite common and many jewelers have experimented with non-traditional shapes throughout the long history of lockets as favorite items of jewelery.

The Victorian Age (1837-1901) is considered by many to be the "golden age" of lockets. Curiously, at that time, they were most often given at funerals and were used to store a lock of hair or the burned ashes of the deceased. Antique lockets are always highly prized by collectors. Condition is always a prime concern qith older lockets and the hinge assembly should be carefully examined for damage and/or repairs.

Modern manufacturing methods have made high quality lockets affordable for everyone and even a modestly priced modern locket will often be of better quality than an antique locket, so as always, "Let the Buyer Beware."

Free Collector's Guide

To bid on any item below, simply click on the blue link next to the item. If you are new to online auctions, you can see my New to Auctions page for more information, including a very nice free video tutorial.

Solid Stamped 925 Sterling Silver Engraved Heart Locket
US $20.00

Sterling Silver Diamond Claddagh Locket Irish Made celtic white ring heart 925
US $41.99

Sterling Silver FILIGREE RECTANGULAR LOCKET W CROSS GENUINE A
US $58.20

Sterling Silver LARGE ENGRAVED HEART LOCKET
US $62.50

Sterling Silver OVAL ENGRAVED LOCKET
US $39.10

Sterling Silver EXTRA SMALL ENGRAVED HEART LOCKET
US $18.75

Sterling Silver HP RECTANGULAR LOCKET
US $64.15

Sterling Silver MEDIUM HP HEART LOCKET
US $34.20

Sterling Silver ROUND HIGH POLISH PUFFY LOCKET
US $64.15

Sterling Silver EXTRA SMALL ETCHED ROUND LOCKET
US $33.50

Sterling Silver EXTRA SMALL OVAL ETCHED LOCKET
US $19.90

Sterling Silver HIGH POLISH RECTANGULAR PUFFY LOCKET
US $37.90

Sterling Silver TT SMALL ETCHED HEART LOCKET
US $19.95

Sterling Silver MEDIUM HIGH POLISH W ETCHED BORDER HEART LOCKET
US $21.15

Sterling Silver OPEN FILIGREE SQUARE LOCKET W GENUINE GARNET
US $40.45

Sterling Silver ANTIQ CLADDAGH LOCKET W CROSS BORDER FILIGREE
US $84.55

Sterling Silver Dolphin Heart Locket Jewelry 15mm
US $25.99

$120 Sterling Silver Giani Bernini necklace with Heart Locket
US $50.00

sterling silver LOCKET925 ITALY LOCKET W CHAINsterling chain AND LOCKETCHAIN
US $29.99

Fritch Bros Flower Heart Locket Hand Engraved Vintage Sterling Silver Pendant
US $29.99

Sterling Silver Locket
US $10.00

Sterling Silver Large 6 Picture Photo Ball Locket Charm Pendant
US $140.24

Sterling Silver 6 Picture Photo Ball Locket Charm Pendant
US $86.24

Sterling Silver 4 Picture Photo Ball Openwork Design Locket Char
US $55.99

Sterling Silver 6 Picture Photo Ball Openwork Design Locket Char
US $68.99

Sterling Silver 2 Picture Photo Ball Openwork Design Locket Char
US $43.74

Sterling Silver Celtic Spiral Locket Necklace Pendant Irish jewellery chain 925
US $29.99

925 Sterling Silver Harmony Ball Chime Pendant Cage Filigree Locket Frog Charm
US $17.95

Antique Sterling Silver Open Locket Pendant Necklace
US $431.16

Sterling Silver Satin Multi Heart Locket
US $44.34

Sterling Silver Plain Heart Locket
US $42.76

925 Sterling Silver Cluster Diamond CZ Locket Pendant
US $20.58

925 Sterling Silver Syn Topaz CZ Heart Locket Pendant
US $36.42

925 Sterling Silver Syn Topaz CZ Drop Locket Pendant
US $31.67

925 Sterling Silver Syn Topaz Diamond CZ Locket Pendant
US $39.59

925 Sterling Silver GP Diamond CZ Big Locket Pendant
US $44.34

925 Sterling Silver Syn Amethyst Circle Locket Pendant
US $34.84

925 Sterling Silver Diamond CZ Heart Locket Pendant
US $15.83

UNIQUE VICTORIAN STERLING SILVER ENGRAVED LOCKET CHAIN C1900
US $942.66

Sterling Silver Celtic Claddagh Locket Necklace Pendant Irish ring heart 925
US $38.99

Sterling Silver Emerald Claddagh Locket Irish Made celtic green ring heart 925
US $41.99

Genuine Sterling Silver LOCKETS PINK TOURMARINE 047 Ct
US $24.99

Sterling Silver Hearts Design Childrens Locket 13mm
US $43.00

Sterling Silver 925 Crystal Heart Locket Bracelet Charm
US $22.00

925 Sterling Silver Engraved Small LOVE HEART Locket 16 Chain
US $20.58

VICTORIAN STERLING SILVER LOCKET ROPE CHAIN
US $602.03

locket and 18 curb chain 925 Sterling silver pendant p137
US $36.36

925 Sterling Silver Engraved LOVE HEART Locket 16 Chain Bargain
US $23.75

Solid 925 Sterling Silver HEART Locket Chain Bargain
US $23.75

Sterling Silver Hand Engraved Oval Locket 15 x19mm 017
US $20.95

Sterling Silver Gold Egg Locket St Basil Basil Enamel
US $249.95

Sterling Silver Hand Engraved Oval Locket 22 x 27mm 07
US $28.95

925 Sterling Silver Round Floral Locket Necklace new
US $21.95

Sterling Silver CZ Floral Locket
US $70.50

Sterling Silver 3D Personalized Locket Necklace 3D Face
US $179.00

I LOVE YOU 925 STERLING SILVER HEART LOCKET RING SZ 8
US $55.41

RARE Tiffany Co ITALY Sterling Silver Heart Locket Pendant Necklace
US $450.00

Vtg PUFFY HEART LOCKET Sterling Silver Charm Pendant 925 Etch 2 side VALENTINE
US $15.99

Vintage Sterling Silver Locket Pendant 21mm X 15mm VM3
US $49.99

vintage reproduction heart locket antique style sterling silver jewelry necklace
US $25.00

LOCKET WITH CHAIN 12S70364 12MM STERLING SILVER W 16 SPARKLING CABLE LINK NEW
US $49.99

925 Sterling Silver Necklace Heart Pendant Locket Flowers NIB
US $6.99

New Sterling Silver Marcasite and Onyx Locket Necklace
US $59.99

LOCKET WITH CHAIN 12S70365 12MM STERLING SILVER W 16 SPARKLING CABLE LINK NEW
US $49.99

LOCKET WITH CHAIN 12S70486 12MM STERLING SILVER W 16 SPARKLING CABLE LINK NEW
US $49.99

Gold Over Sterling Silver Heart Locket Charm Pendant
US $44.10

Sterling Silver Diamond Cut Heart Locket Necklace 25 Silver Chain
US $40.00

LOCKET WITH CHAIN 12S70487R 12MM STERLING SILVER W 16 SPARKLING CABLE LINK NEW
US $49.99

Sterling Silver Necklace with Sterling Silver Locket
US $9.99

Lovely New Sterling Silver Polished Domed Oval Locket
US $62.99

Beautiful New Sterling Silver Polished Locket
US $30.99

Elegant Georg Jensen Round Locket Sterling Silver
US $82.75

STERLING Silver 925 SMALL MARCASITE HEART LOCKET On An 18 Sterling SILVER Chain
US $54.95

STERLING SILVER HEART SHAPED LOCKET 1 1 4 INCHES LONG
US $25.00

Sterling Silver Oval Filigree Locket w Celtic Knot
US $31.50

Love Locket Sterling Silver w necklace Original retail price $150
US $35.00

Key Heart Shaped Design Locket Key Pendant Sterling Silver 1 x 1 4 2 Pictures
US $36.00

Sterling Silver Half Engraved Locket and Chain
US $51.89

Sterling Silver Oval Pointed Locket and Chain
US $57.75

Brand New Sterling Silver 4 Way Heart Locket with Chain
US $29.99

LOCKET WITH CHAIN 12S70489 12MM STERLING SILVER W 16 SPARKLING CABLE LINK NEW
US $49.99

STERLING SILVER 925 BALINESE PRAYER BOX PENDANT LOCKET W AMETHYST
US $19.99

BRAND NEW 925 STERLING SILVER FOUR SIDED HEART LOCKET GIFT BOXED
US $158.43

LOCKET WITH CHAIN 16S20173D 16MM STERLING SILVER DIA W 18 CABLE LINK NEW
US $69.99

Sterling Silver Small Plain Oval Locket
US $42.76

LOCKET WITH CHAIN 16S20364 16MM STERLING SILVER W 18 SPARKLING CABLE LINK NEW
US $59.99

Gold Lockets

Thomas Howard — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 01:15:10 +0000

Lockets have been around for centuries, becoming very popular during the Victorian Era. Lockets of that time period were used to hold small painted pictures and locks of hair. The lockets were not only worn as a pendent around the neck, but on bracelets and on other pieces jewelry as well.

Most lockets today are made of sterling silver, 14K yellow gold, 14K white gold, or 18k yellow gold. It is also common to see lockets that are gold filled. Gold filled lockets are usually priced similar to sterling silver lockets, but must, by law, have one layer of at least 10K gold that makes up at least 5% of the total weight of the locket.

Free Collector's Guide

DARK GOLD LOCKET GLASS JADE GREEN GLASS CAMEO CABOCHON VINTAGE NECKLACE
US $9.09

DARK GOLD LOCKET RED ROSE CAMEO VINTAGE NECKLACE
US $8.67

Antique 9ct 9K Gold Open Locket Photo Front Back
US $297.17

VINTAGE HAYWARDs GOLD FILLED 12kt HEART LOCKET PENDANT NECKLACE
US $24.99

DARK GOLD LOCKET lt pink ROSE CAMEO VINTAGE NECKLACE
US $9.09

DARK GOLD LOCKET BLUE ROSE VINTAGE NECKLACE
US $9.09

Estate 14K Gold Golden Beryl Locket Pendant Fine Jewelry
US $551.20

DARK GOLD LOCKET TURQUOISE LUCITE CAMEO VINTAGE NECKLACE
US $8.67

Classic womens 14k yellow gold filled heart locket bracelet fine chain 86
US $7.55

New 14k Gold Heart LOCKET with Flowers Free Ship
US $329.99

New 14k Gold 23mm Round Flower LOCKET Free Ship
US $319.99