The Romance of Vintage Lockets

Vintage clothing and jewelry continue to grow in popularity among fashion trendsetters. One reason for the enormous appeal of accessories such as vintage lockets is the romance attached to these classic pieces. Sit back and allow us to share a little bit about the romance vintage lockets have come to represent.

During Victorian times, a well-dressed lady might carry a miniature painting of a loved one next to her heart in a locket. Portrait artists specializing in these tiny representations were very much in demand with locket wearers. Whether she preferred hearts or ovals, filigree or repousse, there was a locket in the wardrobe of almost every fashionable woman.

This custom of keeping a keepsake close was mentioned often in the fiction of the day. Today's vintage lockets, especially beautiful cameo lockets, hearken back to the days when a novel's star-struck heroine might be forced to keep her devotion a secret. Sweethearts kept apart by war, society or unsympathetic parents used the locket as a way to declare their love without risking discovery.

The mystique of the locket doesn't end there, however. A slightly darker, if no less romantic, use of this popular piece of jewelry emerged when women began carrying a bit of a departed loved one's ashes in their pendants. During the U.S. Civil War, it was also very common for a widow's locket to hold a lock of hair from her departed spouse. Although both customs may seem a bit morbid to us now, they were strong symbols of romantic love in another age.

Speaking of war-time sweethearts, during both world wars lovers from across the globe sent lockets back and forth as a reminder to each other. Special lockets with military symbols, religious symbols and engraved initials were very popular during the War years.

As you can see, today's vintage lockets, cameo lockets and the ever-popular zodiac lockets have a wonderfully romantic heritage. The variety of styles now available makes it possible for jewelry lovers to wear a bit of romantic history with nearly every outfit.

Why not create a legacy of love in your own family by hiding away a keepsake in your own lockets? Select vintage lockets that suit your style, and then let the wonders of digital photography create romantic inserts for them. The locket remains a symbol of undying love. Perhaps someday your descendants will open your vintage lockets and wonder at the love immortalized by what's inside.

What Vintage Jewelry Gifts Say About You

Did you know that the gifts you give say something about the type of person you are? Think about it...if you give only useful, practical gifts, it says "I'm a no-nonsense kind of person." On the other hand, if pocket watches, cameo lockets and nature leaf jewelry are your gifts of choice, it tells the world "I'm an interesting, creative individual."

Your motive for giving gifts, of course, probably isn't to polish your own reputation. I doubt seriously that you choose birthday gifts like zodiac lockets so that people will admire you. Most likely, you choose unique vintage jewelry to give others because it's beautiful and it brings joy to them.

But isn't it fun, honestly, to have someone open a set of handmade leather journals and say, "Your gifts are always so beautiful"? And there's nothing wrong with that! We give gifts out of love, and love should make us feel warm and happy when reflected back to us.

So, now that we've admitted that it's fun and satisfying to give unusual gifts like vintage jewelry, what kinds of birthday gifts or Christmas gifts are likely to prove your creative nature? Keep in mind anyone can pick up a box of chocolates and a dozen roses. To be seen as as warm and loving, we must take the time to buy gifts that suit the recipient.

For the women in your life, choosing cameo lockets tells them "I recognize your classic beauty." Should you go to the trouble of selectingcameo rings to match those vintage lockets, they'll be overwhelmed by your generosity. They'll also know you're clever, as well as thoughtful, when you find just the right nature leaf jewelry to complement their personal style. Remember, a boring gift-giver grabs something off the shelf; someone destined to be famous for their gifts takes the time to get it right.

For the men in your life, you can't go wrong with pocket watches. Whether they're the outdoorsman who'd appreciate a classic hunting case watch to keep the face undamaged or a fashion-forward man who'd love a stylish timepiece, they'll remember your thoughtfulness.

So let's remember as we're buying gifts this year that, while giving gifts isn't all about us, those gifts do reflect on who we are. Being thoughtful enough to select a gift like vintage jewelry tells the world you're one amazing gift-giver!