Antique and vintage gold lockets have long captivated collectors with their intricate designs and rich histories. Worn close to the heart, they are symbols of love, memory and connection.
Origins
The earliest lockets date back to the 16th century, when small containers were worn to hold herbs, perfume or other substances believed to ward off disease. By the 17th century, lockets had become precious adornments holding miniature portraits of loved ones or religious images.
Victorian Lockets
By the Victorian era (1837 to 1901), the locket had become a hugely popular accessory, often given as a romantic gift or to mark a birth, a wedding or a death. Industrialization made jewelry more affordable for the middle classes, and lockets were worn by both women and men. The Victorian love of symbolism shows in their designs, with flowers, hearts, birds and scrolls. Lockets were also central to mourning jewelry, holding locks of hair or, later in the century, photographs of the person who had died.
Edwardian Lockets
Lockets remained popular in the Edwardian era (1901 to 1915), with a shift toward delicate detail, lace-like engraving and floral patterns that reflect the period's elegance. Many Victorian and Edwardian lockets were made in "back and front" construction: a sheet of 9K gold on the front and back, with a base metal interior. This made a gold locket more affordable while keeping a gold surface. Collectors of antique gold heart lockets from this period appreciate the blend of romantic symbolism and fine artistry.
Vintage Lockets
Vintage gold lockets from the early to mid 20th century carry the design influences of their own eras, making each one distinctive. The gold heart locket in particular has remained a beloved keepsake across generations, cherished as a heirloom and as a way of keeping someone close.
Choosing a Locket
When choosing an antique locket, check that the hinge is firm and the clasp closes securely, and look inside: original glass or frames, engraved initials or a date can add to its story. Each antique locket in our collection is one of a kind.