*This series includes a gifted locket by Monica Rich Kosann. I have had this locket on my wish list for years and am so grateful to work with Monica on this series.
A little bit ago, I shared my desire to add a locket to my jewelry collection for my birthday. In that post I outlined why I wanted this classic piece, and what went into my decision to work with Monica Rich Kosann on such a special addition. If you missed that post, you can read it here.
In today's post I'm going to delve a little deeper into the process and share a bit about some of the different shapes and materials that are available for lockets and my personal choices for each. You can see all of Monica’s lockets here.
AVAILABLE SHAPES
When it comes to locket shapes, I immediately picture the standard oval or round shape but as I delved deeper into the world of this timeless piece I learned that there are actually a variety of shapes and sizes to choose from and jewelers like Monica Rich Kosann offer an incredible selection that stretches even farther outside the box. Below, I've outlined three most popular options that Monica offers.
OVAL: First up let’s discuss my personal favorite and the one I’ve chosen, the classic oval. This slim oval has delicate lines and measures 3/4" in height and 5/8" in width. I love how the oval isn’t too oval and is the perfect width to length ratio to be versatile and timeless. Plus, the measurements are small but not too small and comes on a 17” diamond-cut disappearing chain.
SQUARE, SLIM CUSHION: Next up is the slim cushion which is essentially a delicately rounded square. This slim, fresh, and modern silhouette has a streamlined side profile measuring less than 3/16” thick, and approximately 1/2” tall and 1/2” wide.
ROUND: When I think of lockets, the classic round style is one of the first I picture. This slim circle has a streamlined side profile measuring less than 3/16” thick like the slim cushion and looks incredibly classic.
THE AVAILABLE METALS
Like most jewelry, lockets are available in a variety of metals to suit your personal preferences and budget and Monica specifically offers 18k yellow gold, 18k white gold, 18k rose gold, sterling silver and ceramic. Below, I've embedded the specifics of these metals in order to help you decide which is best for you and your needs.
18 Carat Yellow Gold: First, I want to discuss is my personal favorite - 18k yellow gold. I love it for it's incredible gold hue and durability. 18ct gold consists of 75% gold and has the highest concentration of gold among the most commonly sold golds on the market - it's hard to find carats higher than 18 because they are far too delicate for everyday wear. 18ct gold has a tendency to be softer than 14ct gold and in some instances it can show wear and tear more quickly than lower carats but it has the loveliest, richest gold hue that I think is well worth needing a few more polishes in your lifetime.
18 Carat White Gold: White gold is made up of pure gold and alloy metals that have a silvery-white color, such as palladium and silver.
18 Carat Rose Gold: Rose gold is a mixture of classic yellow gold, silver, and copper. The silver and the copper combine to create the pink hue that we associate with rose gold.
Sterling Silver: Sterling silver is an alloy of silver that contains 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of other metals, usually copper. Mixing silver with other metals can decrease the tarnishing and also strengthen the silver which is naturally soft and prone to denting and scratches.
Ceramic: When it comes to ceramic, the material used in jewelry isn’t the same ceramic that you find in crafts etc. Instead, jewelry-grade ceramic is also called titanium carbide and is very hard and durable and a material used in many industrial fields.
WHAT I'VE CHOSEN & WHY
Now I want to share a little bit about what I've chosen and why. For my personal locket I knew I wanted a solid, yellow gold option in 18 carat gold.
I’ve chosen this because I love gold and the slim oval is such a perfect shape that I’m immediately drawn to.
I also absolutely LOVE the rich gold hue of 18 ct gold and how it suits my skin tone and couldn't be more excited about having such a beautiful piece!
