MICRO Locket, Self Locking, for Hair/Ashes, Custom Order, Argentium Silver, Over The RAINBOW BRIDGE, Pet Memorial Locket with Chain hotsell

This self locking” MICRO locket called OVER THE RAINBOW BRIDGE, is the SMALLEST locket that we make, being 5/8 inch (18mm) in diameter. The back of the locket is slightly smaller than the front (see photo #6 and #7) and fits inside the front. Once your keepsake (hair or ashes) has been placed into the back piece, the back is slid into the front and twisted until it clicks to lock. Your keepsake is now permanently contained inside the locket.
Even though it is small, this locket can still be personalized which will take 1-2 weeks. This locket features an a rainbow bridge and a paw print to symbolize the loss of a beloved pet. The back of the locket has a silver stamp and the artist's initials (Hallmark). This locket can be personalized on the back (see photo #5, #6, and #7) with a short word, name, or date.

This "keepsake locket" is from our MAMA'S MEMORIES COLLECTION by silversmith Jessie Senecal. These locket pendants are, primarily, made from argentium "Silver Fox" silver, which unlike sterling silver, has less copper and is, therefore, less likely to tarnish. You will find that argentium silver will need less maintenance than sterling silver, but is stronger than fine or pure silver. Each locket has been meticulously created from handmade components, from the design on the front to the locking mechanism. The front of each locket has been created using a tiny jewelry saw for the cut-out pieces, and small pieces made from copper and brass have been soldered on to create the finished scene. All of the MAMA'S MEMORIES lockets will come with a BONUS 18 inch sterling silver snake chain (see photo #8). The pendant and chain will come beautifully packaged with an artist biography, a FREE jewelry cleaning cloth and instructions for its cleaning and care. These are ready to give to a loved one, a friend, or keep for yourself!

Keepsake lockets are a tradition that have been around for centuries (see below for a brief history). They have a secret compartment that was, originally, intended for a photo, a message, or a lock of hair to keep a loved one close to your heart. Lockets have made a resurgence in the jewelry world, and today women use them for all types of keepsakes from a baby's umbilical cord, a first tooth, or a breastmilk pearl. Lockets are also used for remembrance of a loved one or a beloved pet who has passed.

CUSTOM ORDERS & ADDED SERVICES:
* We can make a micro locket using your ideas. Please contact us to discuss your design
* We can also permanently seal this locket closed, so that it will be waterproof (your memorial item or ashes must be in the locket first). Please choose that option in the dropdown menu and send us a message.

** all lockets will include tracking when shipped.

HISTORY OF LOCKETS:

Lockets and charms are heirlooms. Each piece tells a very particular and extremely personal story. The most compelling part of locket necklace wearing relates to the deeper meaning each piece contains. European designs for lockets appear to date to the 16th century, when small pendants were worn to conceal good luck charms to ward off evil spirits. Queen Victoria wore intricate lockets on necklaces as well as on bracelets. She kept those close to her in this way. She honoured her family and her inner circle. She used lockets, as well, as a means of mourning, following the death of her beloved Prince Albert. Queen Victoria entered into a period of intense grief during which time she wore a special locket necklace dedicated to the memory of the departed Prince. It contained, of course, a small portrait or another personal item of (or from) the deceased. Lockets necklaces are gifted now to honour birth. They are given to mark occasions such as graduations, and marriage. They are perhaps the most meaningful gift to commemorate a birthday or Mother's Day. Photo locket necklaces remain a way to remember and honour the dead. As a rule, lockets lend themselves appropriately to bereavement. They may contain a photo. But so too are there lockets for ashes in the form of necklaces, rings, or other keepsakes. Prominent wearing of lockets for ashes is increasingly common - especially as people become more comfortable in speaking openly about mortality. It is now common (if not standard) practice for funeral homes to offer the bereaved keepsake jewelry containing a photo. Or a locket made specifically to contain ashes. People coping with loss often express a wish to literally carry their loved one with them. The bereaved often express an almost primal need not to “scatter” the ashes of a loved one, but rather to keep that person close.

WHAT IS ARGENTIUM SILVER?

Argentium silver 935 is a modern sterling silver alloy, containing 93.5% silver. The traditional sterling alloy (92.5% silver + 7.5% copper) is modified by removing some of the copper and adding the metalloid germanium. Argentium is one brand but there are others available that are quite similar. For example, the argentium silver used for this collection is "Silver Fox" which is another brand name for this alloy. These alloys are a minimum of 92.5% silver though some will be slightly higher hotsell in silver content. The remainder consists of copper and germanium. The germanium makes the alloy harder and more resistant to tarnish.

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#lockets