Locket, Tree of Life, Argentium Silver, Slide-Type Locket for Photo, Secret Message, Aromatherapy, Lock of Hair, Memorial, with order Chain

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. The front of each locket has been created using a tiny jewelry saw for the cut-out pieces, and, in some cases, small pieces made from copper and brass have been soldered on to create the finished scene. The insides of the lockets have been "heat painted" to give them a bright colourful finish (see photos #3, #4, and #7). All of the MAMA'S MEMORIES lockets will come with a BONUS sterling silver chain. 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.

This one-of-a-kind, circle slide-type locket ( 30mm) is called "Tree of Life" (round). This type of locket does not have a side locking device, but it will keep a photo or message quite secure. The silver has a brushed, matte finish and it features a mixed metal tree of life. The back of the locket (see photo #9) has a silver stamp and the artist's initials (hallmark). At the sale price, this locket cannot be personalized. This locket is ready to ship.

** all lockets will include tracking when shipped.

ADDED SERVICE FOR OUR MEMORIAL LOCKET CUSTOMERS:
Salish Sea Gems has partnered with Sacred Life Jewelry (another Vancouver Island Artisan) to provide an additional service for our memorial locket customers. You can now add this service to have hair or ashes incorporated into a permanent man-made gemstone that will fit into the locket directly and permanently. Sacred Life Jewelry will create a "gemstone" to permanently add your keepsake inside the locket. PLEASE USE THE LINK BELOW TO FIND OUT ABOUT THIS NEW SERVICE.
https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/SalishSeaGems/tools/listings/755049065


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 order 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 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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