Sterling Silver Filigree Key Pendant, 18″

G by GUESS Oval Key and Heart Necklace

When I started this website I was aware that jewelry was a popular choice of gift for ladies of all ages from birth to Great Grandmas. I also knew that heart jewelry in particular was a favorite for those wishing to express the love they feel for the ones they hold close to their heart. But I soon realized that it is not only lovers who buy this kind of jewelry. Teenage girls and women are buying heart jewelry to accessorize their outfits and as gifts for their female relatives and friends.

Walking round the mall recently, looking for birthday presents and Christmas gifts, I soon realized that there is a huge selection of heart jewelry in a variety of designs, metals and price range. Every department store jewelry counter has a tremendous choice of any piece you can think of. For example, one particular piece that caught my eye in Macy’s was a heart key necklace. It was 14K gold with diamonds inset into it. Without having to search very far I was able to find other heart key necklaces in white gold and sterling silver in different designs. In some the heart formed part of the key and was either an open heart or a solid heart. Some were simple and understated and others, like the diamond encrusted one, was more elaborate and of course more expensive.

In all the department stores I visited I saw lots of different heart key necklaces but I also noticed lots of other pieces of heart jewelry to choose from. In JC Penney I found a silver heart charm necklace with a number of different hearts hung round the chain that I thought was quite unusual and there was a matching charm bracelet to go with it. On the more fun side of things they had a necklace made up of different colored hearts with flowers painted on it. This would make a great gift for a pre-teen girl.

Then there are any number of heart lockets specifically for Mom or Grandma or the many different types of pendants that are available. Other pieces that I caught my eye were heart bracelets. I have already mentioned the silver heart charm bracelet with lots of different heart charms attached to it but I also like those bracelets with just a single heart charm. Some of the others that I found particularly appealing are those bracelets consisting of hearts joined together to form the actual bangle. These can be gold, silver, white gold or tri-colored gold and can consist of open or solid hearts. These bracelets are suitable for those women who prefer the bangle style rather than one with charms dangling from them.

These are just a small selection of the many pieces of heart jewelry I saw during my shopping trip. I didn’t have enough time to check out the heart earrings and rings. Every jewelry counter or jewelry store I passed seemed to have more heart jewelry than I have noticed before. From cheap and cheerful costume jewelry to ultra expensive diamond and precious metal pieces the choice is immense. I know more and more people now shop online because it is more convenient, time saving and usually there is a greater choice of goods and price ranges. However, if you are thinking of buying a heart key necklace or any other piece of jewelry, it might be better to see it in the store before shopping around online to get the best price deal. At least then you have more of an idea of what it looks like, the thickness of the chain and the actual size of the piece you are interested in.

There’s nothing worse than buying something online only to find that it doesn’t live up to expectations when it arrives. Especially if you have left it to the last minute and don’t have time to get a replacement before it is time to give the gift.

Twilight the Movie – Lion and the Lamb Half Heart Necklace Set

Do you remember when you were a teenager and what fashions and jewelry styles were de rigueur? Was it the mod or hippie era of the nineteen sixties or the disco era of the seventies or the new romanticism era of the early eighties or a later decade? Whenever it was, long ago or only recently, there have been very definite styles in fashion and jewelry, whether it was the mini skirt and large geometric shaped plastic jewelry popular with the mods in the 1960s or the Ugg boots and best friend half heart necklace that are popular today.

It was not until the late 1950s and early 1960s that teenagers really came into their own. Prior to this the clothes they wore, the films they watched and the music they listened to was very similar in style to that of the older generation.

UGG Womens Roslynn Boots – Black 8

This all changed when rock and roll music became popular with the younger generation and a so called “generation gap” emerged because their parents did not approve of their teens’ taste in music and dances. The marketing people were quick to pick up on this and suddenly there was a whole new range of films and products aimed at them. Instead of being mini adults they were able to express their identity not only through their music and films but also the clothes and accessories they wore.

My teen years were spent in England during the nineteen sixties and what an exciting time it was, London was where the mini skirt and geometric designs of the mod era originated (Mary Quant) and new groups such as the Beatles, Herman’s Hermits, the Rolling Stones and many others were bursting onto the music scene. I remember wearing mini skirts, knee length boots, hipster flared trousers, hot pants, lots of eye make up and false eyelashes, bobbed hair and big chunky geometric jewelry. One of the mod fashion icons of the day was Twiggy with her cool, chic style and this was the style I favored as I loved getting dressed up and looking smart when I went out. Although I definitely loved the look of the era I never slavishly followed fashion, preferring to add my own individuality to my look.

From the mid sixties another fashion style, imported from the West coast of America, influenced my teen years. This was the hippie style with it’s flowing skirts, peasant blouses, Jesus sandals, long hair and jewelry depicting the peace sign or heart charms representing love or flowers hung on leather straps used as either necklaces or bracelets. Although I adopted some of these fashions into my wardrobe they weren’t really the sort of outfits you wore to the clubs we used to frequent in a big city in England.

Since the emergence of “teenagers” as a separate entity, i.e. no longer a child but yet not an adult, the world of fashion, music and film making has recognized the fact and trends have followed on a regular basis. The hippie and mod fashions of the sixties extended into the “disco” era of the seventies but with the addition of platform shoes and afro hairstyles.

By the late seventies and early eighties some teenagers were into shocking and raging against the establishment and this is when the punk rock bands and their outrageous fashion burst onto the scene. Gone was the smart, clean look and in its place came multi colored Mohican haircuts, for both male and female, scruffy, dirty looking T shirts and jeans and Doc Marten work boots. Body piercing became ever more popular and jewelry ranged from leather collars or thick wrist bands with studs or spikes to razor blades or pull tops from cans hung on chains, not a piece of heart jewelry or other sentimental stuff in sight!

The eighties and early 1990s brought the glamor back with the arrival of the new romantic bands and their flamboyant fashions. This was very much a retro era in fashion with frilly shirts and blouses, glamorous outfits and make up not just for the females but for the males as well. Princess Diana was very much a fashion icon for this particular era, with fashion style from the pearl chokers she popularized to her signature hairstyle that many girls wanted to copy.

Every teen thinks that their fashion statements are different than the previous generation and in some cases they are, especially when you contrast the punk style to the fashions both before and after it. Today’s teenagers are no different and, like previous generations of teens, have very definite ideas on what is cool and what is not whether that is music, clothes and jewelry. However I think some fashions come round again over time. For instance the mini skirt is very much a part of the modern miss wardrobe – the only difference is that it is much shorter than in the nineteen sixties. And the same can be said for jewelry styles such as heart jewelry which was very popular during Victorian times and is now very fashionable with women of all ages. The teenage girls that I know love to wear jewelry and heart bracelets and pendants are definitely a favorite with them.

So even though Ugg boots and half heart necklaces may sound like a strange combination of style items, there have certainly been even more oddities of fashion that have preceded them!

With every year that passes I am finding it increasingly difficult to think of suitable gifts for our daughter for Christmas and her birthday. I suppose I could take the easy way out and give her money or a gift card, at least then she could choose something that she really needs. But for me that seems a little impersonal and also I know how much she enjoys opening gifts to discover the surprise that lies inside the wrapping paper. So this year I am really trying to come up with something I know she would really like but not expect to get.

10k White Gold Diamond-Accent Double Heart Necklace

When we were talking over the summer about jewelry in general, and heart jewelry in particular, she did mention that she would like a heart necklace because she didn’t have one. This got me thinking that maybe this was something we could buy for her to show her that although she is now grown up, married with a child and a successful business woman she is still our “little girl” and still has a place in our hearts. There are so many heart necklaces on the market that the only question is which one to choose.

One of my first thoughts was a double heart necklace as this would symbolize the fact that she has a place in both her Mom and Dad’s heart. Even within this category I was faced with a huge selection of designs. Should I choose something with two interlocking hearts or maybe one with a solid heart (this could be engraved with a personal message like “you are always in our hearts”) and an open diamond heart on a chain? Or maybe it would be better to choose one of the open heart pendants in the Jane Seymour collection as our daughter is a very compassionate person with an open heart.

Sterling Silver Marcasite and Pink Epoxy Double Heart Necklace

But then I got to thinking about other gifts she might like and I know one thing that she would really tresure is some “me” time. She runs her own business so is working full time and then some and so she treasures every moment she can spend with her young son – but that leaves her little or no time for herself. We all need some down time and so instead of jewelry, perhaps a weekend away at a spa resort with a friend would offer her the chance for a bit of pampering and relaxation, with perhaps some form of massage and beauty therapy and above all the chance to sleep later in the morning.

When she was a teenager she loved going to concerts to see her favorite group perform and I know it is something she hasn’t been able to do for a long time because of the cost and also being able to spare the time. A weekend away in a hotel with tickets to see one of her favorite artists is another idea that came to mind. This time she could either go with her husband (not sure they share the same musical tastes) or again she could go with a friend for a “girlie” weekend.

Silver & Pink Crystal Double Heart Charm Pendant Necklace

Another thing that I know she really enjoys is Formula One car racing (she lives in the UK) and one of her ambitions is to go the Monaco Grand Prix race. This may prove to be a bit more than we could afford for one present but I’m sure if all the family members clubbed together we may be able to get tickets for this event.

We haven’t yet finalized what we will give her as a gift for Christmas, it may be a double heart necklace which she could wear when at work or play, or maybe one of the other ideas mentioned – or who knows some other idea may occur to me that seem more appropriate at the time. Whichever one we choose we still have the others in reserve for future birthdays and Christmases! If you are having trouble coming up with fresh gift ideas for a special lady in your life one of the things I have mentioned may be just the right gift for her.

Looking round the stores at the Mall I found lots of lovely heart pendants and bracelets. Two pieces that I particularly liked was a charm bracelet with lots of different heart charms already attached, and to complete the look there was a heart charm necklace to match. This did not have just one heart charm on it like most necklaces but was like a bigger version of the bracelet with lots of different heart charms attached round the chain.

Although there is quite a selection of charms in the Mall jewelry stores I think you have more variety and unusual ones by checking out the online jewelry retailers. Some of these specialize only in charms and their catalogue is huge. So sitting in the comfort of my home I started my search and I soon got involved in looking at “themed” charms with the idea that, whatever I chose, me or other people could possibly add more on other occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries. And as usual I got side tracked into looking at other collections of charms.

Looking at the birthday and holiday charms I realized there are a number of special days throughout the year and that quite a few of them fall between now and Christmas so of course I had to see what, if any, choices of charms there are to commemorate some of these celebrations.

October is breast cancer awareness month and in nearly every area of life you will find articles on sale to commemorate this and to draw people’s attention to it. My local supermarket is selling tote bags to carry your groceries in along with lots of other “pink” items. So it is no surprise that there are lots of different charms that you can buy either for your own collection or to give to friends or family. Not only are these charms beautiful, some of the money raised from them goes to charity to help find a cure. There are lots of other awareness charms available so if there is a specific cause that you are involved with check and see if they have their own charms so that you can raise awareness for their cause.

On a lighter note, Halloween falls at the end of October and if you love dressing up for “trick or treating” then no outfit is complete without some of the spooky jewelry that is available. You can choose from cheap and cheerful plastic spider rings to more expensive skull charms made of silver with gemstones glowing in the eye sockets.

The fourth Thursday in November is the day the USA celebrates Thanksgiving, a day when families and friends gather together to share food and give thanks for what they have. It is traditional to decorate the house and table with pumpkins, fruit, ornaments of the Pilgrims and of course turkeys. If you really want to get into the spirit of things then why not buy a set of matching Thanksgiving jewelry to complete your outfit for the special dinner.

Then of course we come to Christmas and the choice of jewelry representing this holiday season is huge. There are really expensive items like diamond studded angel pendants or snowflakes but there are so many other pieces to choose from that start in price from just a few dollars. I love Christmas and I love dressing up and wearing fun jewelry as it usually puts a smile on people’s faces.

I stopped at Christmas charms because I realized that if I was to look at all the holiday collections I would end up not having time to look for the gifts I want for the people on my list. I will get back to looking for pieces for other celebration days like New Year, St Valentine’s Day and so on after I have finished my holiday shopping.

Sterling Silver Key My Heart Diamond Pendant Necklace (HI, I, 0.10 carat)

Silver UNLOCK My HEART Necklace

Key To My Heart Necklace Set In Gold

Sterling Silver Heart and Key Charms with Two 20 Inch Chains

Key To My Heart Pendant Necklace Rhodium Over Sterling Silver and CZs, 24-inch – Chain Included

Earth Spirit Necklace – Key To My Heart – Earth Spirit Necklace

Key to My Heart Silver Finish Heart and Key Pendant

The Key To My Heart Pave CZ Pendant Length 16 inches (Lengths 16 inches 18 inches Available)

Candygem 14k White Gold Plated 925 Sterling Silver Heart Love Key with Created Ruby Pendant, Free 18 Inch Silver Chain, Free Gift Box.

KEY TO MY HEART / KEY TO YOUR HEART – This best selling pendant necklace (chain included) is a great gift idea a lover, wife, husband, relative boyfriend, girlfriend, fiance or friend. Romantic gift! Perfect anniversary gift idea. Best seller! Love and relationship jewelry necklace! Category: Stainless steel jewelry – Stainless steel pendant necklaces for women / men / ladies or girls. Design: For women or men!

There are many occasions throughout the year when we need to buy a gift for someone.  It might be for a family or friend and it could be for a birthday, an engagement, a Christening, an anniversary or any of the many other special events that you want to mark with a gift.  Choosing the right gift for the occasion can sometimes be quite difficult but some gifts are suitable for any special day.  For instance, women of all ages usually enjoy receiving jewelry as a present and it is a suitable gift for her birthday, anniversary, St Valentine’s Day or even “just because”, especially if it is a piece of heart jewelry from their loved one.

In my opinion, a particularly romantic piece of heart jewelry is a “key to my heart necklace” and would be a very apt gift for a groom to give to his bride on their wedding day.  There are lots of different designs to choose from, such as one with a heart charm and a key which he could have engraved with a personal message.  Yet another design has a heart lock charm with a key to unlock it.  Or he might prefer to get his love a key to my heart locket and enclose a photograph of the two of them. Whichever one he presented to his bride it would convey the message of the love he feels for her – not just on their special day but forever.

While we are on the subject of wedding gifts, let’s not forget that some people prefer to give personal gifts to the happy couple rather than something from their wish list.  If you are into embroidery or cross stitch why not choose from one of the many designs available and stitch a wedding record and have it framed?  There are traditional wedding scenes, beach wedding patterns, joined hands or one of my favorites Disney characters to choose from.  Later on in the relationship (traditionally!), cross stitch pictures also make great gifts to welcome a new baby and can be a picture to complement the nursery theme or a record of the birth date.

What about other people on the gift buying list at other times, not just the wedding couples?  Well, we all have people on our list who are difficult to buy for as they seem to “have everything”. Coming up with ideas for these folks is challenging to say the least. If you know what they are interested in then you can get them a symbolic and unusual gift – such as buying them a share in their favorite chocolate factory, for instance, which was a gift given to my husband on one occasion.  In this case, not only did he get a framed one share certificate, he also receives the annual reports and as a shareholder he has voting rights.  Another gift idea in this vein is the “Own land in all 50 states of America”.  This makes a great fiftieth birthday gift, for example, which is when I saw it used. For other unique present ideas, switch on your computer and search on line for the many unusual gift idea websites that are available. It beats trawling round the Mall looking for that unusual present!

Still looking for more thoughts to spark you into life?  Well, how about this: recently, to mark the birthday of a friend of mine, her family and closest friends arranged for her to experience “a chef’s table” at one of her favorite chef’s restaurants in London.  This experience, not cheap, meant that her and her guests were seated at the table in the kitchen reserved for special guests and VIPs.  Not only did they get to see their meal being prepared and cooked, but she and one of her friends got to help make and “plate up” one of the courses. This was an appropriate gift for her as she is a “foodie” and used to run a fine dining establishment.

So you can take heart – there are indeed some unique and exciting ideas that you can find when you want to deliver a gift that is just a little bit out of the norm.  It does take some time and effort and jewelry is a fine pace to start – but if jewelry is not right for the special person you are trying to surprise, start with some of the thoughts in this article and see which ones you can come up with yourself.  It will be worth it to see the joy that you bring!

Most of the people I asked could come up with someone they wanted to look stupid without too much thought and not all of them chose celebrities or people in the public eye.  For instance, one of the people, who used to work for one of big five consulting firms, chose as their candidate one of the partners in the firm.  This guy was a typical little man with a big ego “puffed up and full of his own self importance”.  He should be made to wear heart shaped earrings because he was an “obnoxious twerp who deserved to be made to look silly”.  Knowing the commentator as I do, it must have been entertaining to see the working relationship that the two had!

At the time I did this survey the World Cup was in full swing and the England team was playing particularly badly and without any enthusiasm for winning a match.  My husband is a big soccer fan and was absolutely disgusted with his team’s performance and so he chose the whole of the England football squad to wear heart earrings, heart bracelets, heart rings, and necklaces.  His reasoning was that they played like a bunch of girls and so they deserved to be made to look like girls.  While I agree that they were anything like the macho men they think they are, I thought his comments were cruel and unfair to women!

Recently there have been surveys done that have found that couples have a sixth sense and often know what the other is thinking and have similar ideas.  This proved true when I was talking to friends and family even though I spoke to them separately.  One of the couples independently chose the Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Renaldo and they would both like to see him wearing heart earrings.  The husband said that he chose Renaldo because he is so arrogant and he wants him to look stupid.  His wife’s reasoning was that Renaldo is so conceited and full of himself.

Yet another couple chose Simon Cowell of American Idol fame and again they both picked the same item of jewelry – a heart necklace.  The lady said she would like to see him wearing a big heart medallion as the heart shape and its symbolism is the polar opposite of him because he comes across as quite heartless.  On the other hand the guy chose the heart necklace for Simon Cowell because he’d look ridiculous and because he is so in love with himself.

As I said earlier, not all of the respondents picked famous people to nominate.  One guy selected one of his neighbors who he would like to see with big heart shaped hoop earrings or a big heart necklace because he is such a big homophobe.  On  the other hand, another of the guys wanted his brother to wear heart rings “because he’d look funny and silly so I could laugh at him and he’d be embarrassed”.  Obviously some sibling rivalry there!

I was rather surprised that only one politician was on the list.  This was Jack Straw, a British Labour Party MP and former Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary and Justice Minister. The person who suggested him also chose an unusual piece of heart jewelry – a tiara with diamonds on it.  When asked why they would like to see this particular Member of Parliament wearing this the answer was, and I quote, “To make him look like a complete fool as everything he says is wrong and he’s a complete waste of space”.  Not much love lost there then!

My own choice would be any number of the car salesmen I have come across over the years (both in the USA and the UK) who even in this day and age think that women have no knowledge of what they are talking about when it comes to buying a car.  There was one occasion when the salesman actually told me to come back with my husband when I asked to go on a test drive!  I would like to see these guys wearing the biggest, flashiest, vulgar pieces of heart jewelry so that they can look as stupid as they sound when they come out with sexist comments.

So have some fun of your own and think about which male celebrity, politician or work colleague you would like to see looking ridiculous wearing heart shaped earrings or any other item of heart jewelry.

Anyhow, despite having said all of that, I’m not really a celebrity watcher but since starting this heart jewelry blog I have taken more notice of the type of jewelry people in the news are wearing as it can have an influence on what is fashionable at any one time.  Not long ago I saw a photograph of Miley Cyrus wearing a black bead necklace with a big black heart charm on it.  This image got me thinking about what kind of heart jewelry other celebrities might look good wearing so I asked my family and friends for their suggestions.  Here are some of their choices:

• Jennifer Aniston – a sterling silver charm bracelet, or even better, a sterling silver heart charm bracelet. When I asked my friend why she thought this would be an appropriate piece of jewelry her response was “because it is feminine and dainty, especially with the hearts”.

• Catherine Zeta Jones – a sterling silver heart charm necklace. This would complement the little black dresses she is often pictured wearing and it would also show off her beautiful long neck and dark hair.  The guy who suggested this said that earrings would not be a good choice as you can’t see them because her hair covers them.

• Eddie Izzard – a black velvet choker with a diamante heart charm in the middle of it. One of my female relatives made this choice because she could see him wearing it as he is a transvestite (or at least, he appears to be) and she also thinks it would suit him.  She is quite a fan of his comedy.

• Paris Hilton – a collar with jewel encrusted hearts on it for her dog. According to my friend, this pampered pooch should have one of these to complement its owner’s jewelry when they are being photographed together.

• Anne Robinson – a silver and diamond heart pendant.  Because she always wears black on her television show “The Weakest Link” this would be the perfect item of jewelry for her to choose as black really show off the sparkle of the silver and diamonds.

• Lady Gaga – an over the top very colorful, chunky necklace.  My friend’s teenage daughter suggested this as Lady Gaga is notorious for her flamboyant, extreme outfits.

• Beyonce – a simple diamante heart bracelet.  Beyonce’s style is glamorous and glitzy and so a diamond bangle would be just the right accessory for her in complete contrast to Lady Gaga’s over the top persona.

• Rachel McAdams – a heart necklace.  My son suggested a yellow or white gold heart pendant would suit her because she is very feminine.  He also said that the Williams sisters would look good wearing a chunky heart bracelet.

• Helen Mirren – heart earrings.  This was my husband’s choice and he was very definite as to the design – they should be stud earrings, delicate and classy, not flashy and made of sterling silver or white gold.  When I asked him why he said “this design is feminine, understated and sophisticated making them ideal for an intelligent, professional woman”.

• Cheryl Cole – a silver heart charm necklace and silver heart earrings.  A friend and her teenage son both chose the same celebrity but decided that different items of jewelry would suit her.

• Eva Longoria – simple long, dangly heart charm earrings.  For this petite, very feminine famous housewife I would choose this design in white gold or sterling silver because this is a style she tends to favor and they look good on her even though she has long hair.

My friends and I had fun thinking about which item of heart jewelry would be appropriate for which celebrity.  So who is your favorite celebrity and what piece of heart jewelry do you think they would wear and why?

However, for a man, finding jewelry that his woman would love can be quite a difficult task. After all, he faces just the same wide range of options available and most of these options are also beautiful and pleasant to the eye, so they therefore appeal to everyone. Which is the right one, the one that is going to bring the most joy and long lasting pleasure?  In such a case, picking up just one piece can be very confusing because how does the man know what specific items are going to appeal to her the most?  Diamonds, gold, silver, rubies and many other choices confuse the issue.

But there is an ideal jewelry item that can come to the rescue when it is not immediately obvious what the lady would prefer.  It is also one that is not only gorgeous but which also conveys some message to the person that it is given to as well as having some significance. The obvious choice is heart jewelry – because the most obvious and popular way of representing love is by using heart shaped objects. Any form of heart jewelry that you give to your beloved, whether it be a heart shaped ring or a heart necklace or some other piece, would convey to her in the most beautiful manner that you care for her and love her extremely.

Nevertheless, even in heart jewelry, the options sometimes seem to be limitless. But among all of these options, the one that carries the most significance is perhaps an open heart pendant and there are two reasons behind this. Firstly, as opposed to a closed heart, an open heart acts as symbol of a heart with a conscience that has no secrets and nothing to hold back. This means that when you present an open heart pendant to your darling, it is the equivalent of saying that your love for her is true, pure and sublime, and that you have not kept any secrets from her. Secondly, unlike a ring, an earring or other kind of jewelry, a pendant is worn close to one’s heart. Therefore, when your beloved wears the open heart pendant given by you, it stays close to her own beating heart, and the two close hearts together signify the bond of love and close proximity between the two of you.

Though heart jewelry is traditionally given to one’s wife or girlfriend, one can in fact present it to any woman in one’s life, be it one’s mother, daughter, sister or even grandmother. After all, it is necessary to profess love to every special person in one’s life. And an item of heart jewelry would not only profess that love on your behalf, it would also make the lady who you give it to really happy, which in turn would supply unmatched satisfaction and happiness to your soul. This makes any heart jewelry, and especially an open heart pendant, the most appropriate gift for the woman in your life, particularly on special occasions such as your anniversary, your engagement or even Christmas.

Open heart pendants are generally bought in a silver color. Nevertheless, gold pendants are also available in the market. The choice between the two should preferably depend on the taste of the person you are buying the pendant for. There are also pendants with diamonds and gemstones encrusted in them. However, these pendants can be very expensive and are meant only for those who can afford to spend a lot of money on a gift – sometimes the amount you spend is suggested by convention or habit but on those special occasions and for those special people, the nature of the gift and the thought behind it is more important than making sure you have spent enough.

All these pendants can be bought either from your local jewelry store or even online. But since any jewelry store is unlikely to have a large stock of these pendants, it is prudent to shop online, as the options on the web are likely to be very many and the probability of you falling in love with one of these available options is really high. However, it is necessary to exercise enough caution while shopping on the Internet in order to save oneself from becoming a victim of the less reputable traders that you sometimes find.  Also remember that while you are checking out what is available you can look at other possibilities for later gifts – for example, heart earrings, a heart brooch or a heart charm bracelet – so you can continue the theme of love beyond this one gift.

With any luck these words give you at least an incentive to find our more about an open heart pendant – and they might just solve your gift buying problems for an occasion or two to come!

14K Yellow Gold Domed Heart Plain Locket

Some pieces of jewelry are simply attractive or particularly beautiful items that make the wearer look even more attractive and add to her (or sometimes his!) appearance, adding sophistication and charm to the impression they make.  But some pieces of jewelry have more significance and history attached to them, even if it not at first obvious.  And this is especially true of that excellent example of heart jewelry, the gold heart locket, because it exhibits highly emotive symbolism to reinforce it’s intrinsic charm.

One fundamental image that it brings to mind is love, because for centuries, the heart has been considered the seat of the emotions.  Poems have been written about it, songs have been sung, plays have been performed.  The heart has been, and continues to be, the enduring symbol of love.  Be it the love between friends, the love of friendship generally or the love felt in a romantic relationship, the heart symbol is easily recognizable throughout the word as a declaration of feeling.  The shape itself crosses boundaries of language and culture to impart a familiar message.  It is no wonder, then, that the heart shape remains a popular staple of fashion.

So heart jewelry has become an increasingly popular way to show that a person is loved.  Be it simple or elaborate, heart jewelry makes a clear statement to all that see it.  Finding the right piece can be difficult because dozens, if not hundreds, of designs exist, and many carry very specific meanings. Pieces that are appropriate for a family member may be inappropriate for a friend; some pieces contain specifically romantic meanings that would be inappropriate for a casual gift. Some pieces of heart jewelry tend to be excessively “showy”, while other pieces are quite understated.  With the dizzying variety of pieces available, making a decision is not a simple task.  For those seeking a more classic look, a simple gold heart locket may be the right choice.

One of the key advantages of this particular sort of locket is the simple, understated message.  A locket symbolizes not only affection in and of itself, but it also shows that the wearer is keeping someone or something close their heart.  Superficially, it may seem to share quite a bit with heart pendants, especially as a general expression of affection or of love.  Unlike a pendant, though, the gold heart locket draws attention not to the composition of the element itself but to the deeper meaning held by the piece.

Lockets are also deeply personal, infinitely customizable pieces.  Classically characterized by containing either small pictures or engraved messages, the locket can be tailored to a specific person, event, or period of time.  The traditional image is of a locket bearing the photograph of a spouse or close family member; these images can be powerful reminders of a person or place in one’s lifetime.  Rather than being a transient gift, meant only to set off a specific outfit or a certain fashion trend, an item of this sort is intended to be a jewelry piece that lasts a lifetime.

As a gold piece, the heart locket also carries a certain amount of value apart from the emotional core.  These lockets can become valuable family heirlooms if they are taken care of properly.  Even the simplest of gold lockets carries a great deal of emotional value for family and friends – for example, who cannot recall the cliché movie scenes of a person finding a long lost locket with the picture of a forgotten love? In addition, passing the locket down through generations is a common enough tradition amongst many families.

By combining the timeless symbol of the heart, the tasteful and understated look of gold, and the emotional weight of the enclosed inscriptions or images, a gold heart locket is a unique piece of jewelry.  Rather than relying on flashy effects, the locket is very much an accessory that has substance and meaning.  This does not, however, mean that the piece is not appealing on its own merits – rather, the simplicity and elegance, along with the mystery of exactly what is held inside, will attract attention without overwhelming the rest of any given ensemble.

All of these ways in which the images and associations combine together mean that, in so many ways, a gold heart locket can be the perfect piece for any occasion.

I was fascinated and a little surprised that overwhelmingly I got the same answer from all but one of those I posed the question to. They all said that they would choose a heart pendant necklace if they were going to buy heart jewelry as a present for someone.  It’s definitely not the result I expected before I started questioning them, because I had imagined that the range of ages an social backgrounds would produce answers that were far more varied.

The first one I asked was my husband as he is very good at choosing and buying jewelry that he knows I will like and that will suit me (he has already bought me some heart shaped earrings and a necklace). He said his choice of heart necklace would be one of the Jayne Seymour collections with an open heart design. Another stipulation he made was that it should not be “big and flash and vulgar” but rather it should be “refined and pretty”.  As to whom he thought it would be appropriate to buy it for, he said that he would only think of buying heart jewelry for “someone he had positive feelings for, someone he loved or respected like wife, mother, daughter or close friend – certainly not a stranger”.

As I asked more people about heart jewelry, I found that all of the guys were consistent in their view that they would only buy heart pendants for the women in their life who they wanted to tell how much they meant to them. For instance, my son said he would buy one for his girlfriend to show his feelings for her.  Like his Dad he would choose something delicate but perhaps with a diamond set into it. On the other hand, the youngest guy to answer my questions was my friend’s young teenage son who said he would buy a silver heart shaped necklace for his Mum as “she would look nice in it and she doesn’t wear earrings”.

When asked, my son-in-law said that a necklace or a pendant were the first items to spring to mind.  He thought that earrings could be too clunky and he would never think of buying a bracelet but he suggested that “a heart pendant necklace looks attractive and smart”.

One of our very dear friends said that he would “buy a silver heart necklace for his wife because she wanted it”.  He also said he would let her pick it out for herself so that she got the one she wanted.  The reason he gave for choosing a heart pendant necklace (and I suspect the other men feel the same way but maybe wouldn’t admit to it!) is “because it hangs round the area to which his eyes are drawn first”. At least he was being honest!

Only one of the guys would not choose to buy jewelry for someone special.  He told me he was not into jewelry at all as he doesn’t see the point of it.  The only precious metal jewelry he thinks is okay is engagement rings and wedding bands for women. All other jewelry is a waste of money unless it is cheap fashion jewelry.  I asked how he felt about buying jewelry as an asset especially as the price of gold and silver has soared recently. His answer was that he “would buy precious metals and gemstones as an asset but not as jewelry, because you need to take away the sentimental value that people associate with jewelry”.

All the men I interviewed gave me very honest answers to the questions I asked and I thank them for that and appreciate their participation.  Why not ask your man what piece of heart jewelry he would buy you and why?  I wonder if his choice will turn out to be a heart pendant necklace?

Before deciding which jewelry storage system to buy, you need to consider all the items in your jewelry collection.  Do you have more pairs of earrings than rings?  Does your collection consist of mostly necklaces?  Is it mostly gold or silver with precious gemstones or does the majority of pieces that you have consist of fashion jewelry?  Thinking about these things will help you choose the right size and kind that will best take care of your pieces.

If you mostly collect gold, silver or pieces made from other precious metals and with gemstones set into them then you will need to ensure you pick the right sort of container for them.  To prevent pieces getting scratched or dented each piece should be stored alone.  Necklaces will become tangled if stored together and the ideal way to store them is in the original box they came in or hung from a hook in a special compartment of a jewelry box.  Rings with stones in them should be stored with the stone uppermost, not only will this help in identifying which ring is which but it will also protect the stones from damage.

The traditional jewelry box, made of wood or metal with velvet lined interior compartments, has been what most women would choose to keep their jewelry in when they are not wearing it.  They may have drawers sectioned off to hold bracelets and necklaces, there may be a section in which you can slot rings, and an earring section for stud earrings.  Depending on the price you want to pay and the size you need, some of these can be a beautiful ornament as well as a useful container.  Along similar lines are the jewelry armoires which can be plain or ornately carved, modern or antique to fit in with most decors.

When it comes to choosing the right container for your more valuable and sentimental pieces of jewelry, be it the heart locket your children bought you for Mother’s Day or the heart bracelet your husband bought you on your anniversary or indeed any type of heart jewelry, it is worth considering choosing a jewelry box that doesn’t necessarily resemble one.  For instance, there are ones that look like a mirror but they have a locked jewelry compartment behind the glass.  There are others that look like picture frames which again have a secret compartment at the back.  If these don’t appeal, consider storing your jewelry box somewhere other than the bedroom as that is the first place a thief will look for valuables if, God forbid, your home gets broken into.

A fun way to display your fashion jewelry is to buy one of the many artistic display stands that are now readily available from a wide range of suppliers.  These are especially good for your less valuable pieces and they can display them to their best advantage.  A porcelain hand makes an ideal ring holder or a harp shaped earring holder will make a colorful display.  From classy to rustic there is bound to be a stand to suit your taste and items of jewelry.

When traveling, always carry your jewelry in your carry on bags to ensure it stays with you.  Soft fabric pouches are ideal to protect your heart earrings, bracelets and pendants.  If you plan on taking lots of jewelry with you, a canvas organizing pouch with multiple compartments would be the best solution as it is less bulky and heavy than a travel jewelry case.

These are just some tips on how best to care for and store your heart jewelry (including your heart locket necklace) to keep it in tip top condition and retain its value.

First of all I asked the question “Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry?” and then followed on with the question about what sort of heart jewelry they would choose if they could only have one piece. As you can imagine they all had very different answers and some of them quite surprised me.

The most popular selection was a heart shaped necklace but for very different reasons.  My daughter’s favorite jewelry item is her eternity ring which her husband bought her when she had their son, understandable really.  When asked what article of heart jewelry she would like someone to buy for her, she chose a yellow gold heart necklace for no other reason than that she does not have one and would really like one.

One of my friend’s teenage daughters would also choose a heart shaped necklace but her metal of choice would be silver (she also quite likes the ones encrusted with crystal or cubic zircon) as it “goes with more stuff”.  Although she was wearing bracelets and earrings she said the silver teddy bear necklace she was wearing was the favorite of all her jewelry.

A heart necklace was also chosen by one of my friends who is quite petite and not the least bit extrovert so her choice of a chunky necklace not made of precious metals or gemstones came as a bit of a surprise. When I asked her why she would choose that design she told me that it would look “funky”.  This from a lady whose style is always understated and never outrageous!

Before I asked my Mom about her favorite jewelry I knew what her answer would be.  It is the diamond solitaire that my Dad bought her two years before he died. I don’t ever remember my Mom wearing any jewelry except her wedding ring and her watch until she received the diamond ring so it came as a surprise that she would like a heart shaped ring because she would like more rings.  Who would have guessed that this eighty eight year old Great Grandma would still be interested in collecting jewelry?

I think the answers that most surprised me came from another of my friends.  She doesn’t have any favorite jewelry because she says she is not comfortable wearing it and although she has some costume jewelry she never thinks of putting it on.  When she was younger she had her ears pierced and used to wear gold earrings and she also had a gold signet ring but as she got older she stopped wearing them and now the only thing she wears is her wedding band.  Although she thinks jewelry looks nice on some people she wouldn’t want any, but she may possibly wear a heart ring.

The youngest member said that her favorite jewelry items were bracelets and she wore two or three at a time varying from plain bangle types to charm bracelets and a mixture of costume jewelry and more expensive ones.  I thought she would therefore choose a heart bracelet as her choice for heart jewelry, especially as she was wearing a very pretty one on the day I spoke to her, but that was not the case.  Instead she suggested that a delicate and tasteful pair of silver heart earrings would probably be her favorite because she could wear them every day and they would go with any outfit.

Her Mom also said that her favorite jewelry pieces were bracelets and even if she didn’t wear any other item of jewelry she felt “bare” and as if something was missing if she didn’t have a bracelet on.  Not surprisingly she said that she would choose a heart bracelet in either silver or white gold as they were her precious metals of choice.  If it was to be a gift from her husband she said she would have to tell him exactly which one she wanted and where to buy it from so that she received the right one as her tastes and his differed so much.

Talking to my friends and family made me realize that women choose their jewelry for a variety of reasons and what one likes may not be right for everybody.  It also showed me that not every woman shares a love of jewelry.  One thing they all agreed on, though, was that if someone bought them a heart shaped necklace, heart earrings or any other piece of heart jewelry it would show how much that person loved them.

However, what the words cannot say, a gift can frequently explain. It’s worth remembering that, in order to set up the most romantic atmosphere possible, preparing a present that will not only touch the heart of the person you love but also be a memory to cherish for a lifetime can go a long way to ensuring success.  In particular, heart jewelry (for example) is definitely that one style that can explain what you truly feel right at an instant.

So what is the significance of giving this type of jewelry? Heart bracelets, heart necklaces, heart earrings and heart brooches are all enormously in demand, but why?  Perhaps it is because the heart has become the universal symbol of love. Being the primary source of life for most living beings, the word has become synonymous with a deeper emotion and an in depth understanding of feelings and spirituality. Because of it’s popularity, there are various types of heart jewelry available in the market today and these can express love in a variety of ways. For a more personal touch, make sure to find a piece that truly describes the characteristics of the person. A heart shaped locket is usually the preferred choice for a gift and if you are considering getting one, take a few moments to examine your options in order to be sure that you are making the right purchase.

Find the perfect moment or an occasion where it is fitting. A wedding, for example, being the most romantic event for a couple is a great venue to display this classic piece of jewelry. Choosing a design can also have an impact on the message you are trying to convey. Other events such as a birthday or Valentine’s Day are also ideal, although for the hopeless romantic, no reason is needed to give a precious gift to a special someone. A heart shaped locket can be made from various materials such as white gold and silver and it can also be encrusted with other gems for an added appeal. Choose a style that will complement her personality. For a classic look, a yellow gold would be the right choice, while for a more casual feel  silver is the best option.

Customized items are also available. Visit a jewelry store and look at the items they offer. Your budget can also affect your jewelry buying. Set a specific amount that you are willing to spend. Local stores can help you in your search and will showcase their items in store. If this is not sufficient, the Internet is the best place to widen the variety of your options. Several online sites also offer great discounts and customized options. If you are looking for a vintage piece, then participate in a web auction where you are most likely to find the best type of investment. An expert jewelry designer can also help you if you have a specific concept in mind. Just be ready to spend a little extra on specialized heart jewelry.

In order to make the selection easier, observe the type of accessories that the person wears on a daily basis. This will give you an idea about their personal taste; it will give you an idea on what color and style to pick. If you are thinking of ordering online, just exercise caution and make sure that you are dealing with an authorized jeweler. Also, make sure to check the feedback and reviews given by previous clients.

The basic premise in finding the perfect item of heart jewelry such as a heart shaped locket for the one you love is by putting her preference first when it comes to design. It should be the type and style of item that will speak not only about your true emotions but will enhance the personality of the one you love. This is a classic investment that can last for a long time.