Heart Jewelry Choices, Heart Jewellery Allure

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.

Are you having trouble deciding on the best way to store your heart locket necklace (and other pieces of jewelry!) to ensure that they remain in sparkling condition for the next time you wear them?  You could choose to keep them in the box they originally came in but then you are left not knowing what is in each box, unless you only have a small number of items.  Alternatively you could choose one of the many jewelry boxes, jewelry armoires, jewelry organizers or creative jewelry stands that are on the market.

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.