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| Looking inside lockets and comparing construction styles | ||
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Here is the inside of two better than average quality USA made lockets. The one on the left is 14k gold-filled. and has retaining rings to help hold the pictures and the plastic protective sheets in place. This is a stab from the past, as most lockets pre 1960 were made that way. They can be a bit annoying at times, because the rings tend to be difficult to get back in place after you put in image under them. Many people just put the rings in a drawer for a rainy day and use a bit of glue or tape to hold the pictures. |
The locket on the right, is similar but does not utilize the retaining rings. It also has a frame construction, with the front and back of the locket wrapped around a frame. This is done with pneumatic devices, Note that the hinges are curved on both lockets to match the outside shape. When closed, the hinges are semi recessed and very unobtrusive. | Note, on the silver locket that the pictures are protected with plastic inserts. The small holes you see at the top are where you insert a pin to "pop" out the plastic ovals. You can then use the oval as a template for your picture and cut it out. Then the plastic oval and your photo "sandwich" is placed back inside and the plastic pops back under the lip of the frame and holds the pictures firmly inside.
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| Inside luxury lockets | ||
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The locket on the left is made in England by famous locket maker, Charles Green & Sons. It also utilizes the retaining ring concept to hold in the photos. Frankly, they are annoying and difficult to use. And they take up too much of the live photo area. If you remove the rings(they are gold) and save them in a drawer you 'd be better off. Hold the pictures in with a bit of glue or fun tack if you have any.
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The construction of the Charles Green Locket is very similar to the USA made premium locket. One difference, worth noting is that the locket on the left (Charles Green) has an inner lip that seals the locket from the elements more effectively than the locket on the right, So, if you like to shower with your locket, it might be a better choice for you. (we don't recommend showering with your locket) The inner lip also serves as the mechanism that holds the locket shut instead of the male/female part that keeps the locket on the right snapped shut. | Both lockets have die-struck shells and are manufactured in small volumes, with a great deal of craftsmanship. The bales are cast and hand soldered. The gold on these luxury lockets are at least twice as thick as the gold on a standard, mass produced locket. Note: The Charles Green lockets are only available in 18K gold & platinum. The USA made guild lockets are available in 14K, 18K, and Platinum |
| Three European made lockets | ||
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| Notice the difference between the USA made lockets inside and these, made in the UK and in Italy. Generally the inside of the locket is smooth, not a wrapped frame type of construction. | Note also, that the bales are very different from each other. The lockets appear to be solidly made, but feel generally lighter and thinner than their USA counterparts. | The locket above, the heart with the red inside is made in Italy. The interesting thing about this locket, and others from this company is that the inserts are quite thick and not flexible. |