TREASURE HUNT

A locket, the tiny pendant meant to hold one or more photographs, is more than just a frame for a treasured image. It can also be a symbol of mystery and romance.

Remember the novels you read as a child, where the clue that would solve everything, that would bring everyone back together, was a faded photograph kept in a tiny gold locket? Or the period pieces where lockets were tokens of true, but secret love, kept hidden under clothing away from prying eyes.

After they were born, I looked for a locket to hold photographs of each of my children. But it was difficult to find one that would hold four photographs.

Finally, at an opening reception at an art gallery in town that occasionally sold a few antique pieces, I found a large silver 1930s Art Deco locket with frames for four tiny photographs inside. Slipped into one of the frames was the printed image of a beautiful woman. I suspected it had been in the locket since it was new.

It was exactly what I wanted and I pointed it out to my husband before we left.

Over the next few days I couldn’t stop thinking about the pretty piece, and finally, giving in to temptation, went back to get it. But it was gone.

I was so disappointed. I knew it would be difficult to find another like it.

A few weeks later, on my birthday, I opened a gift from my husband to find the locket inside. I slipped it onto a length of sheer ribbon and wear it often.

In a recent issue of Newsweek magazine, there was a short style feature on lockets, and photo charms, which are trendy again, and it’s true. I’ve noticed more and more in shops and magazines.

But lockets are like all true classics. They may go in and out of fashion, but they are never out of style.

At a recent local antique show, I stopped by the booth of a woman I had never seen there before. On the table were trays filled with dozens of little gold and silver lockets. Some had tiny diamonds and were decorated with elaborate engraving. Some were monogrammed and others were plain and simple. But they were all beautiful. I wondered if there was a story behind the collection, but the dealer was busy and I didn’t get a chance to talk to her.

I spent a few minutes looking through the selection. They were all dainty and delicate and hard to resist. But I already have exactly what I wanted; a tiny silver envelope to hold four photographs of my own true loves.