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Gate Locket Necklace
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87 / 100
ProductScore
Materials: 18K yellow gold with sapphire crystal windows and hand-engraved detailing
View on Monica Rich Kosann →The Verdict
The Gate Locket Necklace is Monica Rich Kosann's signature piece — a beautifully engineered 18K gold locket with sapphire crystal windows and a hand-engraved gate motif. It functions as both a luxury necklace and a deeply personal keepsake, delivering heirloom quality that justifies its investment-level price.
Score Breakdown
What Customers Say
Based on 2,134 mentions across social media and review platforms
The Gate Locket is one of the most emotionally discussed pieces in online jewelry communities. Users share stories about the photos they keep inside, often describing it as their most treasured possession. The sapphire crystal windows and 18K gold construction receive consistent praise for quality and longevity.
"This locket is the most meaningful piece of jewelry I own. I keep photos of my late mother and my newborn daughter inside, and the sapphire crystal keeps them perfectly clear. The 18K gold is substantial and beautiful."
Reddit r/jewelry
"I've had my Gate Locket for six years and it still looks pristine. The hinge mechanism is still tight, the gold hasn't scratched significantly, and the photos inside are as clear as the day I put them in. True heirloom quality."
Google Reviews
"The concept is beautiful but $1,195 is a significant investment for a locket, even in 18K gold. I wish there were more price tiers available. The quality is undeniable though."
Reddit r/femalefashionadvice
"Excellent locket with superior construction. The gate engraving is detailed and elegant, and the opening mechanism is smooth. A thoughtful gift that carries real weight — both literally and figuratively."
Trustpilot
"My husband gave me the Gate Locket for our anniversary with photos of our wedding day inside. I've worn it every day since and it's held up beautifully. The sapphire crystal is genius — the photos are perfectly protected and visible."
Instagram comment
Pros & Cons
Strengths
- + 18K yellow gold construction ensures genuine heirloom durability
- + Sapphire crystal windows protect photos while maintaining clarity
- + Hand-engraved gate motif adds artistic detail to the exterior
- + Hidden clasp mechanism maintains clean visual design
- + Complimentary photo fitting service available through the brand
Trade-offs
- − $1,195 price point requires serious investment commitment
- − Oval shape limits photo dimensions and cropping options
- − Locket adds noticeable weight to the chain
- − Limited exterior design options beyond the gate motif
Specifications
| Metal | 18K yellow gold |
| Windows | Sapphire crystal (9 Mohs hardness) |
| Locket Shape | Oval |
| Locket Dimensions | 22mm x 18mm |
| Chain Length | 18 inches with 2-inch extender |
| Chain Style | Cable link |
| Photo Capacity | 2 photos |
| Clasp | Hidden push-button mechanism |
Alternatives to Consider
Oval Locket with Diamond Border by Monica Rich Kosann
Same brand's premium locket with diamond border for maximum luxury impact
Karma Small Medallion by Foundrae
18K gold pendant with symbolic meaning at a comparable price point
Albion Pendant with Champagne Citrine by David Yurman
Luxury pendant necklace from an iconic brand with gemstone centerpiece
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I insert photos into the Gate Locket?
Will the sapphire crystal scratch or fog over time?
Can I change the photos inside without damaging the locket?
Full Review
The Definitive Modern Locket
The Gate Locket Necklace is the piece that defines Monica Rich Kosann’s vision: a locket engineered for the twenty-first century using materials and techniques that ensure it will outlast the memories it holds. The 18K yellow gold construction provides a warm, substantial foundation, while the hand-engraved gate motif on the exterior adds a layer of artistic detail that elevates the piece beyond mere function. The gate design is symbolic — representing the threshold between private and shared life — and the craftsmanship is exceptional, with clean engraving lines and polished surfaces.
Engineering a Keepsake
The technical innovation that sets this locket apart is the sapphire crystal windows. Rated 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, sapphire crystal provides scratch-proof protection for the photos within while maintaining optical clarity that plain glass or plastic cannot match. The hidden push-button clasp mechanism opens smoothly and closes with a satisfying click, maintaining a clean exterior profile when shut. The hinge is engineered for decades of daily opening and closing without loosening — a critical feature for a piece designed to be interacted with, not just worn.
The Emotional Dimension
What makes the Gate Locket genuinely special is the emotional weight it carries. This is jewelry that becomes more valuable with use, as the photos inside accumulate sentimental significance. Users consistently describe it as their most treasured possession — not for its material value, but for the memories it protects. In an era of digital everything, the analog intimacy of carrying physical photos in a gold locket has a profound emotional resonance.
Investment Perspective
At $1,195, the Gate Locket represents a genuine investment in 18K gold, sapphire crystal, and hand-engraved craftsmanship. Comparable 18K gold lockets from luxury houses command $2,000-$4,000, making the MRK version a strong value proposition within its category. The real return, however, is emotional — this is a piece that will be passed down through generations, gathering meaning along the way.
