Lockets, by their very nature, are captivating. Beautiful on the outside; the contents are a tantalizing secret known only to the wearer. And this locket- it's even more beguiling! Presenting as a simple butterfly but containing a space inside to tuck a tiny treasure.
The mourning cloak (called a Camberwell beauty in Britain) has one of the longest lifespans of any butterfly, living 11-12 months! Sporting a dusky dark reddish purple wing with a bright golden edge, they do rather look like they are wearing a velvet mourning cloak. L. Hugh Newman, an English entomologist, likened the butterfly's pattern to a girl who, disliking having to be in mourning, defiantly let a few inches of a bright dress show below her mourning dress.
Fine silver locket with an edge of 24k gold, this mourning cloak butterfly is small but mighty. Space inside to tuck a photo of your own with a sterling retaining wire for a photo.
On a 24" sterling cable chain. This little guy is about 1.75" when open, and less than about 1.5" long when closed.