There’s something about the look of a single key charm hanging on a long delicate chain that I absolutely love. I can’t exactly explain why, but I’ve been obsessed with the concept for a while now. So obsessed, in fact, that I stole an old key my parents had lying around the house, bought chain from a jewelry store and used pliers to attach it. I wore the necklace all the time and frequently received compliments on it.
Then, as if my dream came true, Tiffany & Co released their Tiffany Key line. Disclaimer; I am a Tiffanys girl. Blame my mom, who has incredibly expensive taste, but I have always been infatuated with the turquoise boxes and white ribbons, so you can imagine my puppy dog eyes as I browsed the collection online. I immediately fell for the “Twist Heart Key Pendant” and the “Fleur de Lis Pendant.” Then I saw the price tag. $275 for a simple silver key and chain?! You have got to be kidding me.
Far, far out of my measly college budget, I closed the webpage and stuck with my do-it-yourself version. A few months later, I found a silver (er, metal?) Forever 21 knock off for just $5 that had 3 keys hanging from a linked chain. I also purchased an antique-looking gold key at a random mall stand to add to my collection.
Over the past year, I’ve seen the key trend surface in Hollywood time and time again. A stunning Leighton Meester was seeing sporting a small platinum version of the “Fleur de Lis” key, while other celebrities such as Jessica Biel, Ashley Greene, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift were all spotted bearing similar keys, all in different precious metals, shapes and sizes. Yet for some reason, I have yet to see the trend hit Boston or the east coast.
Just a few weeks ago for Valentine’s Day, Tiffanys released their latest line – the Lock collection. Of course just one look at the beautiful rose gold necklace Blake Lively wore for the company has me drooling. The price tags on these babies are just as exorbitant, although there are a few of the smaller silver ones that don’t completely break the bank. My favorites are the “Heart Lock Pendant” and “Vintage Round Lock Pendant,” each $150 (without a chain).
In January, I was home in Los Angeles for a week before my semester began. When my mom suggested we head to Tiffany’s to browse one afternoon, I wasn’t too shocked. After all, what young woman doesn’t love spending time in that jewelry store?
But when we began matching the stunning Fleur de Lis key with the 18 inch Oval Link Chain and the words “we’ll take it” escaped my mom’s mouth, my jaw almost dropped. She had the key wrapped for me and handed me the crisp, turquoise bag with a grin on her face.
Ever since then, I’ve worn my key every opportunity I can. My knock-off versions hang abandoned on my jewelry tree, but for once, I don’t feel guilty about not wearing those pieces of jewelry.
Key & lock photos courtesy of Tiffany’s. Celebrity photos from closetcravings, jewellerystylist, lovelyjessicabiel, coolspotters, and budgetfashionreport.