MONICA RICH KOSANN

Making lockets and charms cool again

Monica Rich Kosann has made it her mission to create jewelry that is not only beautiful but also inspires and empowers the women who wear it. The collection, launched in 2003, was inspired by Kosann’s love of vintage photographs and accessories, most notably lockets discovered at antique shops and flea markets. The New York City-based jewelry designer, fine art photographer, and avid collector has been credited with making lockets cool again.

“Audrey” Link Charm Bracelet with Mini “Love” Charm, May Emerald “Moon” Birthstone Charm, Mini “Apollo” Bow & Arrow Charm, Mini “Capricorn” Zodiac Vermeil Charm & Mini Cushion Key with Blue Topaz, Diamonds & White Enamel

Monica Rich Kosann (MRK) offers the most expansive modern collection of lockets on the market, rooted in personal storytelling, in an array of shapes, sizes, designs, and styles, crafted in 18k gold or sterling silver, with diamonds, gems, and enamel. The brand’s Locket Bar can perfectly size digital images for every MRK locket to print in-store or from any smart phone, tablet, or computer.

MONICA RICH KOSANN

by DEBORAH YONICK

Enamored with the mystery behind vintage lockets, the people who wore them, and the secrets they held, Kosann celebrates this classic jewel as the ideal means of self-expression. She thinks of the locket as the “little black dress of fine jewelry,” something that should be in every woman’s jewelry box, because they work with any wardrobe.

In addition to lockets, MRK creates charms that reflect collective themes women can embrace as expressions of their personal journeys and stories — themes like Carpe Diem and The Time is Now to I Think I Can and You Had The Power All Along My Dear, as inscribed on the Dorothy Medallion, launched last year.

Of the Dorothy Medallion, Kosann shares, “We used it as a vehicle to ask women in our community to share the ending to the thought, ‘I had the power when…’ and they did in beautiful ways.” “The answers were poignant, moving, tearful, and celebratory, but in all instances empowering.”

Universal symbols like celestial beings inspire us to follow our dreams or tell someone we love them to the moon and back, which is why MRK’s My Sun, Moon, and Stars collection works so well. Crafted in 18k gold or sterling silver, MRK uses steel chains to represent the dark sky, twinkling with opals, moonstones, and diamonds, like a starry night.

Kosann drew inspiration for the collection from an E.E. Cummings poem that ends with, “yours is the light by which my spirit’s born: yours is the darkness of my soul’s return — you are my sun, my moon, and all my stars.” Monica comments that “The last line has become such a universal, inspirational quote about adoration, love, and endearment. It tells a story of finding our paths in life and in love.”

MRK is a Certified B Corporation, which means it meets the highest standards of social and environmental impact. Certification involves a rigorous assessment that must be renewed every three years. The brand works with ethically sourced natural diamonds and precious metals, including repurposed natural diamonds and recycled gold and silver. MRK also supports various giving initiatives through its MONICA CARES foundation and employee Volunteer Days.

“I have been painting quite a bit these days, and it has taught me to dig even deeper and look more carefully into the layers and amount of detail that goes into all sorts of art — this of course includes jewelry! I became entranced with agates when we visited one of our stone suppliers many years ago. All of the larger pieces of this stone were filled with thousands of layers, exposing details inside the actual stone that just never stopped giving.

Agate is very well known to be a stone imbued with positive energy. It brings us stability, luck, positivity, and focus, healing any angst or anxiety we might have. It allows us to have positive mental energy, peace of mind.”