Aptly named, the collection was inspired by one of Lichtenberg’s clients who accidentally ran over her beloved locket with her car.
Instead of seeing the damaged piece as ruined, Lichtenberg had an idea for a flat-backed interpretation of her design.
The brand said the Smash collection asks the question, What if the lockets are compressed, almost crushed under the weight of the times?
The result: five deliberately flattened pieces that show how a jewel can take a hit and come out stronger.
The “Heart” smash locket in 18-karat yellow gold with a heart-shaped garnet set in 18-karat white gold ($6,740)
The 18-karat yellow gold “Luck” smash locket reads “LUCK” in 18-karat white gold accented by a 0.04-carat emerald ($6,900).
The “Love” smash locket in 18-karat yellow and white gold with a 0.09-carat diamond ($7,040)
Hung on a micro “Lasso” leather cord, the “Fuck” smash locket uses 18-karat yellow and white gold and a 0.07-carat ruby ($6,900).
The “Clover” smash locket features three emeralds in an 18-karat white gold clover set against 18-karat yellow gold ($6,740).
There are five motifs and messages seen throughout the collection that range from tender to provocative and are designed to be either lucky charms or manifestos.
They are a heart, a clover, and the words love, luck, and fuck.
“Smash lockets are a return to what started it all: saying exactly what you mean,” Lichtenberg said.
“‘Love’ and ‘Luck’ are two mottos I’ve always been drawn to, and ‘Fuck’ is a reminder not to take life too seriously. Lastly, the heart and the clover are for those who’d rather make a point without spelling it out.”
Each locket is 18-karat yellow and white gold with ruby, emerald, garnet, or diamond accents.
The pieces are sold on leather cords, “preserving the intimate, talismanic spirit of the originals while introducing a more raw, contemporary edge,” said the brand.
Lichtenberg first added leather cords to her offerings in January with the debut of her “Lasso” baby locket bracelets and has used the material across many styles since.
The Smash capsule collection debuted at Couture.
It retails from $6,740 to $7,040 and is available on the Marie Lichtenberg website.