There’s something about a locket that just gets you right in the feels. Open one up and there’s a tiny window into someone’s whole world – a face, a moment, a memory they carry with them every single day. That’s the thing about photo locket jewellery. It’s not just a pretty piece of jewellery. It’s wearable sentiment.
Whether you’re thinking about buying one for yourself, searching for the perfect gift, or you’ve found a locket and your wondering what on earth to actually put inside it – this guide’s got you covered. We’re breaking down everything you need to know about photo lockets: the history, the styles, what to put in them, and who they make the absolute ideal gift for.
What is a Photo Locket? Meaning and History
A locket is a pendant (or bracelet charm) that opens on a small hinge to reveal a hidden space inside. Traditional lockets were used to hold miniature portraits, locks of hair, or pressed flowers. Modern photo lockets hold a small printed photograph – sometimes two – tucked neatly inside.
The meaning behind a locket necklace is beautifully simple: it lets you keep someone close, even when they’re miles away. People have been wearing them for exactly that reason since the 16th century. Queen Elizabeth I famously wore a locket ring containing a portrait of her mother – and across the Victorian era, lockets became one of the most popular pieces of sentimental jewellery in Britain.
They never really went out of style. And honestly? It’s not hard to see why. There’s no other piece of jewellery that lets you carry a face you love right next to your heart.
The Different Styles of Photo Locket Jewellery
Not all lockets are the same – and the style you go for will depend on the person wearing it, the occasion, and whether they’re more of a necklace person or a bracelet person. Here’s a breakdown of the four styles in Allure’s photo locket jewellery collection.
Heart Photo Locket Necklace
The classic. A heart-shaped pendant that opens to hold your favourite photo. The Heart Photo Locket Necklace is the one people picture when they think of a locket – timeless, romantic, and genuinely stunning as a gift. Works for pretty much every recipient and every occasion.
Birthstone Photo Locket Necklace
A heart locket with a little extra personalisation. The Birthstone Photo Locket Necklace features a gemstone set into the locket that corresponds to the wearer’s birth month – making it a completely one-of-a-kind piece. If you’re looking for a gift that feels truly made for someone, this is it.
Heart Photo Locket Bracelet
All the sentiment of a locket, worn on the wrist. The Heart Photo Locket Bracelet is a beautiful choice for someone who prefers bracelets, or who wants to layer their locket alongside other wrist pieces. Same heart shape, same hidden photo – just a slightly different way to wear it.
Circle Photo Locket Bracelet
A sleeker, more modern take on the locket. The Circle Photo Locket Bracelet has a round pendant charm that opens to reveal your photo inside – a little more understated than the heart shape, but no less meaningful.
Heart vs Round Locket – Which Should You Choose?
Short answer: it comes down to personal style. Heart lockets are romantic and classic – they have a softness to them that makes them feel especially sentimental. Round lockets are slightly more versatile and modern, sitting a little more cleanly alongside other jewellery. If you’re buying as a gift and you’re not sure which to go for, the heart tends to land more emotionally – especially for occasions like birthdays, Mother’s Day, or anniversaries.
What to Put in a Locket
This is the question that brings most people here – and it’s a good one. The photo that goes inside a locket isn’t like a framed photo on a shelf. It’s tiny, it’s personal, and it’s something the wearer will see every time they open it. So it’s worth thinking about.
A photo of someone they love. The most common choice – and for good reason. A partner, a child, a parent, a best friend. Someone they want to feel close to. For couples, a favourite photo from a holiday or a special date works brilliantly. For parents, a baby photo of their child is a popular choice.
A late loved one. Lockets have long been used as a way of keeping a person’s memory close after they’ve passed. A photo of a parent, grandparent, or pet that’s no longer here gives the wearer something to hold onto – quite literally. It’s one of the most touching gifts you can give to someone who’s grieving.
A pet. Don’t underestimate how much people love their animals. A photo of a beloved dog, cat, or other pet inside a locket is a genuinely lovely gesture – especially for someone whose pet has passed or who is away from home a lot.
Tips for choosing the right photo:
- Go for a close-up where the face is clearly visible – locket photos are small, so detail gets lost in wide shots
- Black and white photos often work beautifully inside lockets
- A solo shot tends to work better than a group photo where faces are tiny
- If you’re buying the locket as a gift, Allure will print and insert the photo for you – just upload it when ordering
Who is a Photo Locket Perfect For?
The short answer is: almost everyone. But here are the people who tend to love them most.
For Nan or Grandma
A locket for nan is one of those gifts that will genuinely never leave her neck. A photo of the grandkids, a late partner, or the whole family inside a locket – it’s the kind of present that gets worn every day and talked about with everyone she meets. If you’re stuck on what to get a grandparent who has everything, this is the answer.
For a Daughter
Whether she’s turning 16, heading off to university, or hitting any other milestone – a locket is a gift that grows with her. A photo of the two of you, a photo of the whole family, or even a photo of her pet. It’s personal, it’s beautiful, and it’s something she’ll have for years.
As a Graduation Gift
Graduation is one of those big, life-changing moments – and it deserves a gift that matches. A personalised photo locket is a meaningful way to mark the occasion, and it sits at a great price point for a graduation present. Pair it with a photo from a special moment together, and it becomes something she’ll genuinely treasure. Browse the full graduation jewellery collection for more inspiration.
As a Memorial Gift
For someone who’s lost a parent, grandparent, partner, or close friend, a memorial locket is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give. It lets them carry that person with them wherever they go – and for many people, that means an enormous amount. It’s a gift that acknowledges their grief while giving them something beautiful to hold onto.
How to Choose the Right Photo Locket
Feeling a bit spoilt for choice? Here’s a simple way to narrow it down.
Necklace or bracelet? Think about what the person usually wears. If they’re a necklace person, go for the Heart Photo Locket Necklace or the Birthstone version. If they tend to wear bracelets, the Heart or Circle Locket Bracelet will suit them better.
Heart or circle? As covered above – heart for something romantic or sentimental, circle for something a little more modern or understated.
Want extra personalisation? The Birthstone Photo Locket Necklace adds a birth month gemstone on top of the photo inside, making it a completely unique piece. It’s a great shout for milestone birthdays or Mother’s Day.
Budget? All four lockets sit at an accessible price point – head to the photo locket collection to compare prices and choose the right one.
Every Allure locket is handmade to order and comes beautifully packaged – ready to give straight away.
Shop Allure’s Photo Locket Jewellery
Ready to find the perfect locket? Browse the full Allure photo locket collection or jump straight to the style you’re after:
- Heart Photo Locket Necklace
- Birthstone Photo Locket Necklace
- Heart Photo Locket Bracelet
- Circle Photo Locket Bracelet
FAQ
What photos can I put in a locket?
You can put any photo you like inside an Allure photo locket – a partner, child, parent, pet, or loved one who has passed. At checkout, you’ll upload the photo digitally and we’ll print and insert it for you. For best results, use a close-up shot where the face is clearly visible.
Can you put two photos in a locket?
Yes – most Allure lockets can hold one or two photos inside. Check the individual product page for details on each style.
What’s the difference between a heart locket and a round locket?
It comes down to shape and style. Heart lockets have a more romantic, classic feel – ideal for sentimental occasions. Round lockets are slightly more modern and versatile, sitting cleanly alongside other jewellery. Both hold photos and open on a small hinge.
Are lockets a good gift for nan?
They’re one of the best. A personalised photo locket with a photo of the grandkids, the family, or a late partner is a gift most grandmothers will wear every single day. It’s thoughtful, beautiful, and genuinely personal.
Do Allure lockets come gift wrapped?
All Allure jewellery is sent in beautiful packaging and is ready to give straight away. You can also add a gift packaging upgrade to make it extra special.
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