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Photo Necklace With a Picture Inside: How It Works & How to Choose

Imagine wearing a necklace that looks completely normal to everyone else – but hidden inside the pendant is a photo that only you know is there.

That’s exactly what a photo necklace does. Sometimes called a picture necklace or hidden photo necklace, it’s a piece of personalised jewellery with a secret photo built into the pendant. You can see it by looking closely into the front of the necklace, or by shining a light through it to project the image onto a surface. From the outside, it just looks like a beautiful necklace. But to you, it carries a memory that means the world.

Whether it’s a photo of your partner, your kids, your pet, or someone you’ve lost – a photo necklace lets you carry that moment with you everywhere, every day. It’s one of the most popular personalised gifts in the UK right now, and once you see how it works, it’s easy to understand why.

In this guide, we’ll explain exactly how they work, walk you through every style available and help you choose the right one.

How Does a Photo Necklace Work?

Every photo necklace uses a tiny micro-printed lens built into the pendant. Your chosen photo is printed at a microscopic level inside the stone or charm, which means it’s permanently part of the necklace – it won’t fade, peel or wash off.

There are two ways to see the picture inside:

Look directly into it. Hold the photo pendant close to your eye (or your phone camera) and peer into the front of the bubble. You’ll see your photo appear inside, clear and detailed. It takes a second to focus, but once you find the angle it’s unmistakable.

Shine a light through it. Point your phone torch through the back of the pendant in a dimly lit room. Your photo will project onto a nearby wall or surface – like a tiny personal projector. This is usually the way people show it off to friends and family.

The photo is chosen by you when you order. You upload any image you like and it gets printed into the necklace specifically for you. Every piece is made to order, so no two are ever the same.

Every Photo Necklace Style (& How to Choose)

We make seven different photo necklaces, each with a slightly different design. They all hide a photo inside in exactly the same way — the difference is the shape and style of the pendant and chain.

Every necklace is made from 316 Stainless Steel (tarnish-proof, fade-proof, won’t turn green), comes on a 45cm chain plus 5cm of adjustability, and is available in Silver, Gold and Rose Gold finishes. Six of the seven also offer a 925 Sterling Silver upgrade.

Here’s every option, starting with our most popular:

1. Crossed Heart Photo Necklace — Best Seller

Crossed heart photo necklace with hidden picture inside

Price: £39.99 (was £66.99) | 925 Sterling Silver: £47.99 Reviews: ★★★★★ 69 customer ratings

Our best-seller, and for good reason. The crossed heart design wraps around the photo stone in a way that feels romantic and elegant without being over the top. It’s the one most people choose for a partner or as an anniversary gift. The heart shape makes the meaning obvious – this is a necklace about love. If you’re buying a photo necklace for women as a gift and you’re not sure which style to go for, this is the safest bet.

Best for: Partners, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day

👉 Shop the Crossed Heart Photo Necklace

2. Circle Photo Necklace — Most Versatile

Circle photo necklace with picture inside pendant

Price: £39.99 (was £66.99) | 925 Sterling Silver: £47.99 Reviews: ★★★★★ 31 customer ratings

Clean, minimal and versatile. The circle pendant keeps things simple — no hearts, no shapes, just a sleek round stone on a delicate chain. This is the one people tend to choose when they want something they can wear every single day without it clashing with anything. It’s also the most popular choice for memorial necklaces because the design feels understated and personal rather than overtly romantic.

Best for: Everyday wear, memorials, self-purchase, minimalists

👉 Shop the Circle Photo Necklace

3. Paw Print Photo Necklace — For Pet Lovers

Paw print photo necklace for pet lovers

Price: £39.99 (was £66.99) | 925 Sterling Silver: £47.99 Reviews: ★★★★★ 17 customer ratings

Designed specifically for pet lovers. The pendant features a paw print design around the photo stone, making it the perfect way to carry your pet with you wherever you go. Whether it’s a photo of your dog, cat, or any furry friend — this necklace keeps them close to your heart. It’s also become a really popular pet memorial necklace for people who’ve lost a pet and want a meaningful way to remember them.

Best for: Pet lovers, pet memorials, gifts for dog and cat owners

👉 Shop the Paw Print Photo Necklace

4. Simple Heart Photo Necklace — Subtle & Dainty

Simple heart photo necklace with hidden photo

Price: £39.99 (was £66.99) | 925 Sterling Silver: £47.99 Reviews: ★★★★★ 15 customer ratings

If you love the idea of a heart necklace but want something more delicate than the Crossed Heart, this is it. The Simple Heart has a smaller, more understated heart design that feels subtle and sweet. It’s a great option for younger wearers or anyone who prefers dainty jewellery over statement pieces. The hidden photo pendant still works exactly the same way — you just get a more minimal look.

Best for: Teens, daughters, subtle everyday wear

👉 Shop the Simple Heart Photo Necklace

5. Halo Photo Necklace — Extra Sparkle

Halo photo necklace with sparkling stones around photo pendant

Price: £39.99 (was £66.99) | 925 Sterling Silver: £47.99 Reviews: ★★★★★ 17 customer ratings

The Halo necklace features a ring of sparkling stones surrounding the photo pendant, giving it a bit more visual impact than the simpler styles. If you want a personalised photo necklace that feels slightly more dressy or special-occasion-ready, the halo design adds that extra touch of sparkle while still keeping the hidden photo as the main event.

Best for: Gifts, special occasions, anyone who likes a bit of sparkle

👉 Shop the Halo Photo Necklace

6. Photo & Birthstone Charm Necklace — Two Personalisations in One

Photo and birthstone charm necklace on gold paperclip chain

Price: £39.99 (was £66.99)

This one’s a bit different. Instead of a traditional pendant, the photo sits inside a charm that hangs alongside a birthstone on a bold paperclip chain. It’s a more fashion-forward design that combines two personalisation elements — your photo and your birth month — on one necklace. It has a completely different look to the other styles, so if you’re after a picture necklace that stands out from the crowd, this is the one.

Best for: Fashion-forward wearers, layering, birthday gifts

👉 Shop the Photo & Birthstone Charm Necklace

7. Paperclip Charm Photo Necklace — Bold & Modern

Paperclip charm photo necklace with hidden picture inside

Price: £39.99 (was £66.99)

The Paperclip Charm necklace pairs the hidden photo pendant with a chunky paperclip chain — a style that’s been huge in jewellery trends over the past couple of years. It’s bold, modern and makes a statement while still carrying that secret, personal photo inside. If the dainty chain look isn’t your thing, this is the answer.

Best for: Statement jewellery lovers, trend-conscious wearers, layering

👉 Shop the Paperclip Charm Photo Necklace

Quick Comparison: Which Photo Necklace Is Right for You?

StylePrice925 Silver?VibeBest For
Crossed Heart£39.99Yes (£47.99)Romantic, elegantPartners, anniversaries
Circle£39.99Yes (£47.99)Clean, minimalEveryday, memorials
Paw Print£39.99Yes (£47.99)Playful, sentimentalPet lovers, pet memorials
Simple Heart£39.99Yes (£47.99)Dainty, subtleTeens, daughters
Halo£39.99Yes (£47.99)Sparkly, specialGifts, occasions
Birthstone Charm£39.99NoBold, fashion-forwardBirthdays, layering
Paperclip Charm£39.99NoStatement, modernTrend lovers, layering

All styles: 316 Stainless Steel (or 925 Sterling Silver upgrade where available) · 45cm chain + 5cm adjuster · Silver, Gold and Rose Gold finishes · Tarnish-proof, fade-proof, won’t turn green · 100-day satisfaction guarantee · Made to order

What Photo Should You Put Inside?

A personalised photo necklace is only as meaningful as the photo you choose. You can upload any image when you order – there are no rules. But here are the most popular choices we see:

A photo of you and your partner. The classic. Anniversary photos, holiday photos, wedding photos – anything that captures a moment you share together. The Crossed Heart and Simple Heart styles are the most popular for couples.

A photo with your kids. Mums especially love carrying a picture of their little ones. First day of school photos, family portraits, or just a candid moment that makes you smile. The Circle and Halo necklaces work beautifully for this.

Your pet. Dog owners, cat owners, hamster owners – we’ve seen them all. If your pet is part of the family (and let’s be honest, they are), they deserve a spot in your necklace. The Paw Print necklace was literally designed for this.

Someone you’ve lost. This is probably the most meaningful use of a photo necklace. Carrying a picture of someone who’s no longer here, hidden inside a piece of jewellery you wear every day – it’s a quiet, personal way to keep them close. We hear from customers regularly who say this has helped them through grief, and those messages never get old. The Circle necklace is the most popular choice for memorials.

A special place. Your wedding venue, a favourite holiday spot, the house you grew up in. Not every photo has to be of a person.

Tip: We recommend using a clear, well-lit photo where faces are easy to see. Square photos tend to work best. If you’re not sure whether your photo will work, just order and our team will let you know if there are any issues before production.

Photo Necklace vs Photo Locket vs Engraved Necklace

If you’re choosing between different types of personalised necklaces, here’s how they compare:

Photo NecklacePhoto LocketEngraved Necklace
How it worksPhoto is micro-printed permanently inside the pendantPhoto is printed and placed inside a hinged caseName, date or message is engraved onto the surface
DurabilityPhoto can’t fall out, fade or get water damagedPhoto can fall out, crease, fade or get moisture damageEngraving is permanent but surface can scratch over time
SizeSmall, discreet pendant — looks like normal jewelleryBulkier due to hinge mechanismVaries — usually slim and flat
PersonalisationAny photo you chooseAny photo (but must be cut to size)Text only — names, dates, messages
Secret factorHigh — nobody knows there’s a photo unless you show themMedium — the locket shape is recognisableLow — the engraving is visible
Best forEveryday wear, meaningful gifts, memorialsVintage/traditional style loversName jewellery, identity pieces
Price rangeFrom £39.99£15–£80+ depending on materialFrom £24.99

The photo necklace is essentially the modern upgrade to the locket. Same sentimental idea – carrying a photo of someone you love but the execution is far more durable, far more discreet and far more wearable day-to-day. The photo is permanently part of the pendant, so there’s no risk of it falling out, getting damaged or fading over time.

If you want personalisation through text rather than a photo, our Double Heart Engraved Name Necklace is worth a look – but if you want to carry an actual image of someone, a photo necklace is the way to go or check out our photo projection bracelets.

How to Order Your Photo Necklace

The process is really simple:

Step 1: Choose your necklace style from the options above.

Step 2: Select your finish – Silver, Gold or Rose Gold (and 925 Sterling Silver where available).

Step 3: Upload your photo. Hit “Choose An Image” on the product page and select the picture you want hidden inside.

Step 4: Add to basket and check out. If you’re ordering multiple necklaces with different photos, add each one to cart separately.

Every necklace is made to order specifically for you. Your photo is securely stored for 60 days (in case we need to remake your necklace) and then deleted. We never share or reuse customer photos.

Delivery takes 1–2 weeks from the date of order. UK delivery typically arrives faster than international orders.

Gift Packaging

Every photo necklace arrives in our standard gift-ready box – so it’s already presentable if you’re giving it as a gift. But if you want to make the unboxing extra special, we offer three upgrades at checkout:

  • Gift Bag — £3.99
  • Preserved Rose Box — £9.99
  • Jewellery Box — £14.99

No invoice is included in any of our orders, so you can have it delivered straight to the recipient without worrying about the price showing.

What Our Customers Say

Here’s what real customers have said about their photo necklaces:

“My boyfriend surprised me with this photo necklace and I honestly haven’t taken it off since. The quality is great and the photo inside means the world to me.”Valeria R.

“Shipping was faster than I was expecting. When I looked inside and saw my wedding photo I was speechless. I have ordered 2 more as gifts since and all have been flawless.”Charlie E.

“I got the paw print necklace with a photo of our dog and it’s the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever received. I look at it every day.”Daisy M.

“I got myself the circle necklace when we started long distance. I love that it’s not super obvious — it just looks like a normal necklace but I know my photo is in there.”Louisa B.

Carry Your Favourite Memory, Everywhere

A photo necklace isn’t just jewellery – it’s a memory you can wear. Whether it’s your partner, your kids, your pet or someone you miss, the hidden photo inside turns a beautiful necklace into something deeply personal.

Every piece is made to order, just for you. Starting at £39.99 and covered by our 100-day satisfaction guarantee.

👉 Browse all Photo Necklaces


Frequently Asked Questions

What is a photo necklace?

A photo necklace is a personalised necklace with a hidden photo inside the pendant. The photo is micro-printed into the stone and can be viewed by looking closely into the front of the necklace or by shining a light through it to project the image onto a surface.

Can you actually see the picture inside a photo necklace?

Yes. Hold the pendant close to your eye or phone camera and you’ll see the photo clearly. You can also project it onto a wall by shining your phone torch through the back of the pendant in a dim room.

Will the photo inside my necklace fade?

No. The photo is permanently micro-printed into the pendant. It won’t fade, peel, wash off or get damaged by everyday wear.

What photos work best in a photo necklace?

Clear, well-lit photos where faces are easy to see. Square photos tend to give the best results. We accept the vast majority of photos — if there’s an issue with yours, our team will contact you before production.

How much does a photo necklace cost?

All of our photo necklaces start at £39.99 (reduced from £66.99). Six of the seven styles also offer a 925 Sterling Silver upgrade for £47.99.

What is the difference between a photo necklace and a photo locket?

A photo locket opens to reveal a loose printed photo that can fall out or fade. A photo necklace has the image permanently built into the pendant using micro-printing technology — it’s more durable, more discreet and the photo won’t fade or get damaged.

Are photo necklaces waterproof?

Our photo necklaces are water-resistant but we recommend avoiding prolonged exposure to water such as showers and swimming pools to keep the finish looking its best.

How long does a photo necklace take to arrive?

Every photo necklace is made to order. Delivery takes 1–2 weeks from the date of order. UK delivery typically arrives within 1–2 working days after dispatch.

What if I’m not happy with my photo necklace?

We offer a 100-day satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not completely happy, contact us and we’ll replace or refund your necklace – no fuss.

Is my photo kept private?

Yes. Your photo is used only to create your necklace, securely stored for 60 days in case a remake is needed, and then permanently deleted. We never share or reuse customer photos.


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