Photo Locket Necklaces: What They Are, What to Put Inside, and When to Give One as a Gift
A photo locket is one of the few pieces of jewelry that holds something as well as saying something. Open it and you get a face, a moment, a person. For the right recipient, nothing else comes close.
This guide answers the practical questions -- what goes inside, how to size a photo, who to give one to, and what makes a locket different from a regular photo pendant -- so you can make a confident choice before you order.
What is a photo locket necklace?
A photo locket is a small hinged case that hangs from a chain and opens to reveal a compartment designed to hold a tiny photograph. Unlike a regular pendant, the value is what is inside it rather than the surface design.
The tradition goes back centuries. Lockets were one of the most common forms of sentimental jewelry before photography was widespread -- people carried painted miniature portraits inside them. The modern version typically uses a printed photo cut to size, though some styles use a digital print behind glass for a cleaner look and longer-lasting image. The glass-fronted design is the more popular choice today because it keeps the photo protected and visible without opening.
What photos do people put inside a locket?
Almost anything, though the most meaningful choices share one thing: they are specific to the relationship between the giver and the recipient.
Common choices include:
- A child or grandchild -- the most popular choice by a wide margin
- A wedding photo -- either the recipient's own or a couple they love
- A pet -- especially for people who consider their dog or cat part of the family
- A parent or grandparent who has passed -- making the locket a quiet, wearable memorial
- Two people together -- a couple, siblings, a parent and child
For memorial purposes, a locket can be one of the most private and wearable ways to keep someone close. Our guide on what to engrave on memorial jewelry covers this further if that is the context for your gift.
Is a photo locket a good gift?
A locket is an excellent gift for the right person. It works because it requires thought -- you have to know whose face to put inside it, which means you have to know the person.
It tends to land best for:
- Grandmothers who keep photos of grandchildren on every surface already
- New mothers who want something to carry their baby close during the day
- Pet owners for whom a dog or cat is genuinely family
- People who have lost someone and want something to carry with them quietly
- People who love jewelry but already own a lot of it -- a locket gives them something no one else has
If you are unsure whether the person is a locket person, ask yourself: do they display photos? Are there framed pictures on their desk or nightstand? If yes, a locket will almost certainly land well.
Who is a photo locket a good gift for?
A locket works at almost any gift-giving moment, but it tends to shine at transitions -- times when someone is stepping away from a person or place they love and wants to carry that love with them.
Grandmothers. A locket with photos of all the grandchildren is a classic for good reason. It is specific, wearable, and says exactly what you mean. The personalized jewelry for grandma guide covers more options if you are shopping in this direction.
New mothers. A photo locket ordered after the baby is born -- with the baby's face inside -- is one of the most thoughtful post-birth gifts. It differs from a push present in that it requires knowing the baby already, which makes it feel like a considered choice rather than a pre-planned one.
Pet parents. A pet photo inside a locket is increasingly popular, and for good reason: people who love their pets the way some people love their children want that represented in what they wear. Our guide to personalized jewelry for pet parents explores this further.
People navigating a loss. A locket can hold the face of someone who has passed in a way that feels private and wearable rather than performative. For someone who is grieving, it can be a meaningful way to carry a person with them through the day.
Someone leaving for a new chapter. A parent giving a locket with their own photo to a child leaving for university, or a best friend giving one with both of your faces, acknowledges the distance without making it feel heavy.
How do you size a photo to fit inside a locket?
Locket compartments are small -- typically between 1cm and 2cm across. The photo needs to match the shape of the compartment (usually oval, round, or rectangular) and be printed at a small size.
Two practical approaches:
Print it yourself. Resize the photo in any photo editing app until the subject fills a small circle or oval, then print it on regular photo paper at the smallest available size. Cut it to shape with scissors and slide it inside.
Use a print shop. Bring the image on your phone and ask them to print it at the size that fits your locket's compartment. Most copy shop staff can help you quickly.
The Vintage Glass Photo Locket at HussainTraders uses a glass-fronted design, which means the photo sits behind a protective layer. This keeps the image in better condition than an open locket and makes inserting a photo straightforward -- you do not need to trim it yourself to a precise shape.
What is the difference between a photo locket and a photo pendant?
A photo locket opens -- it has a hinge and a clasp, and the photo is inside the case. A photo pendant displays the image on the outside, either etched, engraved, or printed on the surface of the metal or resin.
The practical difference is privacy. A locket keeps the photo to yourself. A pendant shows it to everyone who sees you wearing it. Neither is better -- it depends on whether the wearer wants the image to be personal or visible.
For people who want to carry a photo without it becoming a conversation piece, a locket is usually the better choice. For those who want to display the image as part of their everyday look, a pendant reads more clearly at a glance.
Are photo locket necklaces still in style?
Yes, though the aesthetic has shifted. The ornate oval locket with an engraved floral border still exists, but the more popular versions today are cleaner: a simple case, a glass-front design that reveals the photo without opening, or a modern geometric shape in gold or silver.
The appeal of a locket has always been sentimental rather than fashionable, which is part of why it keeps coming back. A piece that holds meaning specific to you is not subject to trend cycles in the same way a decorative pendant is. People who love lockets tend to wear them for years, not seasons.
A quick reference: who to give a locket to and what to put inside
| Recipient | What to put inside | Best occasion |
|---|---|---|
| Grandmother | All the grandchildren, or the most recent grandchild | Birthday, holiday, Mother's Day |
| New mother | Baby's face -- a clear photo from the first weeks | Weeks after baby arrives |
| Pet parent | Dog or cat -- a clear, well-lit close-up | Birthday, just because |
| Partner | A photo from an important day together | Anniversary, Valentine's Day |
| Someone grieving | A photo of the person who passed | Any time; no occasion needed |
| Child leaving home | A family photo or a parent's face | Before they leave |
Where to find a photo locket necklace
The Vintage Glass Photo Locket at HussainTraders is a glass-fronted design that keeps the photo clean and visible behind a protective layer. It arrives gift-ready, ships free worldwide, and is priced in CAD.
If you are looking for something more engraved with a name or date rather than a photo, the Custom Name Necklace is the personalised alternative. The bestsellers collection has the full range of made-to-order pieces for any recipient and occasion.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put two photos in one locket?
Some lockets have two compartments -- one on each inner face when opened. These are sometimes called double lockets. The Vintage Glass Photo Locket at HussainTraders uses a single glass-fronted compartment for a clean, modern look rather than the traditional two-sided design.
How long do photos inside lockets last?
A photo stored inside a closed locket, away from moisture and direct light, can last many years without fading. Glass-fronted designs add extra protection. Keep a digital copy of the original photo so you can replace it easily if the print ever fades.
Is a locket appropriate as a memorial gift?
Yes. A locket with a photo of someone who has passed is one of the most private and wearable forms of memorial jewelry. Our guide on what to engrave on memorial jewelry covers the full range of options for this kind of gift.
Can men wear photo lockets?
Yes, though it is less common. Men who want to carry a photo might prefer the Custom Photo Keychain as an alternative -- it holds a photo without requiring a necklace, and it is something he will use every day.
Does HussainTraders ship lockets internationally?
Yes. All HussainTraders orders ship free worldwide on standard service. Prices are in CAD.