The Latest Lockets to Treasure Forever

By Brittany Siminitz | February 01, 2023

Locket jewelry certainly makes for a sentimental Valentine’s Day gift (see our coverage of lockets for Valentine’s Day from last year around this same time), but this most thoughtful style is no one-holiday wonder.

“Lockets have always had such a special, personal meaning, representing love or a cherished memory,” says Jessica Olds, a designer whose brand, Future Fortune, offers lockets as a staple of its collections. “I think collectors want something that can hold that special meaning—whatever it may be—close to their hearts, which makes lockets desirable.”

With extensive possibilities, from the design—heart shape or oval? gemstone, engraving, or both?—to what to keep on the inside, lockets are some of the most personal treasures a jewelry-wearer can enjoy.

“I took an alternative approach to the traditional locket and created a modern twist to this memento-driven talisman,” says Olds, when asked how someone could personalize a locket. “Each piece opens to reveal a unique design using gemstones and symbols, so you can custom-create your own special memory. This makes the locket an extra-special piece that can then be passed down through the generations.”

Stone vintage star locket — *Vintage star locket in 18k gold with 0.6 ct. t.w. gray diamonds, $5,000; Stone Fine Jewelry*

Syna Mogul locket — *Mogul locket in 18k yellow gold with 0.2 ct. t.w. champagne diamonds, $4,850; Syna*

Toi emerald heart locket — *Heart locket in 18k white gold with emeralds, price on request; TOi Fine Jewelry*

Walters Faith heart locket — *Engravable heart locket in 18k rose gold with diamonds, $3,500; Walters Faith*

Cameo Italiano locket pendant — *Locket in 18k yellow gold–plated sterling silver with hand-carved seashell cameo, price on request; Cameo Italiano*

Ashley Zhang pearl heart locket — *Circa 1890 locket in 14k rose gold with pearl, $650; Ashley Zhang*

Briony Raymond heart locket — *Memoir Lovers heart locket in 18k yellow gold with diamonds, price on request; Briony Raymond*

Though the heart shape is indeed beloved (and ideal for Valentine’s Day), lockets come in all manner of shapes and sizes equally meaningful. Katkim’s Boob locket, for example, was inspired by a friend battling stage 4 breast cancer, with 20 percent of its proceeds donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Katkim boob locket necklace — *Boob locket necklace in 18k yellow gold with 0.04 ct. t.w. diamonds, $2,800; Katkim*

Ali Grace Nugget locket — *Nugget locket in 14k yellow gold with diamonds, $3,300; Ali Grace*

Pamela Love locket — *Astrid locket in 14k gold-plated silver with lapis, $280; Pamela Love*

KC Designs angel wing locket — *Angel Wing memory locket in 14k yellow gold with 0.42 ct. t.w. diamonds, $2,875; KC Designs*

Latitude Greatest Love locket — *Greatest Love in the World locket pendant in sterling silver with rose gold and black rhodium with diamond, price on request; Latitude Jewelry*

Dallas Prince Remembrance locket — *Remembrance locket in 14k rose gold with 4.1 ct. heart-shape spessartite garnet and 0.41 ct. t.w. diamonds, $11,500; Dallas Prince*

Arman Sarkisyan star locket — *Starburst sliding locket in 22k yellow gold and oxidized silver with mint tourmaline and diamonds, $12,850; Arman Sarkisyan*

Anatoli Arabesque locket — *Arabesque locket in sterling silver with diamonds, $350; Anatoli*

And if pendants aren’t your thing, how about a locket in ring form? Graziela’s and EF Collection’s offerings (below) are prime examples of how the latest lockets give us even more choices when it comes to finding jewelry that’s deeply personal and customizable. Isn’t meaning really what jewelry’s all about?