18 Best Locket Necklaces to House Your Most Cherished Memories

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Locket necklaces are one of the most personal pieces of jewelry a person can own—a delicate, miniature time capsule made to hold cherished memories. With roots tracing back to the Victorian era, where romantic amulets would daintily hang from a chain or velvet ribbon—storing everything from tiny hand-painted portraits to small locks of hair to honor a loved one—each locket is meant to beautifully encase personal treasures, and is often adorned with gold, metals, gemstones, and intricate engravings.

Vogue’s Favorite Locket Necklaces:

Today, the ritual continues, with locket necklaces serve as keepsakes for photos, charms, love letters, and secrets known only to the wearer—solidifying their legacy as timeless heirlooms. Among the most well-known lockets is the one retrieved from The Titanic—not exactly the heart-shaped blue diamond necklace that went by the “Heart of the Ocean” in the famous fictional love story—but that of Virginia Estelle McDowell Clark, a survivor whose husband did not survive the shipwreck. Her 18-karat gold locket was recovered from the ocean decades later—a testament to the piece’s enduring nature, having withstood the ultimate test of time and the elements.

Each locket tells a unique story, inviting wearers to personalize their pieces with memories that resonate deeply. Whether you prefer modern heart-shaped designs that rest close to your heart, vintage-inspired pieces that echo their Victorian origins, or cleverly disguised chambers—here you’ll find the perfect locket to transform into your own personal treasure chest.

Piece Of My Heart

A heart-shaped locket is intended to be held close to your chest, baring all your fondest memories of loved ones. Personalize it with an engraving on the outer shell like the necklace from Stone and Strand, or choose a cute charm to be shown through a glass encasement like Loquet London’s.

Vintage-Inspired

Wear a locket with a design that nods to the Victorian era, or feels like a heritage heirloom passed through generations.

The Incognito Locket

For a modern take on the locket, consider a necklace whose latch may not be obvious at face value, but holds a secret chamber known only to the wearer. This Monbouquette locket, for example, comes with a tiny love letter inside to be personalized— the perfect gift for a loved one.