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The locket necklace holds a uniquely significant place in British jewellery history. Lockets became fashionable in Britain during the Victorian era — Queen Victoria herself wore them to carry photographs and locks of hair of Prince Albert after his death in 1861, cementing the locket's association with intimate remembrance and enduring affection. That emotional resonance remains powerful in British gifting culture today, making a locket one of the most meaningful personalised gifts available.
Modern lockets in the UK are most commonly round or heart-shaped, and most hold one or two small photographs. Photo size follows the locket's internal diameter: a small 16–18mm locket takes a photograph of roughly 12–14mm, a standard 20–22mm round or oval locket takes 15–18mm, and a larger 28–32mm locket takes 20–22mm. Always measure the inside of the locket when cutting photographs to size, or use a locket photo printing service. Many UK jewellers and online services (including Boots Photo and local print shops) will print locket-sized photographs from digital files for a small fee, which transforms a beautiful piece of jewellery into a deeply personal gift.
Engraving is a popular personalisation option in the UK — most locket reverses are large enough for a short message, name, or date. High-street jewellers including Ernest Jones, H. Samuel, and independent jewellers in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter offer engraving services, typically within 1–2 weeks. Chain length matters for the UK wearer: a 16-inch chain sits at the collarbone, 18 inches rests at the top of the chest (the most popular UK length), 20 inches falls below the collar on lower necklines, and 24 inches creates a longer, layered look popular in contemporary UK fashion. Clogau, the Welsh gold brand, makes notable lockets using gold mined from the Clogau St David's mine in Snowdonia — used for Royal wedding rings — adding a specifically British heritage element to their pieces.
Buying guide
What to look for in Locket Necklaces
1Measure the inside of any locket before printing photographs — small lockets take photos of roughly 12–14mm, standard 20–22mm lockets take 15–18mm, and larger 28–32mm lockets fit 20–22mm. Most UK photo printing services will size prints to order.
2Consider chain length carefully: 18 inches is the most popular UK locket chain length, falling at the top of the chest and suitable for most necklines. 16 inches sits at the collarbone; 20 inches is better for lower necklines or layering.
3Clogau Welsh gold lockets carry a premium over plain silver, but offer genuine British heritage — Clogau gold is mined from the same Welsh mine as the gold used in Royal Family wedding rings.
4Look for engraving services when gifting — a date, initials, or short message on the reverse of a locket transforms it from jewellery into a keepsake. Most UK jewellery shops offer engraving within 1–2 weeks.
5Sterling silver lockets tarnish in UK damp air — store in an anti-tarnish jewellery pouch and clean with a silver cloth regularly, especially if the locket is worn infrequently.
Our process
How we choose our picks
We don’t lab-test products ourselves. Instead we synthesise the strongest independent evidence — current Amazon UK listings, verified-buyer feedback, published specs and UK pricing — into clear, honest recommendations. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, but that never changes which products we rank.
Current UK availability
We only shortlist products actively listed and in stock on Amazon UK, checked against live catalogue data — not last year’s models.
Publicly visible buyer feedback
We look at how each product is received by UK shoppers — its overall rating standing and the praise or complaints that recur in public reviews — rather than relying on a single reviewer’s opinion.
Published specs & value
We compare manufacturer specifications, typical UK price bands, warranty and running costs so each pick is right for a real budget and use-case.
UK-specific fit
We factor in UK voltage, plug/fitting standards, CE/UKCA marking and Consumer Rights Act cover — details that generic global lists miss.
The Clogau Oak Locket is the pick for gifting occasions with British heritage resonance — Remembrance Day, Mother's Day, significant anniversaries. It is the only locket here that contains Welsh gold from the same source as Royal wedding rings, and it arrives gift-boxed on an 18-inch chain.
Metal
Sterling silver with Welsh gold
Shape
Round/oval
Chain
18-inch sterling silver chain included
Photo
Single photo
Hallmark
925 UK hallmarked
What we like
+Clogau Welsh gold is mined from the same Snowdonia source as UK Royal wedding ring gold — genuine British heritage
+Distinctive rose gold and silver two-tone finish from Clogau's signature Welsh gold touch
+Supplied on an 18-inch sterling silver chain — the standard UK locket length — so there is no separate chain to buy
+Comes presented in Clogau gift packaging — ready to gift with no additional wrapping needed
Worth noting
–Each piece contains only a small amount of Welsh gold — the body is sterling silver, not solid gold
–Clogau designs are recognisably branded — not for buyers wanting minimal logo presence
£159.00Amazon.co.uk price as of 26 Aug, 22:42 (London time). Details
The Thomas Sabo Silver Heart Locket is the easy mainstream gift choice: hallmarked 925 silver, a heart shape that suits Valentine's Day, Mother's Day or a birthday, and a brand that is easy to find on the UK high street if the recipient later wants a matching piece.
Metal
Sterling silver (925)
Shape
Heart
Chain
40–45cm chain included
Photo
Single photo
Hallmark
925 hallmarked
What we like
+Thomas Sabo is a widely recognised jewellery brand on the UK high street
+Heart shape is a traditional choice for romantic and family gifting in the UK
The Dogeared Gold Dipped Locket suits buyers who want a warm gold appearance from a sterling silver piece. Best kept for occasional or dressed-up wear rather than daily use, where a dipped finish rubs through first at the hinge and chain contact points.
Metal
Gold dipped over sterling silver
Shape
Round (22mm)
Chain
16-inch gold-dipped chain
Photo
Single photo
Hallmark
925 base
What we like
+Gold-dipped finish over a sterling silver base gives a warm yellow-gold look rather than a bright silver one
+22mm round locket is a classic, understated size for everyday UK wear
+Delicate chain and locket combination suits layering with other UK necklace trends
+Comes with a Dogeared signature meaning card — thoughtful gift presentation
Worth noting
–Gold dipping wears off in areas of high contact over time — gold-filled or solid gold lasts longer
–16-inch chain sits at the collarbone — may feel short on higher necklines
ANIA HAIE's locket is the pick for a modern, pared-back look rather than a traditional ornate one — clean, small, and wearable daily. Gold plating over a 925 silver base holds up better than a thin dipped finish, though the 18mm window limits you to one small portrait.
Metal
Gold-plated sterling silver (925)
Shape
Round (18mm)
Chain
40–45cm chain
Photo
Single small photo
Hallmark
925 base hallmarked
What we like
+Minimalist round design suits the current UK contemporary jewellery look
+Gold plating over a 925 sterling silver base wears better than a thin gold dip
+Compact 18mm size suits buyers who prefer understated everyday jewellery
Worth noting
–Very small photo window — limited to single small portrait image
–Contemporary minimalist design may not suit buyers who want a traditional ornate locket
The Amazon Essentials Locket is the no-nonsense choice for a hallmarked silver locket that does exactly what a locket should do. A classic 20mm round face takes a standard locket print, the 18-inch chain is the usual UK length, and there is no brand styling on it to date the piece.
Metal
Sterling silver (925)
Shape
Round (20mm)
Chain
18-inch chain included
Photo
Single photo
Hallmark
925 hallmarked
What we like
+Plain hallmarked 925 sterling silver with no branding or decorative detailing
+Classic round 20mm size accepts standard locket-photo prints from UK photo services
+18-inch chain is the correct UK standard length for a locket necklace
+Amazon's own-brand line — straightforward to order and return through Amazon if the chain length is wrong
Worth noting
–Minimal brand story compared to Clogau or Thomas Sabo — purely functional
–Plain, undecorated design — not a statement piece
£11.99Amazon.co.uk price as of 26 Aug, 22:42 (London time). Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 26 Aug, 22:42 (London time) and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Editor's Note
The most common UK locket gifting mistake is buying without sourcing a photograph to go inside — a locket without a photo is just a pendant. Order locket-sized prints from Boots Photo or a local UK printer before giving the gift, or include a note with the exact photo dimensions so the recipient can select their own image. For gold-plated lockets, avoid options with thin plating around the hinge area where wear appears fastest; look for lockets with a 925 silver base, which holds plating longer than brass alternatives. Clogau is the one to reach for when the gift is tied to British identity or Royal heritage occasions.
Our Take
A locket is the most sentimental jewellery gift in the British tradition, and it scales beautifully from a plain sterling silver option to Clogau Welsh gold depending on the occasion. Get the chain length right (18 inches is almost always correct for UK wearers) and include a photo — that combination turns a piece of jewellery into an heirloom.
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions
What size photo fits in a locket necklace?
Photo size depends on the locket diameter. A small 16–18mm locket takes photos of approximately 12–14mm square. A standard 20–22mm round or oval locket fits photos of 15–18mm. Larger lockets (28–32mm) can accommodate photos of 20–22mm. Most UK photo printing services (Boots Photo, Snapfish, local printers) will print locket-sized photographs from a digital image for a small fee — simply measure the inside of the locket and request the exact dimensions.
What is the history of locket necklaces in the UK?
Lockets became fashionable in Britain during the Victorian era. Queen Victoria popularised the mourning locket after Prince Albert's death in 1861, wearing lockets containing his photograph and a lock of his hair. The practice of carrying miniature portraits and mementos in lockets was already established in aristocratic circles, but Victoria's public mourning made it a mainstream British tradition that persists today.
What is Clogau Welsh gold?
Clogau Welsh gold comes from the Clogau St David's mine in the Snowdonia region of Wales. Welsh gold is notably rare — it was only ever recovered in very small quantities, which is why it is so highly prized. It is famously used in UK Royal Family wedding rings: every Royal wedding ring from Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother onwards has contained Welsh gold. Clogau jewellery incorporates a small amount of Welsh gold in each piece.
What chain length should I choose for a locket necklace in the UK?
The most popular chain length for a locket necklace in the UK is 18 inches, which falls at the top of the chest and suits most necklines. A 16-inch chain sits at the collarbone — elegant but can look short on higher necklines. A 20-inch chain falls below the collar and suits lower necklines or layering. A 24-inch chain creates a long pendant look popular in contemporary UK fashion but less traditional for a classic locket.
Can locket necklaces be engraved in the UK?
Yes. Most lockets have a flat reverse surface suitable for engraving — a name, initials, date, or short message. UK jewellers including Ernest Jones, H. Samuel, and independent jewellers in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter offer engraving services, typically taking 1–2 weeks. Charges vary with text length and metal type, so confirm the cost with the jeweller before buying. Some online jewellery retailers also offer engraving at point of purchase.
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