Authentic sterling silver is stamped with the number 925. Stamped metalĪ way to determine if an item is made from real gold or silver is to check for the stamp. A high-quality locket can stand up to repeated opening and closing without signs of wear. Often, cheap lockets start to fall open over time and in some cases come loose and separate at the hinge. Whether the locket closes using a magnet or a metal mechanism, you’ll want it to stay shut. Since a locket opens and closes, it is subject to more handling than most pendants, so you’ll want a piece that won’t break after a few opens. When it comes to jewelry, quality can be found in durability and design.

What to look for in a quality heart locket necklace The average locket size is somewhere around 3/4 of an inch by 3/4 of an inch, which doesn’t provide a lot of space. It’s also important to remember that photographs aren’t heart-shaped, so you will need to select a picture with a big enough background to be cropped accordingly without cutting off the main subject(s). The smaller the locket, the smaller the photo or engraving has to be.

If you want the locket to feature diamonds or precious stones, this will also raise the price. Some pieces of jewelry are gold- or silver-plated on the outside with a less expensive material such as stainless steel or nickel on the inside to help lower the overall cost. Gold is one of the most expensive options and comes in three colors, while silver generally costs less and comes in one color. The type of metal a locket is made from will affect both its price and durability. If the installation is not included, you’ll have to put the picture in yourself.Īlternatively, you may forego the photo and have the locket engraved inside with a meaningful name or message. Some sellers offer to print the photo directly onto the metal, while others will print and cut photo paper to fit the size of the locket. Online ordering makes it easy to simply click a button and have a photo added to a locket when you purchase it, but having the seller put the picture in isn’t always an option, and if it is, it might cost extra. The metal you choose matters, too, as silver will have to be cared for with silver polish to keep from tarnishing. It’s also important to keep in mind the locket’s size and whether there is a clear stencil to protect the photo. When you’re buying a locket online, it’s easy to forget that it might not include the picture. What to know before you buy a heart locket necklace For the best of the best, take a look at the Macy’s I Love You Heart Locket Necklace in Sterling Silver. Getting a photo to be just the right size and shape for the locket shows you’re willing to go that extra mile. Whether you’re buying a heart locket for a lover, friend, family member or even yourself, the picture or message placed inside makes the necklace one of a kind. Which heart locket necklace is best?Ī heart-shaped locket takes jewelry up a notch by adding a unique sentimental component. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated.

Heartbeat necklace $25 or less