The Most Sentimental Piece of Jewelry You Could Ever Gift: A Locket

By Maddie Vincent

When it comes to meaningful jewelry, nothing captures love, memory, and legacy quite like a locket necklace with a picture tucked safely inside. At Springer’s Jewelers — Maine’s oldest and most celebrated fine jeweler — we honor tradition and personal storytelling with our beautiful collection of vintage and modern lockets. Whether you're drawn to a gold heart locket, a 18k gold locket, or a stunning locket with a designer touch, a locket is more than a piece of jewelry — it’s a wearable memory. Perfectly customizable to your life and loved ones.

A Brief History of Lockets: Love, Loss, and Legacy

The story of the locket spans over six centuries. Originating in the 15th century, lockets were worn by both men and women as pendants, brooches, and rings containing miniature portraits of loved ones or monarchs. Some early lockets even carried small cloths scented with perfume to create a pleasant aroma.

Their sentimental role deepened in the 17th century after the death of King Charles I. His supporters wore mourning lockets with his image hidden inside. Soon after, locks of hair were commonly added to preserve the essence of loved ones.

In the 18th century, “eye” lockets — tiny paintings of a loved one’s eye — grew popular, while Victorian times cemented the locket as a symbol of deep emotion. Queen Victoria’s locket bracelet, featuring a lock of hair from each of her children, and her mourning locket for Prince Albert, made lockets essential tokens of love, remembrance, and family. Soldiers during the 19th and 20th centuries even gifted lockets to loved ones before leaving for war, embedding the locket even deeper into emotional tradition.

Today, lockets continue to be a beautiful bridge between past and present — heirlooms that you can personalize for any stage of life.

What Can You Put Inside a Locket?

Today’s lockets offer endless possibilities for personalizing your story. Some sentimental ideas include:

A small picture of your children, spouse, or pet
A small handwritten note or message
A lock of hair or a pressed flower
A meaningful quote or prayer
An artwork created by your child

Need help creating the perfect fit for your locket? If you're wondering where you can get locket pictures made, Springer’s will have you covered at our upcoming Locket Bar event with an on-site printer! You can print professional-quality photos right in-store — or have your children create their own hand-drawn masterpieces to tuck inside your new locket.

Discover Estate Lockets at Springer’s

For those drawn to the charm of the past, our curated collection of vintage lockets and estate lockets offers incredible one-of-a-kind pieces. Whether it’s an intricate Victorian design, a romantic gold locket, or a more masculine locket, our estate jewelry collection connects you to eras gone by, each with its own story to tell.

Monica Rich Kosann: Modern Lockets with Timeless Beauty

We are proud to showcase Monica Rich Kosann lockets, blending old-world craftsmanship with sleek modern design. With offerings in sterling silver, 18k yellow gold, and dazzling diamond details, Monica Rich Kosann’s lockets are slim, stylish, and deeply personal. From bold enamel colors to engraved styles, these lockets are made to “Capture your story” — celebrating your life and your loved ones in a piece you’ll cherish forever. Springer’s also offers engraving services, so if you are looking to personalize your locket even further don’t hesitate to make an appointment!

Celebrate Mother’s Day at Our Locket Bar Event!

In honor of Mother’s Day, Springer’s Jewelers is excited to host a special Locket Bar event featuring one of our beloved designers, Monica Rich Kosann.

Join us in-store where you can:

Explore the finest selection of lockets
Print your favorite locket pictures on the spot
Let children create their own drawings to personalize your locket
Enjoy refreshments, special gifts, and more!

Create a keepsake that’s truly your own — or the most sentimental gift you could ever give. After all, there’s no better time to hold your loved ones close to your heart.