What is a keepsake photo locket?

A keepsake photo locket is a hinged pendant designed to hold tiny photographs, portraits or locks of hair near the heart. They combine personal sentiment with decorative metalwork. These pieces were worn on chains or watch fobs, serving as portable memorials or tokens of affection across the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

How do I open an antique locket?

Most lockets utilise a small fingernail notch or a side hinge that swings open when gentle pressure is applied. Older pieces may rely on tiny screw-top glass bezels. Care must be taken with vintage hinges and glass panels to avoid bending the gold or silver frame during opening.

What metal is best for daily wear?

Solid nine-carat or eighteen-carat gold and solid sterling silver offer the durability required for regular wear. Back and front or gold-on-silver variants require more care to preserve the thin exterior metal layer. Choosing a solid construction ensures the hinges and photo frames withstand frequent handling.

How do I date an Edwardian locket?

Edwardian lockets often feature lighter gold or silver work, sometimes incorporating platinum, old-cut diamonds or puff heart shapes. Their motifs frequently reflect early twentieth-century tastes. Comparing the hallmark stamps, style of engraving and overall form against known periods helps establish the approximate decade of manufacture.