Permanent Jewelry vs. Lockets: What’s the Difference and Which One Is Right for You?

When it comes to meaningful jewelry, few pieces hold as much emotional significance as custom photo lockets and permanent jewelry. At The Locket Sisters, we offer both—because we believe jewelry should tell your story, hold your memories, and become a lasting part of your life.

But what’s the difference between the two? And how do you choose the one that’s right for your moment, milestone, or memory?

Let’s break it down.

What Is Permanent Jewelry?

Permanent Jewelry is exactly what it sounds like: jewelry that’s welded directly onto your wrist, ankle, or neck—without a clasp—so it stays with you until you decide to remove it.

It’s subtle, sleek, and deeply symbolic. Whether you’re getting it solo, with your best friend, your daughter, or a partner, it’s a tangible expression of connection.

✔ Best For:

• Friendship or relationship bonds
  
  
• Mother-daughter moments
  
  
• Commemorating a shared experience or season of life
  
  
• Those who love minimal, everyday pieces
  
  

What Is a Locket?

A locket is a piece of jewelry that opens to reveal a photo (or multiple photos) inside. At The Locket Sisters, we custom resize your images and seal them with clear resin so they last for years to come. We offer over 50 designs—heart lockets, oval lockets, keychains, cufflinks, and more.

Each locket holds a piece of someone you love, quite literally, close to your heart.

✔ Best For:

• Memorial gifts
  
  
• Milestone moments like graduations, weddings, and anniversaries
  
  
• Honoring someone far away or someone who's passed
  
  
• Sentimental gift-giving
  
  

What’s in a Name? The Story Behind Our Chains

Each of our permanent jewelry chains is named after a beautiful word from around the world—words rich with meaning, intention, and heart. These names are more than just titles; they are reflections of the values and emotions that our jewelry is designed to hold.

Take Eunoia, a Greek word meaning “beautiful thinking; a well mind.” It’s a reminder of clarity, peace, and inner balance—qualities that can live within a simple, meaningful piece of jewelry.

Or consider Ubuntu, a powerful African philosophy that means “I am because we are.” It’s the belief that we are all defined by our compassion and humanity toward others, and it celebrates the deep connections that bind us together.

When you choose a chain, you're not just choosing a style—you’re choosing a story, a sentiment, a word that carries something powerful into your everyday life.

How to Choose: Locket or Permanent Jewelry?

Why Not Both?

You don’t have to choose. In fact, many of our customers get permanent jewelry in person at our Minneapolis studio, and pair it with a custom photo locket gift for a loved one.

You get a wearable memory that lives on you—and a heartfelt heirloom for someone else.

A Few Customer Favorites

• The Roxie Belle Heart Locket – A soft heart shape that speaks volumes.
  
  
• The Dorothy Locket – A compact and dainty square locket that opens like a book.
  
  
• Permanent Jewelry – Custom-sized and available in sterling silver, gold-filled, rose gold, or 14K gold.
  
  

Ready to Choose Your Story?

Whether you’re drawn to the forever-connected feel of permanent jewelry or the soul-filled sentiment of a locket, both are beautiful ways to honor the people and moments you treasure most.

Visit us in Minneapolis to experience permanent jewelry, or
Order your custom locket online and let us help you tell your story.