Pendant vs. Locket: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A pendant is a piece of jewelry that hangs from a chain worn around the neck, while a locket is a small, hinged case, often a pendant, that can open to reveal space for a small item, typically a photograph.
Key Differences
A pendant is a decorative piece of jewelry that hangs from a necklace or chain, varying in shape, size, and design. Lockets, a subset of pendants, are specifically designed to open and close, typically holding something sentimental, like a photograph or a small keepsake.
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Pendants serve primarily as a decorative ornament, often symbolic or aesthetic in nature, without an inherent function beyond adornment. Lockets, however, combine decoration with a personal or emotional function, often serving as a keepsake or memento holder.
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Pendants can come in an endless variety of designs, including simple gems, intricate metalwork, or themed shapes. Lockets are usually shaped to allow opening, often oval or heart-shaped, and are designed to securely hold contents inside.
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Throughout history, pendants have been used as symbols of faith, status, or personal identity. Lockets have a romantic and sentimental connotation, often associated with love, memory, and loss.
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Both pendants and lockets can be made from a wide range of materials, including gold, silver, gemstones, and more. The craftsmanship in lockets, however, also focuses on the hinge and clasp mechanism that allows them to open and close securely.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Jewelry piece that hangs from a chain
A hinged case, often worn as a pendant
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Primary Function
Decorative, symbolic
Holds items like photos for sentimental value
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Design Variability
Wide range of shapes and styles
Typically designed to open and close
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Emotional Significance
Can have personal or symbolic meaning
Strong sentimental and emotional associations
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Craftsmanship
Focuses on aesthetic design
Includes functional design for securing contents
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Pendant and Locket Definitions
Pendant
A hanging light fixture.
Pendant lights hung above the kitchen island, providing a cozy ambiance.
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Locket
A sentimental piece of jewelry that opens and closes.
The locket, passed down for generations, held great sentimental value.
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Pendant
A part of an object that hangs down.
The pendant branches of the willow tree created a serene canopy.
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Locket
A hinged case, often containing a memento.
He opened the locket to reveal a lock of hair from his childhood.
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Pendant
Something suspended from something else, especially an ornament or piece of jewelry attached to a necklace or bracelet.
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Locket
A small ornamental case worn on a necklace.
Inside her locket was a tiny photograph of her grandmother.
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Locket
A personal ornament that can contain a photograph or other small item.
For her birthday, she received a locket with her initials engraved on it.
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Pendant
A sculptured ornament suspended from a vaulted Gothic roof or ceiling.
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Locket
A small ornamental case for a picture or keepsake that is worn as jewelry, often as a pendant on a necklace.
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Locket
A pendant that opens to reveal a space used for storing a photograph or other small item.
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Locket
A small lock; a catch or spring to fasten a necklace or other ornament.
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Locket
A little case for holding a miniature picture or lock of hair, usually suspended from a necklace or watch chain.
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Locket
A small ornamental case; usually contains a picture or a lock of hair and is worn on a necklace
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Pendant
A piece of jewellery which hangs down as an ornament, especially worn on a chain around the neck.
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Locket
A keepsake holder worn as a piece of jewelry.
Her locket held a small, pressed flower from their first date.
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Pendant
(nautical) A short rope hanging down, used to attach hooks for tackles; a pennant.
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Pendant
(fine arts) One of a pair; a counterpart.
One vase is the pendant to the other vase.
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Pendant
A long narrow flag at the head of the principal mast in a royal ship.
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Pendant
Something which hangs or depends; something suspended; a hanging appendage, especially one of an ornamental character, as to a chandelier or an eardrop; also, an appendix or addition, as to a book.
Some hang upon the pendants of her ear.
Many . . . have been pleased with this work and its pendant, the Tales and Popular Fictions.
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Pendant
An ornamental object or piece of jewelry with a hook so that it can be hung from a chain around the neck.
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Pendant
A hanging ornament on roofs, ceilings, etc., much used in the later styles of Gothic architecture, where it is of stone, and an important part of the construction. There are imitations in plaster and wood, which are mere decorative features.
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Pendant
One of a pair; a counterpart; as, one vase is the pendant to the other vase.
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Pendant
An adornment that hangs from a piece of jewelry (necklace or earring)
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Pendant
A piece of jewelry that hangs from a necklace.
Her pendant, a delicate silver bird, sparkled in the sunlight.
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Pendant
An ornament suspended from a roof, vault, or ceiling.
The grand hall was adorned with intricate pendants.
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Pendant
An emblem or charm worn on a necklace.
He wore a pendant with his family's crest to the reunion.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What defines a locket?
A locket is a small case that opens to hold a sentimental item, often worn as a pendant.
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Nov 30, 2023
What is a pendant?
A pendant is a piece of jewelry that hangs from a necklace.
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Do pendants have symbolic meanings?
Yes, pendants often carry personal or cultural symbolism.
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Can any jewelry piece be a pendant?
Most small ornaments that hang from a chain or necklace can be considered pendants.
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Can pendants be made of any material?
Pendants can be made from various materials like gold, silver, gemstones, and more.
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Do lockets always have a vintage look?
Not necessarily, lockets can range from vintage to modern styles.
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Are lockets always used for photographs?
While often used for photos, lockets can hold any small keepsake.
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Is a locket a type of pendant?
Yes, a locket is a specific type of pendant with a hinged case.
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Are pendants worn only on necklaces?
Primarily, but they can also be attached to bracelets or earrings.
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Can a locket be a family heirloom?
Yes, lockets are often passed down as family heirlooms due to their sentimental nature.
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Are all lockets oval or heart-shaped?
While common, lockets can come in various shapes and designs.
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Can lockets be worn every day?
Yes, lockets can be designed for everyday wear or special occasions.
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How do you choose what to put in a locket?
Items in a locket are usually chosen for their personal sentimental value.
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Can pendants be casual or formal jewelry?
Pendants suit both casual and formal occasions, depending on the design.
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Are pendant necklaces a popular gift?
Yes, pendant necklaces are a popular and versatile gift choice.
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Can lockets be customized?
Lockets can be personalized with engravings, photos, or unique designs.
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Is there a specific way to wear pendants?
Pendants can be worn in various ways, often depending on personal style and the necklace length.
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Do pendants have a religious significance?
Some pendants can have religious meanings, like crosses or medallions.
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Are there modern versions of lockets?
Modern lockets may incorporate contemporary designs or technology, like digital photo storage.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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