Lock of Hair Keepsakes

What Is a Lock of Hair Keepsake?

A lock of hair keepsake is a piece of memorial jewelry that permanently seals a small portion of your loved one's hair inside hand-poured fused glass. Unlike ash-holding pendants designed for cremated remains, a hair memorial keepsake holds only a lock of hair — making it lightweight and subtle. The hair is fused directly into the glass during the creation process, so the lock remains safely enclosed and visible through the glass.

Hair locket keepsakes are often preferred by families who do not have ashes to memorialize, or who wish to keep a physical reminder that is more personal than a traditional pendant. Many customers commission a lock of hair keepsake box for a living family member — a grandchild, parent, or sibling — to preserve their hair as a keepsake without loss.

Styles of Hair Locket Keepsakes

Pendant Lockets are the most popular style. These glass-infused lockets hang from a chain necklace and hold the hair in a sealed chamber. Pendant lockets range from simple minimalist designs to elaborate multi-colored glass compositions. Most pendant hair locket keepsakes measure between 0.5 and 1.5 inches and work for both men and women.

Keepsake Boxes are larger vessels designed for display on a shelf, nightstand, or memorial altar. These lock of hair keepsake boxes typically feature a sealed glass chamber with decorative framing and sometimes include a small nameplate or engraving area. Keepsake boxes are often chosen as more formal memorials or for shared family remembrance spaces.

Bracelet Charms feature a smaller glass chamber designed to attach to an existing charm bracelet. Charm-style hair memorial keepsakes allow you to add the keepsake to a bracelet you already wear, making the hair locket discreet and portable.

Hair Color and Customization

The fused glass process works best with hair that is naturally black or white. If your loved one had brown, red, blonde, or gray hair, our artists will dye the hair black or white of your choice before fusing it into the glass. Black dye provides the highest contrast and visibility within the glass; white creates an elegant, subtle appearance.

Glass colors range from clear to vibrant blues, purples, greens, and pinks, allowing you to customize the aesthetic. Some customers choose a color that held special meaning — for example, a loved one's favorite color or a hue that represents a shared memory. The combination of custom hair color and custom glass color creates a truly unique lock of hair keepsake.

Each hair memorial keepsake is hand-poured and one-of-a-kind. No two glass pieces are exactly alike. Learn more about the materials and craftsmanship in our materials and composition guide.

How to Order a Lock of Hair Keepsake

Gather the Hair — Collect a small lock of hair from your loved one (living or deceased). A lock about the size of a pencil or two-ply thread is sufficient. Hair can be freshly cut, taken from a brush, or collected from earlier keepsakes or memory items.

Choose the Style — Select whether you prefer a pendant locket, keepsake box, or charm. Pendant lockets are the most affordable option; keepsake boxes are larger and more formal.

Select Glass Color and Hair Dye — Choose your glass color from our palette. If the hair is not naturally black or white, specify which dye color you prefer.

Add Engraving (Optional) — Many customers personalize their hair memorial keepsake with a name, date, or short inscription. Engraving options are available at checkout.

Ship Your Hair — We provide a secure, prepaid shipping envelope. Send your lock of hair and completed order form to our studio. Our artists will create your keepsake within 2–3 weeks of receiving your materials.

Receive and Cherish — Your finished lock of hair keepsake box or pendant arrives ready to display or wear. For care and preservation instructions, see our glass jewelry care guide.

Hair Keepsakes vs. Ashes Keepsakes

A lock of hair keepsake is fundamentally different from ash-holding memorial jewelry. Ash jewelry holds cremated ashes in a sealed metal compartment; a hair locket keepsake holds actual hair in fused glass. Hair memorial keepsakes are lighter, often more personal, and do not require knowledge of whether cremation will take place. Many families choose hair keepsakes before a loved one passes, making them ideal for celebrating living relationships as well.

For a broader comparison of memorial keepsake styles, browse our pendant, ring, bracelet, and other ashes memorial styles. For guidance on choosing between hair and ashes keepsakes, see our lock of hair keepsake guide.

Free Shipping on All Lock of Hair Keepsakes

Every lock of hair keepsake ships free within the United States, including the prepaid return shipping envelope for sending us your hair and order materials. Most keepsakes are completed and shipped within 3 weeks of receiving your hair. If you are commissioning a lock of hair keepsake as a gift, see our gift selection guide for personalization ideas. If you have questions about customization, turnaround time, or materials, our customer service team is available to help. Browse our full jewelry collection for pendants, rings, bracelets, and other styles.