Engraved photo pendant: which shape and which photo to choose?

You would like to give — or treat yourself to — a pendant engraved with a photo, but you are still hesitating: heart, round, rectangle or barrel? And above all, which photo should you send so that the face stands out well on the metal? These are the two questions we are asked most often. Here is our practical advice, based on our medallion product pages, to make the right choice the first time.

Why the shape of the pendant matters so much

The shape is not only about looks: it determines the space available for the engraving and therefore the number of faces that can appear on one side. A medallion that is too small for the chosen photo means shrinking the faces, which loses detail. Conversely, a large medallion for a single portrait can look a little empty. The right reflex: start from the photo (how many people?) and then choose the matching shape and size.

The heart: the symbol of affection par excellence

The heart remains the great classic for a partner, a mum or a grandmother. Our 925/1000 silver heart measures 2.2 cm in height and width: it elegantly holds up to two faces on one side, and a third can be added. It costs €44, and its gold-plated version €54.

For an even more explicit message, the “Love” heart medallion combines the photo with the word Love, in rhodium-plated silver or gold plated. You will find all these models in our selection of engraved gold-plated and silver hearts.

• Ideal for: a couple, a parent with their child, a single portrait.
• Good to know: the heart narrows towards the point; centre the faces well on your photo.

The round: versatile and timeless

The round medallion is probably the easiest shape to wear every day, for a woman as well as a man. It comes in several sizes. The medium round silver pendant (2.2 cm in diameter) costs €54, as does the medium gold-plated round (2 cm). The large round medallion, in silver or gold plated, measures 2.7 cm in diameter and costs €69.

According to our product pages, the round is ideal for one or two faces on one side, and three faces are possible. So it is a very good choice for a close-up family photo. Discover the whole range of engraved round medallions in gold plate and silver.

The rectangle: a modern, clean line

The rectangle appeals to those who like sober lines. In silver, it comes in three sizes: small (2.1 x 1.4 cm) at €44, medium (1.6 x 2.5 cm) at €54 and large (3.2 x 2 cm) at €69. For the small silver rectangle, a single engraved face is recommended: it is the perfect size for a discreet portrait.

The large gold-plated rectangular medallion (3.2 x 1.9 cm), at €69, can be engraved with up to three faces on one side. The vertical format of the rectangle suits head-and-shoulders portraits and photos taken in portrait orientation. Compare the models in our collection of engraved gold-plated and silver rectangles.

The barrel: the elegance of an oval shape

The barrel, with its rounded edges, offers a generous surface while keeping a soft silhouette. The gold-plated barrel (3 cm high, 2 cm wide) costs from €49; it is ideal for one or two faces, even three. The large rhodium-plated silver barrel medallion, of the same dimensions, costs €69.

There is also a small barrel (2.5 x 1.7 cm), from €44, particularly suited to engraving a child's drawing or a pattern. Find these models among our engraved barrel medallions.

Quick guide: which shape for how many faces?

• A single portrait: small silver rectangle, small barrel, heart or gold-plated scroll (2 x 1.5 cm, designed for the portrait of one person on one side, at €49.90).
• A couple or two children: 2.2 cm heart, medium or large round, barrel.
• Three people: large round, barrel or large gold-plated rectangle.

To engrave more people, another solution is to split the photos: on several of our medallions, a second photo can be engraved on the back (€7 option).

Which photo for a successful engraving?

This is the most important point. The quality of the engraving depends directly on the photo you send. Here is how it is prepared, as described on our product pages: your photo is cut out, meaning the background is removed and only the person's face remains. It is then optimised with software to obtain maximum contrast. The engraving is done with machines fitted with a diamond tip.

The key point to understand: the machine engraves according to the light. A shadowed area stays black and is therefore not engraved. Hence our advice:

• Avoid full sun: it creates strong shadows under the eyes, nose or chin.
• Avoid backlighting: a dark face in front of a window or a bright sky will not give a good result.
• Prefer soft, even light: in the shade outdoors, or near a window without direct sun.
• Choose a photo where the face is sharp and clearly visible: from the front or three-quarter view, without sunglasses or a hat casting a shadow.
• Send the original photo rather than a screenshot: the sharper the image, the finer the detail.

Combining two photos on one medallion

Would you like to bring together two people who are not in the same photo — for example two children photographed separately, or a grandparent and grandchild? On several models, we offer a montage of two photos for €3. We then balance the brightness of the two images to give the impression that it is a single photo. Text on the back can also be added for €3: a first name, a date of birth or a short message.

Silver or gold plated: how to decide?

All the shapes presented here exist in silver and in gold plate. Rhodium-plated silver offers a bright white shine: rhodium, applied as a thin layer over 925 silver, makes it shinier and helps it last longer. Gold plate brings a warmer, dressier tone. The simplest way is to go by the jewellery the person already wears. Browse our engraved silver photo pendants and our gold-plated pendants engraved with a photo to compare.

In summary

To choose your engraved photo pendant well, start by counting the faces, then choose the shape that matches the person's style, and finally select a well-lit photo without shadows or backlighting. Each jewel is delivered in its gift pouch, with a gift box and card available as options.

Unsure between two shapes, or not sure your photo will be suitable? Feel free to contact us: our team will be happy to advise you before you order.