20 Heart-Shaped Jewels for Valentine’s Day and Beyond  

February 13, 2024   |  Sonia Esther Soltani

The sentimental symbol makes a meaningful statement either for lovers exchanging presents on the commercially designated day of romance or for self-purchasing consumers looking for a new ornament to cherish.

However one feels about Valentine’s Day, heart jewels are an indispensable offering in retailers’ showcases. From classic to modern interpretations, they are year-round covetable items.

Antique heart jewels — think Victorian lockets that can contain a picture or a strand of hair to funky contemporary enamel pendants — feel timelessly seductive. Vintage dealers Fred Leighton in New York and Hancocks in London both have a lovely selection of 19th-century romantic items that have passed the test of time. At Clive Davis’s recent Salute to Industry Icons Pre-Grammy Gala, singer Lana Del Rey wore a red enamel heart and snake pendant from Fred Leighton, on a velvet ribbon, to stunning effect.

A late Victorian diamond heart-shaped pendant locket, c.1896, from Hancocks. (Hancocks)
A late Victorian diamond heart-shaped pendant locket, c.1896, from Hancocks. (Hancocks)
19th century red enamel heart and snake pendant from Fred Leighton. (Fred Leighton)
19th century red enamel heart and snake pendant from Fred Leighton. (Fred Leighton)

Contemporary designers are playing with the heart motif using delicate pastel gemstones or vibrant enamel, enchanting floral patterns or textured gold. Emily P. Wheeler’s Queen of Heart earrings set with pink opal are an example of doing hearts in a playful way. The romantic rendering would have looked perfect on Margot Robbie in the Barbie movie. Meanwhile NeverNot’s signature bright enamel gives a pop art vibe to the motif with chunky rings and fun pendants.  

Emily P. Wheeler Queen of Hearts earrings in 18-karat yellow gold, pearl, and pink opal. (Emily P. Wheeler)
Emily P. Wheeler Queen of Hearts earrings in 18-karat yellow gold, pearl, and pink opal. (Emily P. Wheeler)
NeverNot Show N Tell pendant with neon pink enamel and diamonds in 18-karat yellow gold. (NeverNot)
NeverNot Show N Tell pendant with neon pink enamel and diamonds in 18-karat yellow gold. (NeverNot)

Even more than celebrating February 14th, heart jewels are the ideal gift for the self-purchasing collector. Jewels Aficionado’s Self Love series of elegant heart-shaped pendants with diamond-set letters, Seal & Scribe’s Love Letters collection featuring Victorian and Georgian symbolic seals, or Toni Lynn’s Healing Heart pieces with a witty bandage to mend a heartbreak are a few examples of how consumers can express their individuality and love of jewelry.   

Jewels Aficionado Self-Love pendant handcrafted in 18-karat yellow gold with diamonds, available in the 26 letters of the English alphabet. (Jewels Aficionado)
Jewels Aficionado Self-Love pendant with gold ball chain, handcrafted in 18-karat yellow gold with diamonds, available in the 26 letters of the English alphabet. (Jewels Aficionado)
Seal & Scribe You Are My Obsession ring set with an antique glass seal and rubies in 18-karat yellow gold. (Seal & Scribe)
Toni Lynn Healing Heart hoop earrings in 14-karat rose gold. (Toni Lynn)
Toni Lynn Healing Heart hoop earrings in 14-karat rose gold. (Toni Lynn)
Lord Jewelry Floral Heart pendant crafted in 18-karat yellow gold, with enamel and diamonds. (Lord Jewelry)
Lord Jewelry Floral Heart pendant crafted in 18-karat yellow gold, with enamel and diamonds. (Lord Jewelry)
Lydia Courteille Marie Antoinette earrings in 18-karat gold set with aquamarines, sapphires,  yellow and orange sapphires. (Lydia Courteille)
Lydia Courteille Marie Antoinette Dark Side earrings in 18-karat gold set with aquamarines, sapphires, yellow and orange sapphires. (Lydia Courteille)
Lovebox ring set with a Swiss blue topaz and diamonds from Baroque Rocks. (Baroque Rocks)
Lovebox ring set with a Swiss blue topaz and diamonds from Baroque Rocks. (Baroque Rocks)
Alice Cicolini Sari Lucknow jacket ring in 14-karat yellow gold with lacquer enamel, shown with a Mahenge pink spinel enamel and gold ring. (Alice Cicolini)
Alice Cicolini Sari Lucknow jacket ring in 14-karat yellow gold with lacquer enamel, shown with a Mahenge pink spinel enamel and gold ring. (Alice Cicolini)
Harwell Godfrey Heart Chandelier earrings in 18-karat gold with heart-shaped spinels and diamonds. (Harwell Godgrey)
Harwell Godfrey Heart Chandelier earrings in 18-karat gold with heart-shaped spinels and diamonds. (Harwell Godfrey)
Imperfect Grace Lubov diamond heart charm in 14-karat yellow gold with signature luster finish.
Imperfect Grace Lubov diamond heart charm in 14-karat yellow gold with signature luster finish. (Imperfect Grace)
Marie Lichtenberg Love ring in 18-karat gadrooned yellow gold with diamonds and rubies. (Marie Lichtenberg)
Marie Lichtenberg Love ring in 18-karat gadrooned yellow gold with diamonds and rubies. (Marie Lichtenberg)
Lauren Rubinski Bruno two-tone heart charm in 14-karat yellow and white gold. (Lauren Rubinski)
Lauren Rubinski Bruno two-tone heart charm in 14-karat yellow and white gold. (Lauren Rubinski)
Guzema Transformer ring with diamonds in 14-karat white gold. (Guzema)
Guzema Transformer ring with diamonds in 14-karat white gold. (Guzema)
M.Spalten Dolly ring with chrysoprase and emeralds in 14-karat yellow gold. (M.Spalten)
M.Spalten Dolly ring with chrysoprase and emeralds in 14-karat yellow gold. (M.Spalten)
Meili Heart Key Emblem in 18-karat gold with garnet. (Meili)
Meili Heart Key Emblem in 18-karat gold with garnet. (Meili)
Dina Kamal Ra Heart pinky ring handcrafted in 18-karat yellow gold. (Dina Kamal)
Dina Kamal Ra Heart pinky ring handcrafted in 18-karat yellow gold. (Dina Kamal)

Main image: Daniela Villegas Saraswati ring in 18-karat rose gold set with purple tourmaline, and pink sapphires. (Daniela Villegas)

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