Heart-shaped jewelry is a natural for Valentine’s Day. But you might be surprised at the variety and styles.
Valentine’s Day is hearts. Cupid’s shooting at them, cards and cookies are shaped like them. It’s intrinsic to the holiday and symbolic of love and giving someone your heart.
While it’s an expected motif, what you might not expect is how malleable the heart shape is. It can be traditionally symmetrical and pleasantly round or stylized, asymmetrical and a little edgy. You can find a piece of jewelry with a heart motif to suit any style, sensibility or age of the wearer.
Traditional hearts
This heart shape is the one you see on cards, cakes and decorations and is the type we learned to draw as kids. It’s incredibly popular across all types of jewelry — from earrings to pendants to bracelets and even rings.
While the shape remains pretty constant, the materials are where you can make big differences. A shiny 10K gold pendant feels more casual than a pendant set with gorgeous pave diamonds with a deep red ruby. A dainty silver heart bracelet feels different than a double-heart couples necklace.
Claddagh jewelry also includes a heart, and is a traditional motif mostly associated with Ireland, but one that has its roots in ancient Rome. Claddagh jewelry is available in rings, pendants, bracelets and earrings.
Stylized hearts
If the traditional regular heart-shape doesn’t suit your Valentine — or if you want to change it up a bit — designers interpret the heart in more free-form or stylized shapes.
The Open Hearts by Jane Seymour™ collection is one of the best known of these interpretations. A linear open-ended heart shape has been adapted to pendants, rings, bracelets and earrings, accented with birthstones or the gems of your choice or in plainer styles.
Sideways necklaces are new on the scene, and there are many styles of hearts, with the addition of Cupid’s arrow. Available in a variety of metals, these necklaces are fashion-forward and a bit more edgy than more traditional styles.
Another newer expression of “forever” love is the melding of heart shapes with the infinity symbol. You can also find these in sideways necklace styles and more traditional pendants.
The great thing is, there are styles out there for anybody’s taste. Go simple and sweet for a daughter or granddaughter. Add your children’s birthstones or a locket with pictures for a mom. Your wife or girlfriend might adore the horizontal necklace, while you can also go all-out with a heart dripping in diamonds.
Give her your heart with heart-shaped jewelry.
Ready to shop? Kay Jewelers and Jared The Galleria Of Jewelers have a large selection of heart-shaped jewelry to show your love.
