Sweetheart Styles
High-profile Valentine’s Day gifts (we’re looking at you, Travis Kelce, and your gold and diamonds gifts to T. Swizzle in 2025) may have higher price tags than what the general public spends, but that doesn’t mean they are any less sentimental or endearing. From color combinations like pink and red to traditional symbols like hearts to designs that are nontraditional but even more thoughtfully executed than obvious symbols of affection, there are myriad ways to express love for others through jewelry.
The duo of pink and red isn’t a straightforward choice for Valentine’s Day, but it does pack a powerful and graphic punch.
ODI / Original Designs
“Red and pink sapphires have been popping in the last few months,” explains Adam Bassalali, cofounder, vice president, Lali Jewels. “And even more so for Valentine’s Day.”
Prefer pink alone? Bassalali can offer that, as well as specific motifs (think infinity symbols and friendship bracelets). And few have ever turned down rubies and diamonds.
“Those are always great gems for Valentine’s Day,” observes Theresa Namie, merchandise manager at Ostbye.
Other motifs include butterflies, such as the ones from Asian Star, and keys and crown motifs from Prime Art & Jewel. Padlocks are also symbols of love, and they can be unisex. That’s how Valerie Fletcher, vice president of design and product development for ODI / Original Designs, sees the symbol. They used it in a new collection that includes Valentine’s gifts for men.
“Our padlock pendants say, ‘You’re my safe place’ and have iconic symbols representing strength, loyalty, leadership and protection,” she explains. “Most of what you see advertised for Valentine’s Day is women’s jewelry. These padlocks are designed to be worn by anyone.”
And while hearts have been trending, many women still don’t care for them. Still, they’re “an easy expression of love for a romantic gift and rarely get returned,” says Namie. Brevani has some cute oversize ones set with pavé diamonds, and Imperial Pearl has a large, fun silver pendant in a heart motif silhouette of cultured freshwater pearls.
A unique idea to express love? One of Ostbye’s retail clients runs a campaign called Rooted in Love utilizing the manufacturer’s floral and leaf designs.
“We also recommend stackable rings as they can be added onto over the years and can be worn all the time for any occasion,” she adds.
Another out-of-the-box expression of love? Ostbye’s Heartstrings collection that one of its retailers suggested and helped design. Gifts are packaged as suites containing an earring, a pendant, and “one very fun heart!” says Namie.
“This has symbolism using the strings for the one that pulls at your heart and the two diamonds that represent the two that are bonded in love,” she explains.
Ostbye
And while she concedes that the concept isn’t brand new, Ostbye realizes that “there is a whole new generation of customers that love them,” she says.
Another subtle symbol of love? Initials—especially when using those of a loved one. Aneri Jewels has oversize cursive ones in yellow gold and diamonds, as does Chatham Gems, with fancy cuts of created colored gemstones like rubies. Royal Chain Group even has gold ones that resemble filled helium balloons.
And when gold prices are high and seem out of reach for clients, remember this practical insight from Namie: “Valentine’s Day is typically lower price points, so using silver and 10k gold is an easy sale.”