Heart Jewelry Choices, Heart Jewellery Allure

One of the frequent reasons for buying a gift, almost any sort of gift, is because it represents the positive feelings you have for that person.  Of course, some gifts are simply a matter of routine (be honest now, I bet that you have bought gifts for relatives you just don’t really like but that you had to for the sake of family harmony, or you’ve contributed to a leaving present for a colleague that you’re pleased to see the back of).

But let’s focus for a few minutes on those gifts that you buy because you want to express your love for someone.  You have many choices – too many, really, in this day and age and often so many that it becomes confusing.  However, one tried and true way to express your love for a lady (and maybe even a man, depending on your relationship and his particular style!) is to give a piece of heart jewelry.

Even if you haven’t given much thought to it before, it is easy to see why a piece of heart shaped jewelry can make the right gift for your loved one. However, there is an enormous variety of pieces and it can be so extensive that you simply must give some thought to what specific piece of jewelry you should buy. So should you buy a gold heart necklace, a silver heart bracelet or a simple heart brooch?

In fact, the answer is really obvious, isn’t it?  For the maximum impact and to deliver the message you really want to send, you need to match the gift to the lucky recipient.  For example:

• If your woman favors silver or white gold, then a white gold heart necklace or a sterling silver heart locket could be a perfect option.

• Or what about a vintage heart locket that contains your photo as an ultimate depiction of your feelings for her?

• Practically all ladies like earrings and heart design earrings can easily be bought in silver or gold and can also be encrusted with gems if you want to be extravagant.

Naturally you need to think about the individual taste of the woman who will receive the surprise. Take notice of the kind of jewelry she already wears as this can provide an idea of the colors and styles she favors.  Here are some further thoughts to help you along:

• One major trend that many observers have commented on is the increasing popularity of silver heart jewelry.  Sterling silver’s physical qualities allow it to be made into an almost limitless range of jewelry designs, ranging from delicate silver heart earrings to big bracelets and chains. One big advantage that silver has is that it’s color gives the appearance of white gold or platinum at a fraction of the cost. Silver creates a superb setting for nearly any color of gem, making it an ideal choice for moderately priced heart pendants, rings and earrings with either precious or semi-precious stones. A range of birthstones such as amethyst, garnet and topaz regularly appear in stunning silver heart jewelry designs. Nowadays, synthetic and created jewels look so good that once set in silver they can look as if they cost an absolute fortune.

• As mentioned before, the beauty of heart jewelry is that you are not limited to just one type of metal or just one style of jewelry – and this variety results in jewelry products that can match almost any budget.  Despite the likelihood that a diamond heart pendant would be perfect for the lady in your life, there are a huge selection of other heart jewelry items which can be much easier on the finances. Heart shaped necklaces can be found in various precious metals, such as white and yellow gold or sterling silver and can be set with real or artificial gemstones. As the selection is so diverse, you’re certain to manage to discover the perfect heart jewelry gift for a loved one.

• A particular celebration to which a piece of heart jewelry is best suited is a wedding anniversary. It’s a gift which will demonstrate to your wife how much you really care. Take note of whether she usually wears silver or white gold or if perhaps she prefers classic yellow gold. A little detective work in advance will ensure you opt for the ultimate heart shaped jewelry gift.

• A timeless silver or gold charm bracelet makes a fantastic gift for a girl that she’ll treasure forever. These vintage jewelry items are experiencing great demand because they have become the favorites of celebrities. The traditional heart design lock is the essential accent to the vintage form of charm bracelet where the charms are usually added gradually over time. That type makes it easy to buy gifts for the young lady later on as she would want to acquire new charms to increase her bracelet. Although, the modern epoch of designer heart charm bracelets come with several charms actually in position and it is a top selection for the designer conscious female.

So as you can see – whether it’s a gold heart necklace, a pair of silver heart earrings or a diamond heart pendant, heart jewelry can indeed solve your problems when you need a special gift for that special person!

10k White Gold Open Heart Pendant (1/5 cttw, H-I Color, I1-I2 Clarity), 18″

Open Heart Necklace in Sterling Silver .925

Silver Tone Designer Style Open Floating Heart Charm Pendant Necklace

15″ Sterling Silver Open Heart Slide Pendant Necklace

Sterling Silver Designer Inspired Cut Out Post Earrings & Open Heart Necklace

Sterling Silver Celtic Knot Open Heart Necklace, 20.5″

Sterling Silver with 2.00 carats total weight Round shape Pink Sapphire and Swiss Blue Topaz Open Heart Pendant Necklace

Sterling Silver Marcasite Floral Open Heart Necklace, 18″

Sterling Silver with 1.75 carats total weight Round shape Swiss Blue Topaz and Peridot Open Heart Pendant Necklace

Why is it that so many men have difficulty finding that perfect present for their significant other?  Often they spend hours trying to think of what to give her for that special day such as a birthday, Valentine’s Day, anniversary or Christmas – only to settle on flowers or chocolates or something totally inappropriate like a kitchen gadget.  While women love receiving these gifts, especially as they know they are given with love, nothing will make them happier than receiving a specially selected piece of jewelry, especially a piece of heart jewelry such as an open heart necklace or a beautiful pair of heart earrings.

It is not hard to choose the right gift for that special lady – all you need is a little thought and some utilization of your listening skills.  Women are very good at dropping subtle (and sometimes not so subtle!) hints on things they would like.   While some men are very good at picking up the nuances, far too many tune out when they are trailing round the Mall with their lady love unless they are looking at “guy” stuff.  When she drags you to look in a jewelry store window and “oohs” and “ahs” over the pieces she sees there, that’s exactly the time to make a mental note of what she is particularly interested in.  This will give you a list of things to choose from when the next special occasion comes round.

So now the big day has arrived, you’ve bought her the open heart necklace or heart bracelet she was admiring in the store, wrapped it carefully and chosen the perfect card to go with it.  She is going to love it, and love you too, so why not take it a step further and make the day even more special for both of you?  You could take her to her favorite restaurant for a lovely romantic meal followed by a movie or nightclub.  Or, and this is one of my favorite romantic dates with my husband, you could cook her a special meal at home with a nice bottle of wine and with the benefit of candle light in the background, then watch a “chick flick” together.  And to round off the evening, run a relaxing bath for you both to share using her favorite bath oil and lighting aromatic candles.  Not only will she think you are the most romantic man on the face of this earth she will also see how caring and how much you love her even if you don’t tell her as much as she would like.

Of course there are other gifts you can give her like clothes or sexy underwear but you had better be sure you know her size and what she really likes in the clothes and lingerie department or it could be an unmitigated disaster.  Obviously, if you are buying your significant other something as intimate as underwear, you must know your loved one very well and know that she is as excited by it as you are.  If this is not the case then steer clear of Victoria’s Secrets or you could end up in the dog house for days instead of enjoying a romantic evening together.

Another no no for gifts for your wife is anything that smacks of housework, unless she has specifically asked for a new set of saucepans or vacuum cleaner – and even then think twice about presenting her with these on that special day, no matter how long you have been together. Although she may say, when asked, that this really is all she can think that she needs, giving her a piece of heart jewelry instead will show her that you see her as more than someone who does the household chores and it will confirm that it is her who you truly love.

Not only will buying your lady an open heart necklace help spice up your marriage on that one particular occasion, you can keep the magic going by adding different heart jewelry pieces to her collection over time.  Perhaps you could buy an open heart shaped ring for your anniversary or a heart brooch for her birthday – the possibilities are endless and she will appreciate the sentiment behind them far more than a last minute dash to the store for chocolates and flowers.  Although rest assured, she would probably appreciate some of those as well!

Because the price of gold and gold jewelry has sky rocketed over the last year or so, many more people are turning to sterling silver jewelry as an alternative to gold, white gold and platinum. Sterling silver has for centuries been a popular choice for jewelry as it is very malleable into many intricate designs and is very long lasting, so items such as a sterling silver charm bracelet are highly popular.  And if you are looking to buy heart earrings, for yourself or as a gift for someone, then you should check out the enormous selection of sterling silver heart earrings that are available both in the chain jewelry stores in the Malls or from the many reputable retailers on the Internet.

There are a number of things to consider when purchasing any sterling silver jewelry to ensure that you get the best quality, the right design for the recipient and value for money.

Silver like gold and platinum is a precious metal and as with gold it has many grades.  Although the finest silver is 99.9% pure, this is found to be too soft to make practical, serviceable pieces so silver is usually alloyed with another tougher metal, usually copper, to produce a stronger more durable metal.  Sterling silver is the highest grade used in the making of jewelry and other silver products and is hallmarked 925.  This indicates that the piece is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. When buying any sterling silver heart jewelry (for example, heart rings, heart charms or a heart chain) be sure to check its authenticity and the grade of the metal by looking at the hallmark.  Any reputable jeweler will be happy to help you do this.

Apart from the fact that sterling silver is often a cheaper alternative to white gold for jewelry pieces, it is also a very versatile metal and looks good with any outfit and can be worn for any occasion.  Not only will it complement your work clothes but it will also look great with that little black dress for more formal events and will not look out of place on the beach or when teamed with T-shirt and jeans for a casual look.  Check out magazines like Hello, OK and People to see what jewelry the models and celebrities are wearing.  Many of them are choosing sterling silver.

When choosing the style of heart earrings you wish to buy, another factor to take into consideration is the face shape of the person who will be wearing them.  If the recipient has a round face then more elongated styles should be considered.  For those with a more square shaped face, hoops or dangly or chandelier designs are more suited – while for a heart shaped face, shorter length or studs look best.  Ladies with oval shaped faces can wear any design – studs, chandelier, hoops or drop earrings.

If you plan to choose a pair of sterling silver heart earrings with gemstones set into them then consider which to choose by reference to eye color. Blue or green gemstones like sapphires, Lapis Lazuli, aquamarines, emeralds, peridots and jade will emphasize the light eye colors such as blue, green or gray.  On the other hand, amber, onyx and yellow tourmalines are better suited for someone with darker eye colors. These are only guidelines and the final choice should be left to the individual, because they may well have a favorite gemstone and may wish to co-ordinate with other pieces that they have in their jewelry box.

Finally, when choosing silver heart earrings, especially if they are for someone other than you, think about the person they are for and their particular fashion style and the type of jewelry they usually wear.  For instance, if the recipient tends to wear classical style jewelry then a pair of stud heart shaped earrings would perhaps be the most appropriate, whereas for a more flamboyant character, large hoops or chandelier heart earrings might be more apt.

Whoever they are for (yourself, a friend, relative or loved one) sterling silver heart earrings are an excellent choice, because there are so many designs to choose from, they can be worn in any setting and are easily teamed up with other pieces of heart jewelry like a silver heart locket or a sterling silver heart charm bracelet.

3.27 Carat Heart Shape Diamond Engagement Ring in 18k

Heart shaped engagement rings would seem to be the ultimate proclamation of love and romance because the heart shape has for centuries symbolized these emotions. And what could be more symbolic of undying love than a pink diamond heart shaped ring?   However, before choosing this shape or this color of stone for your engagement ring there are a few things you might like to consider when determining if this is the right ring for you.

The first thing to think about is how much you can afford to spend on that unique heart shaped diamond ring.

Ladies 14k White Gold 1.04 Ct Round Cut Diamond Heart Shaped Wedding Engagement Bridal Ring Set

To ensure that the heart shape is truly discernible, stones of less than one third of a carat are rarely used and obviously the larger the stone the clearer will be the design when it is cut.  If you really would like to consider a pink diamond you need to be aware that this is the most rare and valuable of all diamonds and depending on the depth of color can cost from thousands of dollars to more than a million dollars per carat.  Even when choosing a white diamond you need to choose one of as high a quality and size as your budget allows.

When choosing a heart shaped diamond engagement ring it is very important to look at the cut of the stone.  The lobes of the heart need to be symmetrical, the point of the heart should be sharp (not rounded) and centralized so that the cut doesn’t appear lopsided or distorted.  Another thing to look for is the “bow tie” effect which is usually evident in fancy cuts such as heart and marquise cuts.  Some people like this effect but, depending on its size, it affects the sparkle of the stone.

Having chosen the stone, another thing to consider is the setting.  If you are choosing a solitaire heart shaped engagement ring, you should be sure that it has enough prongs in the setting to protect the stone.  Whereas more traditional shapes, such as the round or princess ones, have four prongs, the heart shaped diamond needs five – the extra one to protect the point of the heart.

3/4ct TW Heart-shaped Diamond Engagement Ring in 14Kt White Gold – Size 6

Some other designs to choose from could be a three stone ring – a very romantic setting with three heart shaped diamonds on a band, each one filled with love to symbolize your past, present and future together. Another increasingly popular style of ring is the Celtic Claddagh ring with the joined hands representing friendship, the heart they are holding standing for love and the crown on top symbolizing loyalty – all qualities we promise to bring to a relationship.  When used as an engagement ring or as a wedding band, these rings usually have a diamond or other precious stone in the heart.

Yet another factor to take into consideration is the shape and size of the hand of the wearer of this ring.  For instance the long shapes of the emerald and marquise cut engagement rings can look odd on fatter fingers unless they have accent stones set with them.  Equally, the generally broader round or heart shaped diamond engagement rings aren’t necessarily the right ones to choose for thinner fingers.

If you’re a man and the ring is to be given as a surprise to your future wife, do try to find out what style of engagement ring she would prefer before rushing off to buy the ultimate romantic gesture of a heart shaped engagement ring. 

14K White Gold Genuine 2.00 ct. White Topaz Heart Shaped Solitaire Engagement Ring

Even if her choice is for one of the more popular shapes of stone, you can still show your romantic side by having heart shaped scroll work or carvings on the band especially if she has other heart jewelry (for example, heart earrings or heart charms) that it will complement.

But whichever style of ring you choose, a solitaire heart shaped engagement ring or a pave diamond engagement ring, it will show the world that you are in love.

Mom and Me, Mother & Daughter, Jade w/Crystal (Hearts Entwined), Womens Bracelet, Baby Bracelet, Sterling Silver, cats eye and genuine lead-free Crystals with matching heart charms

A sterling silver heart charm bracelet might be just the solution you’re looking for if  you are ever invited to a little girl’s christening or other such naming ceremony and you are wondering what would be an appropriate gift.  If you are fortunate enough to have been chosen as one of the little girl’s godparents then you want a gift that is going to last and one that will remind her of that special day as she gets older.  For this reason you need to think about something more long lasting than simply buying a beautiful outfit of clothes which she will outgrow in a matter of weeks.

One excellent gift to consider is a sterling silver heart charm bracelet, because this is a gift that she will treasure for years to come and one which can be added to over and over again throughout her lifetime.  In case you need some help in deciding:

1. There are lots of different sterling silver charm bracelet styles on the market, whether you are searching in the Mall jewelry stores or clicking from one to another of the many retailers found on the Internet.  Because of the wide variety available it might be that there are a number of things you might like to consider before making your final choice.  Although your gift is for a baby it might be as well to buy a bracelet that is slightly larger or that can have links added so that it grows with her.

2. Choose a heart charm that can be personalized, perhaps one with her birthstone set into it so that it can be engraved with either her birthday or her Christening date on it. You might even want to choose a heart locket so that a photograph of her on her special day can be put inside.

3. Make sure that other charms can be added to the links. By giving this gift you can add a charm to it for memorable occasions throughout her life making it into a history of her growing up.  For instance, on her first birthday you could add a birthday charm or in December of the year she is born, buy her one for her first Christmas.  Memorable events during her school days could be commemorated with a charm.  Maybe even her first boyfriend could add to it by giving her a heart charm on their first Valentine’s Day.

4. Other special days that spring to mind are of course her Graduation Day when you could present her with a charm depicting a graduation cap and the year she achieved her diploma or even a diploma charm.  Another special day would perhaps be to get her a car charm for when she gets her driving license or yet another, buying a number charm for when she reaches the age of majority.

5. Then of course as she gets to the stage in life when she is contemplating marriage, a charm depicting a wedding would be very appropriate.  And as her family grows, charms can be added to mark these happy events.

6. Another reason for choosing a sterling silver heart charm bracelet is that it complements other heart jewelry such as heart earrings or a heart pendant that she may well receive as gifts as she grows up.

Of course there are other Christening gifts that you could choose for that special little girl, such as a personalized brush and comb set or a first tooth and first curl gift set or even a silver cup with her name on.  But giving a silver heart charm bracelet is a gift that will keep on giving in memories throughout the years and one which she can pass on to her own children as a part of family history.  You can be sure that your Goddaughter or niece or even friends baby girl will remember you every time she wears that special piece of jewelry.

The special message that giving heart rings as a gift highlights almost more than any other type of gift is the sentiment that the lucky recipient holds a very special place in your life. They make suitable presents for anyone as they can be given as a token of undying love or as a sign of close friendship or to celebrate an achievement.

Nowadays, the huge choice of designs and materials that this type of heart jewelry is made from makes it is failry easy to find the right ring to fit the occasion.  Here are some thoughts for you to consider if you’re trying to find that unique gift and you need some help:

1. A Wide Choice Of Heart Rings

As I mentioned in an earlier post, a heart shaped engagement ring is obviously the ultimate way to express the depth of love a man feels for his fiancée. But what about those men who have been married for a while but want to reaffirm their on going love for their wife? A heart shaped engagement ring would not be particularly appropriate but there are so many other beautiful heart shaped rings to choose from and you are sure to be able to find one to complement her other pieces of jewelry. Whether she wears yellow gold, white gold, diamonds, rubies or sapphires the choice is almost as wide and limitless as the price range is.

2. Claddagh Ring

Although the Celtic Claddagh ring was traditionally used as a wedding ring, the symbolism of the design makes it an excellent gift to give to a close friend. The two hands are said to represent friendship, the heart they are holding love and the crown on top signifies loyalty all the qualities shared by really good friends. In fact this ring is often given to friends with the phrase “Let love and friendship reign forever”.

3. Heart Shaped Signet Rings

Many years ago I had a sterling silver heart shaped signet ring with my initials engraved on it. These rings are still popular today and would make a lovely graduation gift for your daughter, one that she will treasure for ever. Traditionally made from either silver or gold there are many designs to choose from which you can have engraved with her initials and have birthstones set into them.

4. Fun Heart Rings

There are so many different kinds of heart rings on the market today including lots of fun ones like the ones made from plastic in various bright colors to match any casual outfit. Yet another design is made from clear plastic and filled with sprinkles. These rings tend to be inexpensive enough for you to buy for yourself and they will certainly draw people’s eyes to them so they will make you stand out from the crowd.

5. Heart Rings Are Complementary

And finally, one more point to make about a heart ring: it is very easy to match with a lady’s other pieces of jewelry (so you can start to think about what she already wears and exactly what type of heart ring would complement it) or it could be a whole new and welcome style for her that provides a completely new image for her. The heart ring itself is something that will match many other types of costume jewelry or fashion jewelry: depending on the design and materials you select, a heart ring can be stylish and sophisticated or it can present an extrovert and outgoing image. And it can form the start point for a wider themed collection because there are many, many fine examples of other jewelry pieces – heart charms, heart bracelets, heart necklaces and heart earrings to name just a few – so the lucky recipient can readily extend her collection once you’ve started it off.

So when you are thinking of buying a heart ring, consider what occasion it is to celebrate, or what the relationship is between you and the recipient and then enjoy picking out the one that most reflects the feelings you are trying to convey.

Sterling Silver Hand Engraved Heart Locket, 13/16 wide by 13/16

Since ancient times the heart symbol has been associated with love.  Many of the ancient cultures used it as a design on jewelry pieces but perhaps the most romantic era when heart jewelry came into its own was Victorian times.  One of the most romantic pieces of jewelry of this period was the silver heart locket. Although lockets had been used for centuries as good luck charms, or to carry poison or even to carry curative powders, their use as a symbol of love or condolence increased a great deal during the reign of Queen Victoria in the 19th century.

At first lockets were given to women who had lost a loved one so that they had a keepsake in which they could put a photograph or a lock of hair of their loved one.  Often these lockets would be worn on a pin close to the heart as a sign that although the person was no longer with them they were still in their heart and would not be forgotten.  They were also worn on chains round the neck or on charm bracelet.

As is the case today, Victorian lockets came in many different shapes: some were book shaped, some were round and of course the heart shape was popular.  They were made of different metals such as gold, silver, brass and copper.  Silver was a more common choice compared to gold due to the lower cost of that metal, a situation that remains valid today.  But is was favored more than brass and copper because the look and feel was superior.

Small Sterling Silver Hand Engraved Heart Locket, 5/8 in. (16mm) Wide and 5/8 in. (16mm) Tall

Many of these lockets had intricate designs engraved into them and most often they had the  initials of the owner or the loved one or perhaps both of these (see left for an example of a modern engraved silver heart locket and click on the picture , text or Amazon button for more details).  Some even had precious and semi-precious stones set in them.  These lockets were often passed down in families as heirlooms and I’m sure that if you go to some of the second hand jewelry stores or antique shops, especially in England, you will be able to find some of these beautiful pieces of history.

Heart lockets soon became a favorite gift to give to a loved one as the ultimate romantic symbol of love.  And what could be nicer than one that has a personalized message on it, like this next one (click on the picture, text or Amazon button for more information)?

St. Silver Tri Color I Love You Heart Shaped Locket 20x19mm – $25 Coupon Today

The photograph, lock of hair or other piece of personal memorabilia contained in the locket would serve as a reminder of the loved one even if they were far apart.  From the time of the American Civil War and the Boer War in the nineteenth century, the two world wars of the twentieth century to the conflicts that are raging today, wives, sweethearts, moms and sisters have worn heart lockets with pictures of their loved one inside as a means of keeping them close at all times.But why the heart shape?  Jewelry designs come and go but heart charms (and jewelry with heart designs on them) have never been out of fashion since they were introduced by the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians.  The heart shape is thought to have originated from the shape of the seed pod of the now extinct Silphium plant.  The Greeks and Romans believed that the plant was a gift from Apollo and it that it contained many magical properties.  Not only was it used as a seasoning in many of the Mediterranean dishes of the time, it was also used for medicinal purposes to cure anything from a cold to more serious illnesses.  But one of its main uses was as a contraceptive and this is perhaps why the shape of its seed pods (very much like a human heart) led to it becoming the symbol of love.

Nowadays a locket (whether it’s a gold heart locket, silver heart locket or some other kind) makes a great gift for women of all ages and for all occasions and it would be nice if they once again became family heirlooms.  What could tell a family’s history more than a bracelet filled with heart lockets?  It could start with one with pictures of the bride and groom on their wedding day and then as each momentous milestone in that couple’s relationship is reached a new heart charm locket could be added.  One for each child with perhaps a photograph, their first curl or even a first tooth, ones commemorating each momentous anniversary, others carrying pictures of their children’s wedding days and then of course one to welcome each grandchild.  In this age of technology it would be nice to leave a solid memento of a previous generation for the next generation. And a silver heart locket is a great compromise that gives you a valuable and long lasting piece of jewelry yet it comes at a price that is lower than the more expensive gold option.