Heart jewelry to begin with: a really nice present for a husband to give to his wife, or a boyfriend to give to his girlfriend, would be a gold heart charm either on a chain or on a bracelet.  There are many different ones to choose from, even some with inscriptions on them such as “I loved you from the start” or the simple message every woman wants to hear from her man “I love you”.  But what will make the one you give to your loved one unique is the personal message you have inscribed on it – a message that may be even more welcome than the two mentioned above.  This could be the date you met or the event that brought you together or a few words from “your song” or any other sentiment that comes from the heart to show her just how much she means to you.

Of course, jewelry and particularly heart jewelry makes an ideal Christmas present for any female member of the family or close friend.  Heart earrings customized with her birthstone would be well received by a friend and a heart locket engraved with a message from her child is sure to bring a smile and tears of joy to any Mom.  Having an item of jewelry designed and handmade for you or you making it yourself would make the gift even more special.

Looking beyond jewelry, it is a fact that handmade gifts are always well received because of the love that goes into the making of them.  I remember one year my daughter and son in law were struggling for money and didn’t want to go into debt so instead they decided to make presents for their family and friends.  For my parents they cooked some of their favorite dishes for them to put in their freezer, they made candles for some of their friends, they made gift boxes and filled them with toiletries, they also designed and printed their own gift cards offering their time to do errands and chores.  All of these gifts were gratefully received as they had tailored them to the individuals.

There is no end of gift ideas that you can make yourself or as a family.  One really great idea I saw as a gift for Grandma was an apron (every one knows that Grandmas are the best cooks!) with a family photograph on it and hand prints round the bottom.  Yet another one in a similar vein was a T shirt with children’s footprints on it and an inscription saying “my grandkids walk all over me”.  This would be a superb gift for the doting Grandpa.

Do you know someone who likes to encourage birds into their garden?  If so then a bird bath made of terracotta pots and clay saucers, then hand painted, would make a welcome addition to that yard.  Added to this could be handmade stepping stones to further personalize a garden.  You don’t have to be artistic to make your own presents – there are lots of craft books, kits and online ideas with step by step instructions to help you create that special gift.

There is nothing nicer than receiving a personalized gift as it shows that the giver has given a lot of thought and taken the time to choose an individual present. Whether you decide to buy the people on your list a piece of jewelry such as a heart necklace or a gold heart charm or instead you opt to make a unique handmade present, you can be sure it will bring joy to whoever receives it.

Which brings me on to the question I want to pose: have you noticed the increasing trend of men, especially celebrities and NFL and basketball players, having both ears pierced and wearing matching diamond stud earrings?  Is this the start of a trend that will spread?  Maybe history can give us a clue – because while the idea of pierced ears for both men and women goes back centuries, there was a time when the practice for men went out of style.  With it’s resurgence, and the fact that men are now wearing a style that one would usually think of as more for women, does it follow that they too will begin to choose other more traditionally feminine designs such as a heart earring?

As far back as early civilization both men and women have been adorning themselves with jewelry including earrings.  The ancient Egyptians were very accomplished jewelry makers and not only was the wearing of it a sign of wealth and status, it was important in ensuring a safe and trouble free journey to the afterlife.  When the tombs in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt were discovered, such as that of Tutankhamen, the range of different pieces of jewelry found was quite staggering – there were bracelets, amulets, rings, necklaces, earrings, head bands, belts, anklets (and gold vests which were unique to the Egyptian culture).

In Old Testament biblical times there is a reference to the wearing of earrings by both of the sexes in Exodus chapter 32 verses 1-4.  When the Israelites were in the wilderness and they were waiting for Moses to come down from the mountain they asked Aaron to make them an image of a god that they could follow.  Aaron agreed to this and told them to bring him the gold earrings which were worn by the wives, sons and daughters.

Wearing earrings remained fashionable for both men and women until the Early Middle Ages but then the trend died out for a while.  During the 1900s, sailors made the wearing of earrings by men popular again.  One reason for the return of this trend was they believed that if they were lost at sea, when their body washed ashore, whoever found it would take the earring and use it to pay for a proper burial for them.   Having a pierced ear also signified that the sailor had crossed the equator or sailed round the world.

The modern trend of men having their ears pierced goes back to the hippie culture of the 1960s and 1970s.  Lets be honest, this was a time of breaking away from conventionality and the perceived stuffiness of the older generation (my father was in the Royal Air Force, and my father in law was in the Royal Marines during World War Two and I somehow cannot imagine them wearing an earring!).  During this time there was a debate as to which ear a man should have pierced depending on his sexual orientation; gay men should have their right ear done while heterosexual guys should choose the left.  Nowadays, this no longer applies as having both ears pierced is becoming increasingly the norm and even if only one ear is pierced (whether left or right) it is does not signify a man’s sexual preferences.

Now that some men are becoming “metrosexual”, taking more pride in their looks and wardrobe, using products such as moisturizers and make up (things I know my parents would have thought “unmanly”) maybe jewelry designs for men will change as well.  In an earlier post I suggested that men are still not seen wearing a heart chain, but maybe if one of the professional athletes or a male celebrities started wearing some heart jewelry then maybe we would see a heart earring, or heart chain selection in the men’s jewelry section in stores.  So look our for heart bracelets, heart necklaces and heart charms to populate the men’s jewelry section and join up with the heart earring offerings as well.

Why choose a sterling silver heart necklace?  There are many reasons why one should choose a sterling silver heart necklace over other options in necklaces. To begin with, these necklaces are less expensive than other necklaces such as those made from gold. The heart shaped pendant is ideal to be given to one’s beloved since women have been found to fall in love at first sight with a sterling silver heart pendant necklace. If maintained properly, sterling silver retains its charm and beauty for years. In addition, even if the silver is tarnished after years of wear, one can easily get it polished and make it appear as new as it was in the beginning.

There are many designs available within these heart necklaces. For example, there are double heart pendant designs in which two intertwined hearts, symbolizing the love between two souls, are asymmetrically interconnected. Now, with a sterling silver heart charm necklace, one can also personalize the pendant by getting one’s own and one’s beloved’s name engraved on each of the hearts along with birthstones. Another beautiful design is the one where a solid heart dangles through a hollow heart. With this pendant, one can easily adjust how deep the solid heart drops on one’s neck.

In addition to these popular designs, one can also find a number of sterling silver necklaces of different lengths with a pendant decorated with different stones. Though depending on the stone used, these necklace pendants will cost you more; they are worth considering because of their sheer timeless beauty.

Whom would these necklaces suit?  Heart sterling silver necklaces are meant for both adult women and teenage girls. Since sterling silver has an elegant white shine, these necklaces would suit females of all skin colors, whether white, dusky or dark. These necklaces are perfect for not only big parties and events, they can even be worn to casual dates and parties and even to office as well. These pendant necklaces go well with all kinds of dresses as well, be it an expensive evening gown or a casual party dress.

If you are a male and are looking for a beautiful piece of jewelry to give to any woman in your life, be it your mother, wife, girlfriend or daughter, then you need not look further than these sophisticated heart shaped silver necklaces and pendants. Not only will the woman you give the necklace to be pleasantly surprised and genuinely grateful for your gift, even you would feel a sense of satisfaction seeing the heart shaped mark of your love and affection adorning her beautiful neck and bringing a smile to her face.

Where should you buy these necklaces?  You can easily buy a beautiful heart pendant and sterling silver necklace as well as other types of heart jewelry from a jewelry store. However, a better place to look for it is the web, because it will allow you to check out the available products at different sites and compare prices. Many companies will offer you a 30-day money back guarantee on your purchase, so it is also safe to buy a pendant necklace online. Buying online will also avoid you moving away from the comfort of your own home, as the necklace would be delivered at your doorstep in a couple of days.

So take a look at the sterling silver heart necklace choices you have the next time you decide to buy and do yourself a favor!

Back in the 1950s in the USA, when teenage girls and boys were “going steady”, quite often to show their friends and other people their relationship was serious the boy would give his girlfriend his class ring to wear on a chain round her neck. In a way this was a kind of promise ring as it was showing that the girl was involved with somebody and was not available for dating other guys. The next stage after the class ring would be the giving of a “promise” ring, especially if it was an open heart ring, to show that the relationship had moved to the next stage – exclusivity.   It all seems so formal and such a long time ago now, doesn’t it?

Promise rings are traditionally less expensive than an engagement ring and are still popular today to show your loved one and the world that you are committed to each other but are not quite ready for the next step – marriage. Choosing something like an open heart ring conveys the fact that you have let one very special person into your life. If you want to have matching rings then you should check out the open heart collection by Jane Seymour as they have a style for both men and women at very affordable prices.

A promise ring given as a precursor to the actual engagement ring can be worn on any finger but is most often worn on the ring finger of the left hand. It is usually moved to the right hand ring finger to accommodate either that beautiful diamond engagement ring or a wedding band. But promise rings are not just given as a precursor to “popping the question”. They can also be used to signify other promises. For example:

• Some teens are wearing promise rings or bracelets as a sign of chastity and purity – promising to retain their virginity until they get married.

• Young couples give and wear them to show monogamy – promising to stay faithful to that one person.

• As a friendship ring, especially the Claddagh heart ring, given to a close friend – promising loyalty, friendship and love.

• It can be a symbol of sobriety and abstinence – promising to remain sober or drug free or not gamble.

Although there can be any number of meanings to a promise ring, it is  still predominantly given as a pre-engagement ring. If you search on the Internet for promise rings you will find there are numerous outlets selling them in lots of different price ranges and designs. Lots of the designs feature hearts from simple silver heart rings to more elaborate styles with diamonds or other precious stones.

If you truly want to show that your hearts are entwined you might choose a double heart ring and then at a later date complement it with a double heart necklace or some heart shaped earrings. To make the ring even more meaningful to you both you might like to have the band engraved with both your initials or with a special phrase. Whichever open heart ring you choose, you can be sure that it will be loved and cherished for the rest of her life.

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.

That was a lesson I learned recently when I was finding it increasingly difficult to choose original gifts for my very-young-at-heart 87 year old mother.  After all, there are only so many sweaters, tops, skirts and purses you can buy and besides she has no room in her closet for any more!  And she has absolutely no interest in designer shoes or designer handbags.

However, even though my Mom has never been a great one for wearing jewelry there are a couple of her tops and dresses that cry out for a bit of adornment around the neck to finish the outfit off.  Gaudy, flashy costume jewelry would not be suitable and she’s not a pearls and twin-set kind of person and she doesn’t wear sliver earrings or gold bracelets.

After having looked at lots of different designs for necklaces, a heart chain seemed to be the most appropriate. For example, these heart chains from Things Remembered pictured above and right (click on the pictures for more details) would be perfect.The heart symbol represents love and trust and as I am very close to my Mom it seemed to be the right design to show how much she means to me.  Heart jewelry was my choice!

Heart chains can be found in gold, white gold, platinum and silver so there is a huge range to choose from.  As she only wears gold jewelry – her wedding ring and a beautiful diamond engagement ring that my father bought her as a sixtieth wedding anniversary gift – I decided that whatever I chose had to compliment these.  Another consideration to bear in mind is the fact that my Mom is a petite lady so something dainty rather than big and bold was the way to go.

The necklace I finally chose was a 10K open gold heart with a small diamond on the point and it hangs on a fine rope chain.  It is very pretty and sets off her clothes nicely and – just as important – she loves it. I’m sure she will be getting other pieces of jewelry to commemorate special days like birthdays and Mother’s Day.

This experience made me realize that even someone who does not wear a great amount of jewelry appreciates the fact that you have taken the time to choose a special gift just for them.  So it is very important to think about the person you are buying for and take such things as age, clothes style and character into consideration.

So the next time you are looking for something special to give to your Mom or Grandma as a special gift, no matter what their age, remember they are never too old to appreciate a new piece of jewelry – especially one that symbolizes everlasting love like a heart chain.

I particularly like the heart bracelets and heart charms that are available in stores and on-line that can be personalized especially for baby.

Stores such as Things Remembered have some beautiful heart bracelets that you can have engraved with the child’s name or initials.  One I really like is the Birthstone Angel bracelet.  Not only can you have the heart engraved with the baby’s name and birthday but you can buy a matching necklace to go with it.

Another unique gift idea would be a starter charm bracelet that can be added to over time to commemorate milestones in baby’s life.  This truly would be a lasting gift that could become a memories bracelet to pass on to the next generation.

A number of babies have their ears pierced so why not choose from the selection of gold or silver earrings that are available?  Loveivy has a selection of children’ jewellery and you can find some cute birthstone heart earrings.

There are any number of different heart charms to choose from that can be engraved with a special message.  A heart locket engraved with either a name or special date makes a lovely gift.  If a photo of mom and dad is put inside as the little girl gets older she will always have a keepsake of how her parents looked when she was born.

Although it is mostly little girls who wear jewellery there are some pieces that you can buy for a baby boy.  If dad or mom is a soccer fan how about getting a soccer pendant or if they are baseball fans there is the engraved baseball pendant?  Or equally popular for little boys would be a St Christopher pendant.

There are lots of other personalized gifts to choose from that are suitable for both baby girls and baby boys, for instance a personalized piggy bank or “My First Year” album or even a personalized brush and comb set.

Whether you are choosing from a range of heart bracelets, heart earrings, heart charms or sports charms or other assorted items, choosing a personalized gift for that special bundle of joy will show how much you care.

Telling someone you love them is not confined to Valentines Day or to that special partner.  There are many occasions that can be commemorated with personalized heart charms.

Give them as a special anniversary gift, for a special Mother’s Day present, to let Grandma know that she is loved or to thank a special friend for just being there. Whether the recipient wears gold or silver jewelry, they are sure to appreciate the fact that you have sought out something special just for them.

How about a heart charm with the birthstone of the recipient set into it?  Or how about giving one to a new mom with the birth date and name of their new baby on it?  And I really like the padlock and key heart charms from Things Remembered that you can have engraved with your own message – there’s a picture to the left and just click on it for more details.  In fact Things Remembered has a whole selection of charms for every occasion in their charm story collection.

The great thing about heart charms is that they can be worn on a bracelet or chain around the neck or even on a keyring.   And there are so many different sorts to choose from depending on your budget and taste.  The saying goes that “diamonds are forever” so maybe the perfect gift for the love of your life would be a diamond studded heart charm.

One of my favorite collections of heart charms is “The Open Heart” designs by Jane Seymour.  These make ideal gifts for friends or family and are really beautiful.  My husband bought me one of these charms for Christmas and I never take it off.  You can now show that special man in your life how much you love him as there are Open Hearts cufflinks in  this collection!

Very popular throughout history have been locket heart charms.  Some ladies kept pictures of their husbands or fiancé in them with a lock of their hair especially if their loved one was in the military and away from home.  Moms often keep photos of their baby and their first curl when it is cut off.  These are lovely keepsakes and very personal as the wearer can keep their loved ones close all the time.

There are many different kinds of heart charms to choose from to suit any occasion so remember you can give your heart to that special someone any time not just on St Valentines Day.

Have you ever seen a man wearing a heart chain? We’ve all seen men with gold bracelets, gold chains and fancy, over-the-top rings, even if it’s only in a gangster movie or a soap opera. But have you seen a man wearing a heart chain while you’ve been out in the Mall or in the local restaurant?  Or what about other types of decoration such as a heart bracelet, a heart pendant necklace or a heart brooch?  Doesn’t seem quite right – does it?  Are men really into heart jewellery of any sort, whether it is a heart chain, earrings or anything, even in this day of political correctness and “girly” men?

With the advent of the Baby Boomer generation, jewellery for men has evolved at a high-speed rate, with many exotic innovations now commonly accepted even though they at first appeared eccentric – but there remain some “beyond the limit” items and a heart chain is just one instance.  For example, one product available at a leading jewellery seller was engraved with the words “The heart and key are timeless symbols of the singular love between two people.” – this implies a unisex appeal for the product, but do you know any men who would wear it?

Times have changed rapidly since the 1960s and the hippie/free love generation.  Until that time, twentieth century jewellery for men in western societies was generally confined to watches, cuff links and tie pins.  Understatement, refinement and quality was the goal.

And any suggestion that it was appropriate and fashionable for men to wear earrings, to display gold medallions around their necks or to have piercings in their eyes, nose, tongue (or whatever else has now come to be commonplace) would have been regarded as fitting only for savages.

Such decorations were for women only.  Western societies believed that men’s jewellery should focus on functionality, leaving colour and beauty to the arena of the female of the species.

Yet in the four decades since then we have seen a cultural transformation.  So in 2009, for example, we have completely accepted the “metrosexuals,” men who take such great pride in their looks and clothing that it is vitally important for them to be not just presentable but fashionable as well.

They believe that masculine jewelry such a silver earring makes them good to look at without being “girly” or effeminate.  In fact, there is a huge selection of fashion jewelry for men.  They boldly wear necklaces, bracelets and earrings to complement their hair or eyes because this “accessorizing” enhances their looks.  Rings, necklaces, bracelets and cuff links all emphasize their confidence, achievements and status.

Even the more conventional male members of society have been caught up in the enthusiasm of new ideas.  Large gold rings or medallions, fancy cuff links and even bracelets can be found at all levels of society.  What was once a caricature from a Hollywood film or a TV series and accepted as show business exaggeration (for example, Shaft, Starsky and Hutch or Miami Vice in the USA; Minder or Only Fools and Horse in the UK) is now commonplace in Denver or Dallas or London or Liverpool.

But there are some limits that remain to this day.  Gold and silver medallions would be regarded with any sort of disdain by very few people these days and especially the young.  But even in the age of equality of the sexes and equal rights for people of any color, religion or sexual persuasion, I suggest that a man walking down Main Street USA or High Street UK would be considered more than a little eccentric if he sported, for example, a gold, silver or diamond heart chain.  Some heart jewellry is acceptable for men and some just isn’t!  When you give it much thought though (or at least, when I do!), it does seem as if a man wearing a heart trinket (for example, a heart brooch, a heart locket, heart charms or a heart bracelet) is not exactly, how should we say, “mainstream”.

Am I living in an insulated part of the world or do you agree?