First of all I asked the question “Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry?” and then followed on with the question about what sort of heart jewelry they would choose if they could only have one piece. As you can imagine they all had very different answers and some of them quite surprised me.

The most popular selection was a heart shaped necklace but for very different reasons.  My daughter’s favorite jewelry item is her eternity ring which her husband bought her when she had their son, understandable really.  When asked what article of heart jewelry she would like someone to buy for her, she chose a yellow gold heart necklace for no other reason than that she does not have one and would really like one.

One of my friend’s teenage daughters would also choose a heart shaped necklace but her metal of choice would be silver (she also quite likes the ones encrusted with crystal or cubic zircon) as it “goes with more stuff”.  Although she was wearing bracelets and earrings she said the silver teddy bear necklace she was wearing was the favorite of all her jewelry.

A heart necklace was also chosen by one of my friends who is quite petite and not the least bit extrovert so her choice of a chunky necklace not made of precious metals or gemstones came as a bit of a surprise. When I asked her why she would choose that design she told me that it would look “funky”.  This from a lady whose style is always understated and never outrageous!

Before I asked my Mom about her favorite jewelry I knew what her answer would be.  It is the diamond solitaire that my Dad bought her two years before he died. I don’t ever remember my Mom wearing any jewelry except her wedding ring and her watch until she received the diamond ring so it came as a surprise that she would like a heart shaped ring because she would like more rings.  Who would have guessed that this eighty eight year old Great Grandma would still be interested in collecting jewelry?

I think the answers that most surprised me came from another of my friends.  She doesn’t have any favorite jewelry because she says she is not comfortable wearing it and although she has some costume jewelry she never thinks of putting it on.  When she was younger she had her ears pierced and used to wear gold earrings and she also had a gold signet ring but as she got older she stopped wearing them and now the only thing she wears is her wedding band.  Although she thinks jewelry looks nice on some people she wouldn’t want any, but she may possibly wear a heart ring.

The youngest member said that her favorite jewelry items were bracelets and she wore two or three at a time varying from plain bangle types to charm bracelets and a mixture of costume jewelry and more expensive ones.  I thought she would therefore choose a heart bracelet as her choice for heart jewelry, especially as she was wearing a very pretty one on the day I spoke to her, but that was not the case.  Instead she suggested that a delicate and tasteful pair of silver heart earrings would probably be her favorite because she could wear them every day and they would go with any outfit.

Her Mom also said that her favorite jewelry pieces were bracelets and even if she didn’t wear any other item of jewelry she felt “bare” and as if something was missing if she didn’t have a bracelet on.  Not surprisingly she said that she would choose a heart bracelet in either silver or white gold as they were her precious metals of choice.  If it was to be a gift from her husband she said she would have to tell him exactly which one she wanted and where to buy it from so that she received the right one as her tastes and his differed so much.

Talking to my friends and family made me realize that women choose their jewelry for a variety of reasons and what one likes may not be right for everybody.  It also showed me that not every woman shares a love of jewelry.  One thing they all agreed on, though, was that if someone bought them a heart shaped necklace, heart earrings or any other piece of heart jewelry it would show how much that person loved them.

However, what the words cannot say, a gift can frequently explain. It’s worth remembering that, in order to set up the most romantic atmosphere possible, preparing a present that will not only touch the heart of the person you love but also be a memory to cherish for a lifetime can go a long way to ensuring success.  In particular, heart jewelry (for example) is definitely that one style that can explain what you truly feel right at an instant.

So what is the significance of giving this type of jewelry? Heart bracelets, heart necklaces, heart earrings and heart brooches are all enormously in demand, but why?  Perhaps it is because the heart has become the universal symbol of love. Being the primary source of life for most living beings, the word has become synonymous with a deeper emotion and an in depth understanding of feelings and spirituality. Because of it’s popularity, there are various types of heart jewelry available in the market today and these can express love in a variety of ways. For a more personal touch, make sure to find a piece that truly describes the characteristics of the person. A heart shaped locket is usually the preferred choice for a gift and if you are considering getting one, take a few moments to examine your options in order to be sure that you are making the right purchase.

Find the perfect moment or an occasion where it is fitting. A wedding, for example, being the most romantic event for a couple is a great venue to display this classic piece of jewelry. Choosing a design can also have an impact on the message you are trying to convey. Other events such as a birthday or Valentine’s Day are also ideal, although for the hopeless romantic, no reason is needed to give a precious gift to a special someone. A heart shaped locket can be made from various materials such as white gold and silver and it can also be encrusted with other gems for an added appeal. Choose a style that will complement her personality. For a classic look, a yellow gold would be the right choice, while for a more casual feel  silver is the best option.

Customized items are also available. Visit a jewelry store and look at the items they offer. Your budget can also affect your jewelry buying. Set a specific amount that you are willing to spend. Local stores can help you in your search and will showcase their items in store. If this is not sufficient, the Internet is the best place to widen the variety of your options. Several online sites also offer great discounts and customized options. If you are looking for a vintage piece, then participate in a web auction where you are most likely to find the best type of investment. An expert jewelry designer can also help you if you have a specific concept in mind. Just be ready to spend a little extra on specialized heart jewelry.

In order to make the selection easier, observe the type of accessories that the person wears on a daily basis. This will give you an idea about their personal taste; it will give you an idea on what color and style to pick. If you are thinking of ordering online, just exercise caution and make sure that you are dealing with an authorized jeweler. Also, make sure to check the feedback and reviews given by previous clients.

The basic premise in finding the perfect item of heart jewelry such as a heart shaped locket for the one you love is by putting her preference first when it comes to design. It should be the type and style of item that will speak not only about your true emotions but will enhance the personality of the one you love. This is a classic investment that can last for a long time.

The glitter and movement of a quality gold heart bracelet attracts the eye of all who see this beautiful piece of jewelry. With every movement of the hand, the gold charm dances, delighting both the people watching the show and the person putting it on.

On the other hand, the more factual and down to earth person might regard it as a statement of wealth and affection combined. So what is the truth, if there is one?

Well, these symbols of the heart-shaped charm, the bracelet and the gold, represent many different things depending upon the relationship between the lovely person wearing this prize and the giver of this thoughtful gift.  Does that mean that we can look at each component of the gold heart bracelet to get a better idea?

First of all, the heart: this has been used to symbolize love and passion between lovers, desire from a suitor, devotion between friends, commitment between husband and wife and a symbol of the emotion, good health and goodwill towards all living things. Used as a charm this becomes a tangible reminder of good memories from the past, pleasant things of today and golden hopes of the future. Heart jewelry brings a smile to the lips and a warm feeling to the body because this symbol says “I love you” in whatever context it is meant.

Next, the bracelet, which is worn on the wrist near the hand; it is a physical reminder that someone is emotionally holding on to you. The touch of the bracelet gives the person wearing it the assurance of someone else’s support and caring. This treasure may have been won by a hard-fought battle in the business world, a thank you for a personal favor or for a major accomplishment. Each time the wearer puts it on, looks at it, touches it or thinks about it, that person will remember when this glimmering, shiny adornment was received, why it was given and especially the person that was kind enough and thoughtful enough to present such a wonderful gift.

Finally, gold: this is one of the most precious metals and has been worshiped and treasured for centuries. The glistening of gold never diminishes; this precious metal does not tarnish and does not need to be polished to keep its luster. It does not corrode or rust. This shine remains true, rich and deep.

100% pure gold is very soft. It does not make good jewelry because it is easy to dent, scratch and bend. Through trial and error, professional goldsmiths have discovered mixing it with different alloys increases its strength and can change its color. Gold can be yellow in color, white or a rosy hue. White gold is usually plated with rhodium, an extremely hard, shiny white metal. Rose gold uses a larger portion of copper to get its beautiful pink color.

Gold is rated by karats; 24 karats is 100% gold. Gold jewelry is made from 18 karats gold which is 75% gold and 14 karats which is 58.3% gold. Most bracelet clasps are made from 14 karat gold; it is stronger and more durable. The craftsmanship of gold jewelry and the weight of the gold determine the value. Unique, intricate works of art are more expensive, more interesting and more valued by the owner.

Overall, heart jewelry, especially a gold heart bracelet, is easy to care for. Chlorine, which is often found in drinking water, and harsh cleaning fluids are not good for gold. Cleaning this precious jewelry is easy, these treasures can be put in a solution of lukewarm water and detergent free soap and washed very gently with a soft bristled brush. The pieces should be stored in the soft cloth bags or original boxes between wearing.

So maybe after all, the meaning of a gold heart bracelet is very simple.  Someone values the person who is wearing this treasure and offers this person their support even when they are far away. The feeling of the bracelet on the wrist is like a tender touch of a caring hand. Romantic or down to earth, the giving of such a trinket is a statement of love and affection from the giver. And the wearer indicates that she is equally receptive to the feelings given.

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!

Understanding what a “charm” bracelet is helps in tracking down its origins and putting a heart charm bracelet into context. A charm is a personalized pendant that signifies an important event, person, or relationship. Generally, charms take the form of what they are representing. Some are obvious with animals, hearts, or names and others hide the true meaning with special symbols. These charms, however, did not originally start on people’s wrists.

In ancient times, charms were worn to signify “higher” beings or processes like pleasing the gods, warding off evil, and gaining entrance into the afterlife. Charms at this time were usually worn as pendants, amulets, and rings. As time went on, eventually these charms changed their meaning and their positioning. The bracelet was born around the middle ages and was worn by nobles and knights to signify rank and family. One of the best know “pioneers” of wearing bracelets was Queen Victoria. She would wear things like silver heart bracelets, not for symbolism, but because she liked the look. Typically, only members of royalty or the extremely wealthy had the money or desire to wear such a decoration, but for a few commoners, these bracelets were “to die for”.

The average Joe on the street saw and adored the charms worn by the upper class men and women of society. This adornment turned led to innovation, as they then fashioned their own jewelry from what they had seen. Out of simple string and beads, they would construct their own bracelets. These rickety poor man’s bracelets helped change the meaning and use of the charm bracelets. After no time at all there were artisans who specialized in constructing these bracelets and beads and this is the origin of today’s bracelets.

Today’s charm bracelets can be used for anything from casual jewelry through to fine pieces fit for formal occasions. Especially among teen girls, these bracelets have been taken to a completely new level of meaning. Friendship heart bracelets come with a heart divided into two halves of a whole. They can be put together to form a full bracelet, or worn in parts to show the connection of friendship. Another favorite type of bracelet that is popular in the same way as a heart bracelet is the initials bracelet, where you can wear your own initials or the initials of a special boyfriend or girlfriend.

These bracelets also make very good gifts for adults as well. Signifying a milestone in ones life, bracelets can mean the world to a person. This truly meets the definition of “It’s the thought that counts”.  Many people will hold dear a little bracelet, over and above anything else in their house, just because of what it means to them. For example, in World War Two, soldiers would bring back charms for their wives to show them where they had been. These bracelets meant the world to the wives, by showing that their husbands not only served their country, but also made it back. For the wife who lost her loved one, a heart charm bracelet would also serve as a reminder of her husband’s sacrifice to keep his family and country safe.

No matter what the size, shape or color, bracelets have a huge emotional impact, and especially a heart charm bracelet. They truly mean the world to people. Thinking about these charms brings our personal world to the center. Everything we hold near and dear to us represented in this small package – memories, people, events, milestones, you name it.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a heart charm bracelet is forever.

First and foremost, has your lady love ever expressed a preference for one shaped ring over another?  Although it may seem to be the ultimate in romantic rings, not all women like the idea of a heart shaped engagement ring.  Some ladies find the design “cheesy” or “tacky” and would much prefer a more traditional diamond shape in their engagement ring.

The most popular shape of diamond is the round brilliant cut as it best optimizes the fire and the brilliance of the diamond. However, there are at least nine other cuts to consider.  A princess cut stone is a favorite shape for engagement rings.  It is usually square and has pointed corners.  Whereas an emerald cut is oblong with rectangular facets.  If you like the emerald cut but would prefer a square shaped diamond then an Asscher-cut diamond is the one you should choose.

Other shapes you may want to consider are oval, marquise, radiant, cushion or pear.  One cautionary note, take a note of the shape of your girlfriend’s fingers as this may help to determine which shape would best suit her hand.  Certain shapes look better than others depending on finger length and chubbiness.  A reputable jeweler will be able to give you information on the differences of all the different cuts and which shape would be best suited for your choice of ring.

Okay, so now you’ve chosen the shape of diamond you want, now you need to think about the color and again you may have a range of choices depending on your budget.  By far the most usual color of stone for an engagement ring is the white diamond but if money is no object and you want to be truly romantic you might try to get a pink diamond.  This is the rarest diamond in the world and the deeper the color the more the cost.  If your wallet won’t stretch that far but you want something different you may want to consider colors such as champagne, pink champagne, blue, yellow or green diamonds.

Nearly there now, all you need to think about now is the setting of the ring and the choice of metal.  Look at what jewelry your intended usually wears and that should give you some indication of whether she prefers gold, white gold or platinum.  And does she already have any other heart jewelry?  You may care to match with that.  When it comes to which setting to pick, ask the jeweler to show you different designs to help you make your decision.  Also make sure that the store has a returns policy in case it turns out not to be the ring of her dreams.

That’s all there is to it!

Bet you thought that you could just walk into the jewelers and look at the heart engagement rings, then pick one pay for it and wait for the right moment to present it! To save yourself a lot of headaches over the right ring to get it is worth doing a bit of homework.  Ask her friends and family if she has said anything specific about the kind of ring she would like and listen carefully for any hints she might drop if the subject comes up.  No matter what ring you choose she will love you for it and always treasure it.

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 cherish it for the rest of her life.

Take a look at some of the many heart pendants that you can choose from in jewelry stores in the mall or on-line to see what I mean.  We’re obviously biased on this web site because our focus is about all kinds of heart jewelry: whether it’s heart charms, heart bracelets or heart earrings we’re great fans.  But there is something extra special about a heart pendant and maybe that’s because it stays the closest to your own heart when you’re wearing it.

I suppose the first special day in every couple’s life is when they celebrate their first Valentines Day together.  Although there are lots of gifts you could choose to shower her with like flowers, chocolates and soft toys, picking out a specially selected heart shaped pendant would really let her know that she has your heart.  Because there are is such a large variety of designs made from many different kinds of precious and semi precious metals finding one that will fit your budget should not be difficult.

What a lovely gift a gold heart pendant would make from the parents of a daughter to their loved one on her wedding day.  It would serve to remind her that although someone else now has her heart she is still in their heart and always will be.  It a real and explicit message that parental love lasts forever.

Another special day that will always live in your memory is that of the birth of your children.  Clearly the days leading up to and immediately after the birth are a whirlwind of emotion and activity, but if the prospective Dad can take some time out to buy a heart pendant for his new arrival, that action will highlight the day even more for the lifetime to come.  Buying a heart locket personalized with date, name and picture of the proud parents and their new addition will be a lasting memento of this happy event.   I particularly like the Sterling Silver Family Heart Locket from Things Remembered (see left) as you can add more photographs as your family grows.

Heart pendants also make the perfect anniversary gift no matter how many years you are celebrating.  Presenting your loved one with a silver or gold heart necklace engraved with a personalized message, on your 25th wedding anniversary or your Golden anniversary, will show her that she’s still loved even though you’ve been together a long time.  It’s a wonderful way to recognize the times you’ve shared throughout the years.

Although heart pendants make a superb gift for a man to give to his loved one on special celebratory days to show how much she means to him, they are suitable for anyone to give as a present to show someone they are loved.  A child giving a heart shaped necklace to Mom on Mother’s Day will show her that she is loved even if she is not told this as often as she would like.  Giving a heart pendant to Grandma, whether she’s 50 or 90, as a birthday present will bring a smile to her face every time she wears it and she will show it off with pride letting everyone know she is loved.

So whatever the occasion to be celebrated or for a “just because” present heart pendants make the ideal gift and tell the recipient they are truly loved.

Ok, heart charms, heart bracelets and heart earrings are beautiful and wearable and special – but let’s be honest, what could be a bigger demonstration of love than the time that your Prince Charming tells you just how much he loves you and then produces a beautiful diamond heart shaped engagement ring? It’s the stuff of fairy tales that every girl dreams of! And how about the “couples” ring that is shown on the left (click on the picture for more details)?

As with fashion, hairstyles and make up, styles change over time and the same can be said for jewelry styles with a few exceptions. For example, heart jewelry in general is one style that has survived no matter what the latest fad, associated as it is with romantic feelings and declarations. But perhaps the most obvious exception to changes in popularity over a long period of time is the solitaire diamond ring which has always been in fashion, not just as an engagement ring but also as a dress ring.  Although there may be changes in the settings and choice of precious metal such as yellow gold, white gold, rose gold and platinum, diamonds still remain the number one choice of most for those getting married.

When my husband and I got engaged in the late sixties, although the largest selection of engagement rings on offer were solitaires or diamond clusters, a very fashionable alternative was to choose a ring with diamonds and other precious stones such as rubies, emeralds and sapphires. In some ways, this very wide choice was confusing because so many of the rings on offer were so wonderful to look at. And just like the times that you go out for a meal at your favorite restaurant and after the main course they bring you the dessert selections – you see the hot fudge sundae, the apple pie and that large slice of cheesecake and you want to try all of them, even though you know you can’t have them – well, that’s how I was when I started to look at engagement rings. (But to digress for a moment: the last time I went out for a meal, the restaurant offered a “dessert selection” with small portions of three different desserts in one serving – so perhaps you can have them all, or three of them at least!).

Anyhow, let’s get back to jewelry and the engagement ring anecdote. I remember going shopping with my girlfriend and stopping to look in the jewelry stores and picking out the engagement rings we wanted. My friend’s choice was for an oval ruby surrounded by diamonds whereas I decided that I wanted a central diamond surrounded by deep blue sapphires in the shape of a flower. Having lost touch with my friend before she got married I don’t know if she got the ring of her dreams but I certainly did and I still wear it every day.

Just writing this reminded me of Princess Diana’s engagement ring which was a large dark blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds. Very similar in design to the one my friend wanted but I am sure far more expensive than either of us would expect.

My husband has bought me lots of beautiful jewelry since we have been together and I treasure every piece. But the one item I would really like to receive is a heart ring to add to the heart jewelry collection which he has bought for me over all of these years to show how much he still loves me. So if your significant other is looking to find something that will last a long time and will be a constant reminder of how much you mean to each other, you might subtly suggest (or maybe not so subtly) a piece of jewelry such as a heart ring.

I especially like to have heart jewelry in my necklace box ready to wear because of its versatility. Whether it’s heart charms, heart bracelets or heart earrings, they all seem to match with a great variety of clothing styles and are suitable for every type of social event. While something like diamond earrings or a pearl necklace can be somewhat formal and may well be too high-class for a quick dash to the Mall or a trip to the local family restaurant, heart shaped jewelry is almost universally appropriate.

But let’s get back to heart pendants in particular (such as the one on the left – click on the picture for more details). The ones I treasure the most are the ones that have been given to me by my husband, family members or friends as each time I wear one of them I am reminded of that special person. Although I tend to wear my heart pendant everyday no matter what I am wearing, I do swap it for one of my other ones depending on the occasion. For instance I have a beautiful silver snowflake pendant that a very dear friend of mine bought for me and I usually wear this at Christmas time. The blue snowflake box that it came in has an inscription inside the lid that reads ” every snowflake is unique it’s true, each one is special just like you”. It brings a smile to my face and reminds me of her every time I open the box.

When I worked with children I liked to wear fun jewelry. I am a big fan of A. A. Milne’s “Winnie The Pooh Stories” and so I love the fact that you can get pendants with all the different characters on them, my personal favorite is Eyore. But there are lots of other fun pendants to choose from. The same friend who bought me the snowflake pendant has lots of different “themed” sets of jewelry such as one set with a holiday motif consisting of a flip flop pendant, flip flop ring and flip flop bracelet. They look great with shorts and tops or even with swimwear.

Pendants are a very versatile item of jewelry and can dress up any outfit. I find them especially good for taking away that bare neck look of a “v” or scoop necked top or dress. For formal occasions matching items of jewelry will really set your outfit off. I like to wear my white gold heart pendant with my white gold heart earrings as they go with any color but look especially good when wearing black. Who knows, the next item of jewelry my husband buys for me may well be a heart ring to complete my set.

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.