Exceptional Jewels to Celebrate Love This Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day may inspire romantic gestures, but it’s also an apt time to indulge in something a bit more reliable than undying affection: craftsmanship. Whether coupled, complicated, or blissfully independent, a fine timepiece or fabulous bauble is always a welcome wardrobe addition, with effects that last longer than any bouquet. Our array of captivating pieces quietly channels the sentiment of the season; savvy investments in personal style guaranteed to outlast any holiday hype.

1. Verdura Cupid’s Arrow Pendant Necklace

Verdura is not a name one would normally associate with diminutive pieces—the heritage brand’s aesthetic tends to the big, bold, and heavily encrusted. But how nice to be surprised! Their Cupid’s Arrow pendant necklace features a diamond arrow cascading towards a suspended heart with just a sliver of diamond embellishment. It’s a modern design with multi-generational appeal.

2. Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31

Not everyone is enamored with heart motifs, be it Valentine’s Day or any other. But perhaps they’d embrace the color of the season in the form of a fetching new Rolex? This Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 debuted last year, the latest in a long lineage of an iconic design. Crafted from 18k yellow gold, it features a red ombre dial with a diamond at (almost) each hour, as well as set around the case. It also boasts a President-style bracelet, a design that debuted along with the Oyster Perpetual in 1956. Also available in white gold.

3. Pomellato Nudo Collection Necklace

The star of Pomellato’s Nudo collection necklace is a 10.5-carat cushion-cut Rubellite, which is not only the rarest gem in the tourmaline family but, in a Valentine’s version of IYKYK, a stone thought to attract love and promote inner peace. The magical stone is suspended from an 18k rose gold chain with 2.55 carats of strategically placed diamond accents.

4. Harry Winston Double Wrap Emerald Collection Watch

A double wrap Emerald Collection watch from Harry Winston, the legendary “King of Diamonds,” is akin to a love letter for the wrist. There are 108 brilliant-cut diamonds set in this 18k white gold stunner, which features rubies at 12, 3, 6, and 9 and a red satin band. As for the name, emerald was Mr. Winston’s favorite diamond cut, which in this case refers to the overall shape of the watch, not the cut of the stones used (although there is one emerald cut ruby, given a prominent position at the top of the dial).

5. Brent Neale Artemis Coil Ring

When others were studying French or Spanish in school, jewelry designer Brent Neale opted for ancient Greek. It was in those age-old texts that she was introduced to Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. Neale has said that the arrows the deity carried are “a strong symbol…that I wanted to honor.” Hence the Artemis coil ring, with an 18k yellow gold diamond-set arrow and heart-shaped ruby. One would be forgiven for assuming a “wrapped around your finger” message, but Neale’s original intention imbues it with deeper meaning.

6. Cartier Baignoire Watch

Cartier revived its iconic Baignoire watch three years ago, reintroducing the 1912 oval “bathtub” design in a bangle-style timepiece, which quickly sold out. The latest addition to the Baignoire family bathes the wrist in 286 brilliant-cut diamonds (over 3.5 carats) set in 18k rose gold, with a red alligator leather strap.

7. Van Cleef & Arpels Frivole Ring

Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Frivole” collection is defined by ultra-light, mirror-polished gold flowers with heart-shaped petals that catch and reflect light. Each of the eight flowers in this beautiful bouquet features three or more rose or yellow gold petals, slightly cupped or angled to give a sense of movement around a single center stone (in this case, rubies or emeralds).

8. Tiffany & Co. Eternity Watch

Tiffany & Co.’s Eternity watch is offered in as many variations as there are emotions: round or cushion shapes, pearl, onyx or Tiffany blue dial faces, white gold, rose gold, it goes on. What remains consistent is the plethora of diamonds demonstrating the range of Tiffany’s cuts: round brilliant, baguette, cushion, Tiffany True, marquise, Asscher, pear, oval, emerald, triangle and princess, with a six-prong engagement ring–inspired setting at the crown. This 18k white gold model with pearl face, however, is the only style with a sweet, heart-shaped rubellite at the 12.

9. Kismet by Milka Cherish Ring

Kismet by Milka is a Turkish brand not well-known in the U.S., but its creations have been sported by the likes of Bella Hadid, Madonna, and Sarah Jessica Parker. Last year, they even launched a buzzy ad campaign featuring none other than Kate Moss. “Kismet” means “fate” in Turkish, so one could argue that the brand’s Cherish ring, with a wonderfully edgy take on a polarizing shape, is simply destined for their finger. It features various cuts of rubies set in the brand’s proprietary Roslow gold.

10. Bulgari Serpenti Seduttori

Serpents may be one of the most misunderstood species in the animal world in terms of symbolism. While largely associated with a story of temptation, in many cultures serpents and their imagery are considered a talisman for luck, eternal love, and transformation. All are valid reasons to consider incorporating the Serpenti Seduttori into one’s adornment rotation. After all, nobody does serpents quite like Bulgari. The Serpenti Seduttori is a new addition, with a ruby red guilloché dial, bezel set with brilliant-cut diamonds, a crown set with a pink rubellite, and a flexible bracelet featuring the brand’s signature snake scale pattern.

11. Reza Chose Ring

Reza’s Chose ring is the jewelry embodiment of proclaiming love with an exceedingly grand gesture. Two heart-shaped diamonds, weighing in at over 9 carats total, are positioned in a toi et moi (“you and me”) white gold setting. It demands to be noticed, admired from all angles to take in the additional 14 diamonds subtly set in the shank, and elicit envy—in the best way possible, of course.