Jewelry

Heart-Shaped Highlights From Las Vegas Jewelry Week - Forbes

During last month’s Las Vegas Jewelry Week, hearts was one of the most popular motifs among independent jewelry designers at The Couture Show and Premier Show.

Throughout history, different heart motifs have symbolized a range of meanings which spoke to different phases of love including friendship, eternal devotion, romance and passion. If we look back at the motifs from Georgian and Victorian jewelry, hearts reflected more specific sentiments and were rendered in a variety of shaped from double bowed hearts signifying ‘two hearts together as one’ to the earlier witches heart which first protected babies from evil and then went on to represent 'bewitching a lover.'  to crowned hearts for “love triumphant’ and winged versions which suggested ‘protector of my heart' to name just a few.

All through the 20^th century, we saw hearts return as charms, medallions to wear as pendants on necklaces and bracelets which spoke to and celebrated affection that ranged from first love to engagements, marriage, anniversaries and births of children.

But somewhere between mid 2oth century and 21-century, hearts began to get a mixed rep.  There were two camps—women who would always find hearts a romantic gesture and a wearable design, particularly those with inspirations of the past due to creations that were heartfelt in their execution and affinity for the motif. But there were also styles that were inexpensive and unimaginative, kitschy and sugary sweet versions that were nothing like the motifs that could win our hearts again.

But over the past several years designers have been revamping hearts in styles that range from feminine yet bold to daring, edgy and devoted to new creativity.

Here we see some of the best of those versions from Las Vegas Jewelry Week:

Arman Sarkisyan’s 22K, sterling silver dove and ruby heart locket, accented with diamonds.

Thereza Kaz’s Heart Burst Necklace in 18K gold pink opal, pink sapphire, pink tourmaline, iolite, amethyst, raspberry rhodolite garnet and diamonds.

 M. Spalten’ Larimar opal and diamond 18K gold heart necklace.

Foundrae’s gold star punctuates the center of our large Heart Love Token. Block letters and can represent a monogram, or each initial can represent a different person united by a shared last name. The large heart love token celebrates the seven classic types of love as defined thousands of years ago:

Retrouvai’s pink opal and tourmaline Lollipop heart bracelet in 14k yellow gold.

Brent Neale’s 18K yellow gold carved amethyst with pink sapphire inset heart ring.

 Acanthus' 14K star topped moonstone heart ring.

Sorellina’s pink sapphire heart and dagger motif necklace set into turquoise.

Carolina Bucci’s 18K gold rainbow heart pendant.

 Christina Alexiou's 18K gold heart bracelet with heart link chain

Christina Alexiou's multi-color baguette and heart-shaped pendant

Lito's 18K gold diamond and heart bracelet

Nouvel Heritage Mystic 18K gold and diamond  love ring

The  “Have A Heart” necklace, curated by Lizzie Tish in collaboration with Muse showroom, which features custom and limited edition hearts by a group of 20 talented designers to benefit City Meals on Wheels which helps feed New York City’s homebound elderly.