Valentine’s Day is a very good excuse to invest in jewelry. Whether you’re in love, out with your girlfriends, or fully committed to yourself this year, it’s the one holiday that openly encourages indulgence. As a fashion editor, I’ve always said jewelry should be treated like keepsakes, little treasures—things you hold onto long after the roses are gone. And as someone surrounded by the sparkliest, prettiest, newest options on the market every day, what stands out right now is the the range—from saturated, playful gemstones to considered engagement rings, necklaces that hold their own, and classic pearls. These are the kinds of pieces you might gift, suggest, or simply treat yourself to now, yet will still feel right long after February 14.
Chromatic Cocktail Gems
Cocktail jewelry is where the fun is, the place where boisterous gemstones and color are invited. These aren’t just red carpet pieces; they’re the kind you actually want to put on and take out into the world. Take a youthful approach with candy-like gemstones—emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and tourmalines—that are as wearable as they are bold.
Romantic Rings
Engagement rings, the ultimate romantic gesture, have their own trend cycles, of course. Right now, east-west diamond settings and marquise cuts are on the rise, and designers like Jade Trau lean into the thirst for unexpected shapes while keeping it modern and current. While Jacquie Aiche—who also happens to be the jeweler behind Miley Cyrus’s recently hard-launched engagement ring—does the same, reminding us that gold should feel substantial.
Statement Strands
Then there are necklaces. A tennis or rivière necklace is the kind of piece you don’t really need to overthink: You put it on and that’s the look. Diamonds are always a safe bet, but sometimes it’s fun to take a little inspiration from the boldest designs. Take this one, for example: a woven, lace-like masterpiece by Dior Joaillerie, crafted by the renowned Victoire de Castellane, whose inventive pieces have made her a favorite of collectors and tastemakers alike. Even if this exact piece is more aspirational, it’s the kind of artistry that shows what a necklace can really do.
Enduring Pearls
Pearl jewelry always offers a touch of softness—airy, buoyant, and opulent, in creamy whites, blush tones, deep-midnight hues. Organic and Akoya pearls bring texture and dimension, varying in form, color, and cost. Pearls might feel of the moment, but they’ll always remain a signature and make for the perfect Valentine’s Day aphrodisiac.
(Title image) Necklace Graff High Jewelry, bra Calvin Klein Collection.
Styled by Jessica Neises.
Jessica (aka Jess) is a Senior Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan, working across both fashion market and styling for print stories, as well as digital fashion and commerce coverage. Prior to joining Cosmo, she worked in fashion at Vanity Fair. Jess lives in New York City and loves spotlighting emerging designers you might not have heard of yet—while also being an unabashedly devoted Love Island fan (dating back to Season 1 of Love Island UK, that’s how serious). See more of her work here, and follow her on Instagram if you love her.
