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Zelda Fitzgerald was quoted as saying, “Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much the human heart can hold.” It’s a beautiful quote. However, in a different creative medium — jewelry — designers have used hearts in an array of styles and motifs to convey multiple meanings throughout history.

If we look back to Georgian and Victorian jewelry, hearts reflected specific sentiments and were rendered in a variety of shapes, from double-bowed hearts signifying “two hearts together as one” to the earlier witch’s heart, which first protected babies from evil and then went on to represent “bewitching a lover.” There were also crowned hearts for “love triumphant” and winged versions suggesting “protector of my heart,” to name just a few.

Over the past few years, hearts have become one of the most popular motifs. Even women who weren’t fans have been wooed by designers revamping and rejuvenating hearts in styles that include feminine, bold, daring, edgy and chic.

by beth bernstein

Locked in Love Heart Loquet

Loquet London Baguette Amor Locket in 14K yellow gold and diamonds.

$8,000

loquetlondon.com

Textural Heart

Svetlana Lazar 18K gold Swaying Hearts Earrings with dangling consecutive heartlets carved with light-catching “Dragon Scale” texture, set with diamonds and blue-lilac sapphires.

$6,490

svetlanalazar.com

Ornate Heart

Marlo Laz 14K yellow gold Mini Southwestern Heart earrings with diamonds.

$2,400

marlolaz.com

Gemstone Heart

Eden Presley 14K yellow gold, black opal and emerald gemstone heart.

$3,600

edenpresley.com

Heart of Gold

Christina Alexiou 18K gold Coin Heart ring with white diamonds.

$4,115

christinaalexiou.com

Passion Heart

Cadar 14K gold and ruby heart earrings.

$4,900

cadar.com

Lacy Heart

Chandally 18K gold and diamond filagree Plume Heart.

$3,400

chandally.com

Sentimental Heart

Erica Molinari ruched detailed pave center heart pendant with the saying in Italian, “You are always with me.”

$4,060

ericamolinari.com

Cupid Heart

Robinson Pelham 14K gold Stud Club Cupid Heart set with diamonds (sold individually).

$465 each

robinsonpelham.com

Love Heart

Heavenly Vices Lovebirds Pendant featuring a silver coin (estimated to be 19th century U.S. quarter) engraved with two lovebirds over a heart inside a heart shaped wreath, set in a 14k yellow gold and diamond bezel.

$2,850

heavenlyvices.com

Lucky Heart

Gigi Clozeau 18K gold Mini Gigi Lucky Heart necklace with emeralds and pearls.

$450

gigiclozeau.com

Puffed Heart

Serpentine Jewels Puffy Heart Diamond Pendant with heart-shaped diamond center diamond pavé, set in 18k yellow gold.

$30,000

serpentinejewels.com

Transformable Heart

Robinson Pelham 18K yellow Identity diamond heart, $11,690 on 9K chain.

(Both sold separately) $10,250

robinsonpelham.com

Infinity Heart

Effy Jewelry 14K rose gold and diamond ring.

$2,450 

effyjewelry.com

Valentine’s Day Jewelry: 14 Heart Designs for Feb. 14

Valentine’s Day Jewelry: 14 Heart Designs for Feb. 14

Zelda Fitzgerald was quoted as saying, “Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much the human heart can hold.” It’s a beautiful quote. However, in a different creative medium — jewelry — designers have used hearts in an array of styles and motifs to convey multiple meanings throughout history.

If we look back to Georgian and Victorian jewelry, hearts reflected specific sentiments and were rendered in a variety of shapes, from double-bowed hearts signifying “two hearts together as one” to the earlier witch’s heart, which first protected babies from evil and then went on to represent “bewitching a lover.” There were also crowned hearts for “love triumphant” and winged versions suggesting “protector of my heart,” to name just a few.

Over the past few years, hearts have become one of the most popular motifs. Even women who weren’t fans have been wooed by designers revamping and rejuvenating hearts in styles that include feminine, bold, daring, edgy and chic.

by beth bernstein