Happy Jewels: Joyful Designs to Make You Smile

March 31, 2023

By Livia Primo Lack

8 min read

The smiley face is perhaps everyone’s favourite emoji. Being able to translate this universal symbol of uplifting optimism, humour and joy into precious jewellery form is certainly good for the soul! Let’s look at some whimsical smiley face jewellery designs and discover how a multitude of designers have transformed a toothy grin into something we all want to wear at any time of year.

Whether you’re reacting to a social media post with big heart eyes or a slew of happy face emojis, these emoticons have become part of our everyday language. But if there’s one we collectively use the most, it has to be the cheery smiling face. With April Fools’ Day (1st April) just around the corner, now’s the ideal time to explore pieces guaranteed to keep you grinning from ear to ear.

Sydney Evan smiley face jewels in gold, coloured gemstones and diamonds

Sydney Evan smiley face jewels in gold, coloured gemstones and diamonds

There are a few different takes on smiley face jewels. The first is the most obvious – the classic approach. That famous circle with two eyes and an upwards-curved mouth is one that many designers have included in their fine jewellery pieces to add an air of eccentricity to their collections. The designers behind Italian fashion and fine jewellery brand EERA have created a series of stand-out smiley face pieces. From large ear studs to statement rings, these bold unisex creations are easy to wear with every look.

Model wearing EERA rings in white gold, rhodium and diamond

Model wearing EERA rings in white gold, rhodium and diamond

 EERA ring in white gold, rhodium and diamond

EERA ring in white gold, rhodium and diamond

 Model wearing EERA earrings in white gold, rhodium and diamond

Model wearing EERA earrings in white gold, rhodium and diamond

 Male model wearing EERA Smiley Face earring in white gold and diamond

Male model wearing EERA Smiley Face earring in white gold and diamond

 EERA ring in gold and diamond

EERA ring in gold and diamond

 EERA ring in gold

EERA ring in gold

 EERA Smiley and Star rings in white gold and diamond

EERA Smiley and Star rings in white gold and diamond

 EERA Heart and Smiley rings in gold, rhodium and diamond

EERA Heart and Smiley rings in gold, rhodium and diamond

 EERA Smiley Face pendant in gold and rhodium

EERA Smiley Face pendant in gold and rhodium

Next, we have designers who have taken a funkier approach when including smiley faces in their designs. A perfect example is Italian jeweller Francesca Villa’s take on smiling wrestling masks. Inspired by her son’s fascination with the wild world of wrestling, Villa decided to take his passion for the sport and turn it into a colourful collection of statement rings. Each ring takes inspiration from Japanese and Mexican pro wrestling masks, studded with precious coloured gemstones and diamonds set into white or yellow gold, with a touch of enamel here and there.

Francesca Villa Mankind Wrestler Mask ring in rose gold, enamel, sapphire and ruby

Francesca Villa Mankind Wrestler Mask ring in rose gold, enamel, sapphire and ruby

 Francesca Villa Mankind Wrestler Mask ring in gold, inamel and ruby

Francesca Villa Mankind Wrestler Mask ring in gold, inamel and ruby

Of course, we can’t forget to mention watches when discussing the use of the iconic emoji. Big brands such as Hublot and Chanel have created timepieces in homage to the happy face with their unique stylistic imprint. Hublot’s recent collaboration with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami brings to life his iconic Kawaii world in the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Sapphire Rainbow. The dial of this timepiece is set with 487 stones representing the colours of the rainbow: rubies, pink sapphires, amethysts, blue sapphires, tsavorites, and yellow and orange sapphires. All the gemstones are combined to recreate one of the artist’s iconic floral smiley faces.

Hublot Takashi Murakami Sapphire Rainbow Classic Fusion watch

Hublot Takashi Murakami Sapphire Rainbow Classic Fusion watch

 The Hublot Takashi Murakami Sapphire Rainbow Classic Fusion watch features 487 gems, including rubies, pink sapphires, amethysts, blue sapphires, tsavorites and yellow and orange sapphires

The Hublot Takashi Murakami Sapphire Rainbow Classic Fusion watch features 487 gems, including rubies, pink sapphires, amethysts, blue sapphires, tsavorites and yellow and orange sapphires

 Artist Takashi Murakami posing along side his artwork

Artist Takashi Murakami posing along side his artwork

Chanel’s horological take on the smiley face is slightly more futuristic. The Robot Premiere watch highlights a dial with the body of a sweet little robot with wide diamond eyes and dainty onyx and yellow gold arms. It might not be a true smiley face per se, but it sure brings a smile to our faces!

Chanel Robot Premier watch in gold and diamond details

Chanel Robot Premier watch in gold and diamond details

We are seeing this classic image being reinvented and redesigned in all different sorts of ways, incorporating a varied array of gems and metals to fit the varied aesthetics of fine jewellery and watch designers. So we hope that this April Fools’ Day, you will all beam, smile and grin as wide as these pieces do.

Chopard

Chopard

Happy Clown necklace in white gold and diamond

HotLips by Solange

HotLips by Solange

Ring in sterling silver and enamel

Lauren Rubinski

Lauren Rubinski

Necklace in gold

Luisa Alexander

Luisa Alexander

Pendant in gold and diamond

Alison Lou

Alison Lou

Hoop earring in gold, enamel and diamond

Rosa De La Cruz

Rosa De La Cruz

Bracelet in gold

Nancy Newberg

Nancy Newberg

Necklace in gold, enamel and diamond

Roxanne First

Roxanne First

Rainbow Sapphire Smiley signet ring in gold, sapphire and diamond

LeVian

LeVian

Ring in gold, enamel and diamond

Carolina Bucci

Carolina Bucci

Lucky bracelet with Happiness charm in gold

Tiffany & Co.

Tiffany & Co.

Paloma's Graffiti Smile pendant in rose gold

Sydney Evan

Sydney Evan

Necklace in gold and diamond

Wilfred Rosado

Wilfred Rosado

Necklaces in gold and a painted pearl

Crystal Haze Jewelry

Crystal Haze Jewelry

Smile pendant in gold and diamond

Chris Ploof

Chris Ploof

Cufflinks in rhodium

Messika

Messika

My Move Smiley 50th Anniversary bracelet in rose gold and diamond on a leather strap

Annoushka

Annoushka

Pendant in gold and precious gemstones

Anthony Lent

Anthony Lent

Ring in gold, white gold and diamond

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