Colour of Passion: Red jewels for Valentine’s Day

February 8, 2018

11 min read

Valentine’s Day has become one of the most celebrated days in the fine jewellery calendar, as it is dedicated to love and romance it creates the perfect opportunity for jewellery gift giving.

The history of St. Valentine is one which has many possible origins, attributed to tales of various saints and holy figures. The only certainty is that the legend which the name bears was created during the ages of romantic and religious enlightenment – when acts of human kindliness, love and empathy were seen as having a spiritual connection.

The deep red colour which we all associate with this international holiday hails from the colour of the anatomical heart, and has eventually become as intertwined with the notion of Valentine’s Day as the heart symbol which we recognise universally today. If you look for a jewelled gift with a touch of red, there will be many options awaiting you, from jewels with sparkling red gemstones to pieces embellished with scarlet enamel.

Maison Tabbah heart shaped ruby ring with baguette cut diamonds

Rubies have been referred to as ‘King of Gems’ across centuries, cultures and religions, and are certainly the most famous and sought after red gemstones. However, the spectrum of red hued ‘rocks’ available in fine jewellery doesn’t end there – and includes deep red rhodolite garnets, rich red rubellites, bright red spinels and even extremely rare fiery red Bixbite (red beryl).

Especially for Valentine’s Day, I have selected a number of fine jewellery pieces as well as watches with dominant red colour fused into creative design. These are the examples of how fine jewellery houses all over the world show their adoration and love for the colour of passion.

Glenn Spiro

Glenn Spiro ‘Reveal’ watch in diamonds and rubies

Boghossian

Boghossian les Mervielles ruby and diamond ring

Faidee

Faidee ring with pigeon blood Burmese rubies and diamonds

Mappin and Webb

Mappin&Webb Carrington drop earrings in 18k white gold with 1.30ct rubies and 0.30ct diamonds

Chopard

Chopard ‘Precious Chopard’ collection earrings in pear cut rubies and brilliant cut diamonds

Amrapali

Amrapali ruby and diamond earrings

Tayma

Tayma earrings in 18k white gold with rubellites and diamonds

Lydia Courteille

Lydia Courteille Scarlet Empress ring set in red rhodium with spinels and rubies

Feng J

Feng J floral Fairy ring in 4.5ct Burmese Pigeon blood ruby, with detachable rock crystal and 11.23ct ruby flower, and 2.43ct diamonds

Stenzhorn

Stenzhorn ‘Rose Red’ invisible set ruby and diamond necklace

Ara Vartanian

Ara Vartanian ruby and diamond drop earrings

Picchiotti

Picchiotti special edition 50th anniversary 8.05ct ruby and diamond ring

Shaun Leane

Shaun Leane ‘Aurora’ ruby and rhodolite ring in 18k white gold

Gübelin

Gübelin ring from the Mystical Garden collection with an oval ruby and diamonds

Avakian

Avakian ‘First Love’ diamond and carnelian ring

Caratell

Caratell ‘Firework’ collection red beryl, green garnet and diamond drop earrings

Marisa Perry Atelier

Marisa Perry Atelier Art Deco style 12.13ct ruby and 4.02ct diamond drop earrings

Tiffany & Co.

Tiffany & Co. ruby and diamond necklace

Tessa Packard

Tessa Packard ‘Puzzle’ rhodolite garnet earrings from ‘Emperor’s New Clothes’ collection in 18k gold vermeil

Dior

Dior ‘Grand Bal Fête du Printemps’ watch in steel, yellow gold, diamonds, rubies and mother-of-pearl dial

Chaumet

Chaumet ‘Aria Passionata’ ring in rhodolite garnets and red tourmalines with diamonds

Lorenz Baumer

Lorenz Baumer ‘Cardinale’ ring with 38.49ct rubellite, pink sapphires, orange sapphires, peridots, aquamarines and Paraiba tourmalines

Philippe Pfeiffer

Philippe Pfeiffer ring with 17.35ct rubellite, set in red gold and 114 brilliant cut 2.27ct diamonds

Erica Courtney

Erica Courtney ‘Jennifer’ Mahenge spinel and diamond necklace, with central 3.6ct spinel and further 11.62ct spinels accenting diamond chain

Van Cleef & Arpels

Van Cleef & Arpels Secrets Amoreaux brooch with ruby, pink and purple sapphires, with yellow and colourless diamonds

Fei Liu

Fei Liu ‘Gothic’ necklace with pear-cut rubellites in 18k rose gold, set with pavé pink sapphires and white diamonds

Boucheron

Boucheron ‘Serpent Boheme’ Toi et Moi ring in rhodolite and pink gold

Nirav Modi

Nirav Modi ‘Ruby Wheel’ necklace with rubies and diamonds

Fabergé

Fabergé cufflinks with red enamel and rubies set in rose gold

Pomellato

Gold Pomellato earrings from Victoria collection

Jacob&Co

Jacob&Co Tourbillon with mystery set rubies

WORDS

Katerina Perez is a jewellery insider, journalist and brand consultant with more than 15 years’ experience in the jewellery sector. Paris-based, Katerina has worked as a freelance journalist and content editor since 2011, writing articles for international publications. To share her jewellery knowledge and expertise, Katerina founded this website and launched her @katerina_perez Instagram in 2013.

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