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Colour of Passion: Red jewels for Valentine’s Day
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 •
Glenn Spiro 'Reveal' watch in diamonds and rubies
Boghossian •
Boghossian •
Boghossian les Mervielles ruby and diamond ring
Faidee •
Faidee •
Faidee ring with pigeon blood Burmese rubies and diamonds
Mappin and Webb •
Mappin and Webb •
Mappin&Webb Carrington drop earrings in 18k white gold with 1.30ct rubies and 0.30ct diamonds
Chopard •
Chopard •
Chopard 'Precious Chopard' collection earrings in pear cut rubies and brilliant cut diamonds
Amrapali •
Amrapali •
Amrapali ruby and diamond earrings
Tayma •
Tayma •
Tayma earrings in 18k white gold with rubellites and diamonds
Lydia Courteille •
Lydia Courteille •
Lydia Courteille Scarlet Empress ring set in red rhodium with spinels and rubies
Feng J •
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 •
Stenzhorn 'Rose Red' invisible set ruby and diamond necklace
Ara Vartanian •
Ara Vartanian •
Ara Vartanian ruby and diamond drop earrings
Picchiotti •
Picchiotti •
Picchiotti special edition 50th anniversary 8.05ct ruby and diamond ring
Shaun Leane •
Shaun Leane •
Shaun Leane 'Aurora' ruby and rhodolite ring in 18k white gold
Gübelin •
Gübelin •
Gübelin ring from the Mystical Garden collection with an oval ruby and diamonds
Avakian •
Avakian •
Avakian 'First Love' diamond and carnelian ring
Caratell •
Caratell •
Caratell 'Firework' collection red beryl, green garnet and diamond drop earrings
Marisa Perry Atelier •
Marisa Perry Atelier •
Marisa Perry Atelier Art Deco style 12.13ct ruby and 4.02ct diamond drop earrings
Tiffany & Co. •
Tiffany & Co. •
Tiffany & Co. ruby and diamond necklace
Tessa Packard •
Tessa Packard •
Tessa Packard 'Puzzle' rhodolite garnet earrings from 'Emperor's New Clothes' collection in 18k gold vermeil
Dior •
Dior •
Dior 'Grand Bal Fête du Printemps' watch in steel, yellow gold, diamonds, rubies and mother-of-pearl dial
Chaumet •
Chaumet •
Chaumet 'Aria Passionata' ring in rhodolite garnets and red tourmalines with diamonds
Lorenz Baumer •
Lorenz Baumer •
Lorenz Baumer 'Cardinale' ring with 38.49ct rubellite, pink sapphires, orange sapphires, peridots, aquamarines and Paraiba tourmalines
Philippe Pfeiffer •
Philippe Pfeiffer •
Philippe Pfeiffer ring with 17.35ct rubellite, set in red gold and 114 brilliant cut 2.27ct diamonds
Erica Courtney •
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 •
Van Cleef & Arpels Secrets Amoreaux brooch with ruby, pink and purple sapphires, with yellow and colourless diamonds
Fei Liu •
Fei Liu •
Fei Liu 'Gothic' necklace with pear-cut rubellites in 18k rose gold, set with pavé pink sapphires and white diamonds
Boucheron •
Boucheron •
Boucheron 'Serpent Boheme' Toi et Moi ring in rhodolite and pink gold
Nirav Modi •
Nirav Modi •
Nirav Modi 'Ruby Wheel' necklace with rubies and diamonds
Fabergé •
Fabergé •
Fabergé cufflinks with red enamel and rubies set in rose gold
Pomellato •
Pomellato •
Gold Pomellato earrings from Victoria collection
Jacob&Co •
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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