Valentine’s Day has long been synonymous with the gifting of jewellery. No matter your style, jewellery has roots in being a symbol of love, lasting beyond flowers and chocolates.
Opting for a vintage Valentines gift is especially sentimental. Each piece has lived a life before, carrying its own story and craftsmanship that cannot be replicated.
If you’re looking to gift something truly one-of-a-kind, welcome to our antique Valentine’s Day jewellery gift guide, where we’ll be breaking down ideas and recommendations for your loved one.
A Brief History of Valentine’s Gifting
Jewellery has been entwined with romance for centuries, and Valentine’s Day gifting became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.
During the Georgian and Victorian eras, jewellery held deep meaning. Hearts, lovers’ knots and lockets were exchanged, sometimes containing hair (otherwise seen in mourning jewellery), miniature portraits or inscriptions only known to the wearer. In the Edwardian period, expressions of love were more about elegance, through delicate diamond pendants and rings.
By the time it got to the Art Deco era, romantic jewellery had bolder geometric patterns, colourful and rich gemstones, and unique designs to match the stylish nature of the time.
Designs to Look For: Romantic Gift Ideas
Some antique pieces feature more romantic elements than others, like small symbols or motifs that communicate adoration. Gifting jewellery with these elements will differentiate your gift from any other occasion, holding a special meaning to your partner.
Heart-shaped designs are the most explicit form of love seen in jewellery. These come up in all areas, from heart-shaped pendants to earrings and even rings. We recommend using the search function at the top of our website to find heart-shaped pieces and then use the filter options to see different product types and eras.
Vintage lockets hold a special place in romantic gifting. Designed to sit close to the heart, they were created to carry photographs, keepsakes, or written sentiments. When gifting your antique locket, why not include a small picture of you and your partner, or written words to keep the present especially personalised. For a fully-rounded gift, add a vintage chain to the locket, so your loved one can begin wearing the locket instantly.
Vintage rings have long been exchanged as symbols of commitment and love. Think about engagement rings, wedding bands and eternity rings, which are worn daily as a symbol of commitment and love. Even if you’re not marking a milestone this Valentine’s Day, options like gemstone rings and signet-style designs would make a fantastic addition to your partner’s everyday ring stack. Gemstones for Valentine’s: Birthstones & Stones of Love
Going by design isn’t the only way to keep your gift personalised and romantic. In fact, choosing a select gemstone based on either its meaning or association with your partner’s birth month says, ‘I know you’, without saying anything at all.
Birthstone jewellery is a wonderful place to start, simply find your recipient’s month in our guide, and search for pieces using that stone. We stock pieces that use a range of stones, from the pearls of June to the sapphires of September.
If you don’t think your loved one’s birthstone is an exact match to their personal taste, then there are certain stones intrinsically linked to love and passion.
Rubies are an excellent choice for Valentine's Day Gifting, as they’ve historically symbolised devotion, and have a gorgeous red hue. Often found in antique ruby rings, rubies were believed to protect the heart and strengthen an emotional bond. Whether you’re celebrating a 40th anniversary (the gemstone of this decade) or just want a piece with romance written all over it, rubies are a timeless and thoughtful gift.
Garnets also have a connection to romance and were especially popular in Victorian vintage jewellery. Their deep crimson tones were associated with affection and protection, making it a particularly intimate choice.
Choosing Romantic Pieces with Lancastrian Jewellers
The most meaningful Valentine’s gifts are chosen with thought and care. Think about their style, do they prefer delicate, understated designs or bold statement pieces? Eras can also guide your choice: Victorian pieces are rich with romanticism, Edwardian designs are refined and graceful, while Art Deco suits confident, bold personalities.
If you’re selecting a vintage Valentine’s gift this year, please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions about the pieces on our site.
