Hearts. They’re sweet and girly, sure. But they haven’t been cool in eons—perhaps not since the late 1990s, when the silver hearts of Tiffany & Co.’s Return to Tiffany collection ruled the world.
Yet suddenly, love’s official symbol is showing up prominently in some of jewelry’s most stylish collections, including Brent Neale, Lizzie Fortunato, Retrouvaí, and Carolina Bucci.
Added to that is the resurgence of heart-shape jewelry on the red carpet, as seen on Charlize Theron and Jennifer Lawrence, among others. And fashion influencers are all over the trend. Man Repeller’s Leandra Medine Cohen, for one, has an ongoing love affair with heart-inclusive jewelry.
When it comes to hearts, we may be looking at a major wave that’s just beginning to crest. And it’s not anywhere near Valentine’s Day.
A historic heart: the Paul Flato–designed Millicent Rogers Heart brooch for Verdura (courtesy of Christie’s)
Of course, the occasional heart has always popped up in collections. The shape can relay an ironic, campy-1950s vibe that can be very cute, and certain designers (Alison Lou and Solange Azagury-Partridge come to mind) rotate them in and out.
But we knew something was really happening with hearts when jewelry designer Irene Neuwirth, the woman behind so many major red carpet pieces in recent years (including Tracee Ellis Ross’ earrings at the 2018 Oscars and Ruth Negga’s epic ruby tiara at the 2017 Oscars), launched a collection called Love in late 2017 that uses opals cut into hearts that comprise earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings.
She’s been releasing new heart-shape pieces all year on a slow drip and personally dons a small collection of heart-motif gemstone necklaces, as captured on Instagram.
What’s fun about this trend is that the hearts are generally being used in ways that make them feel fresh and earnest, not jaded or ironic. And they’re arriving just in time—the world could use a little more love (and chic reminders of it) right now.
Check out these recent Instagram posts from fine fashion jewelry brands that have fallen hard for the lovey-dovey shape.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdQLpKEjGlS/?hl=en&taken-by=carolina_bucci
Image via: @carolina_bucci
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhWWwffHVCv/?hl=en&taken-by=brentnealejewelry
Image via: @brentnealejewelry
https://www.instagram.com/p/Be5SheZHBOe/?hl=en&taken-by=brentnealejewelry
Image via: @brentnealejewelry
Image via: @retrouvai
Image via: @retrouvai
Image via: @ireneneuwirth
Image via: @ireneneuwirth
Image via: @khaikhaijewelry
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg9fvdyFizp/?hl=en&taken-by=lfjewels
Image via: @lfjewels
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgW5sL5lcFT/?hl=en&taken-by=lfjewels
Image via: @lfjewels
Image via: @edie_parker
Top: A heart by Brent Neale (image via: @brentnealejewelry)
Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazineFollow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine
