Happy Valentine’s Day! For our annual feature in honor of this holiday made for love, we asked some of our favorite PR powerhouses to share the jewels they adore most.
This year, we offer a slight twist—all pieces have to be red. Not only is red the color of Valentine’s Day, it’s also experiencing a burst of popularity lately, dominating celebrity events, runways, and Super Bowls.
Here’s what these in-the-know industry gems are dreaming of this Valentine’s Day.
Lauren Maxwell, Lauren Maxwell Public Relations
“Valentine’s Day has meant many things to me over the years. This year I’ll be celebrating it with two people who have my unconditional love all year round: my mother and sister. Red has been having a moment of late, especially on the red carpet, and signals resilience and strength, which is exactly what I want the three of us to celebrate. As always, I look to jewelry to commemorate special occasions such as this. Though I don’t need to wait for a special occasion to self-purchase, Valentine’s Day feels like the right time to dive into deep red gemstone jewelry.
“I’m really drawn to jewelry that is timeless with a twist, which in this case [above] you can literally see. This Fire Curl ring from Renisis is regal meets rock ’n’ roll, and something I would never want to take off. Perfect for everyday wear, this sculptural design is centered around a stunning tourmaline that boasts a rich, fiery hue. What better way to celebrate myself this Valentine’s Day than with a self-gift splurge?
“Statement earrings don’t get the credit they deserve in our day-to-day lives, as they’re usually reserved for momentous occasions. Take these Lagos earrings recently worn by Angela Bassett at the 2024 Golden Globes: They’re luxurious, vibrant, and just waiting to be worn again. I would feel like a celebrity in my own right if I could treat myself to a Valentine’s Day dinner and a show wearing these one-of-a-kind earrings.”
Francesca Simons, Francesca Simons Consulting
“The vibrant hue of red has made a significant impact in the fashion scene, making its mark both on and off the runway. Within the realm of jewelry, rubies have endured as a timeless and classic gemstone. Symbolizing power, protection, royalty, and passion, the ruby possesses the ability to effortlessly enhance any look, whether as a bold statement piece or a subtle infusion of color.
“These are some of my favorite pieces from our clients Suzanne Kalan [above] and Ashley Zhang [at top], showcasing the exquisite allure of the ruby.”
Amalia Keramitsis, Amalia Keramitsis Consulting
“I love these Alessandra earrings because they are clean and add an elegant pop of color for any evening.
“I also love the Susana Martins red ring because it’s a fun yet elegant and modern way to enjoy color.”
Duvall O’Steen, Luxury Brand Group
“With all the buzz about chokers—thank you, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Christian Dior, Valentino, etc.—I find myself wanting an awesome choker. The look feels youthful and contemporary, but with a slight nod to vintage styles of yesteryear. While I am not usually a big fan of heart jewelry, I am loving Guzema’s gold heart choker on a delightful red ribbon. With all the red on the catwalks of late, it feels like the perfect accessory.
“And of course the rich enduring red of responsibly sourced Sardinian coral would be a fabulous addition to my fine jewelry wardrobe. Assael’s Heart’s Desire earrings are my choice—I’ve had my eye on them since they were worn by Zoë Kravitz at the BAFTAs a couple of years ago. I wore these earrings at the Gem Awards last year with a glorious green dress that had too much gold beading and rhinestone sparkle to wear with gold or diamonds—the coral was perfect. Sometimes a lady just needs understated elegance!”
Arianna Clemenza, For Future Reference
“These Buddha Mama earrings would be my dream Valentine’s Day gift. What I love most about these is the unique shape of the popular heart motif, and the dangling marquise diamonds make them extra romantic. I would wear these way beyond just Valentine’s Day date night.”
Jackie LeBental-Jones, Barri Luxury Consulting
“This is one of my favorite earring silhouettes from Onirikka. The elongated and sleek shape of this stud elegantly follows the curve of the ear, creating a flattering and modern effect.
“There is an artistry to choosing gemstones that complement each other. Melissa [Spalten] has a gift for design, with a palette of vibrant colors turning jewelry into beautiful masterpieces. The casual glam look of the multi-drop Gemfetti earrings has been on my wish list since she started creating them.”
Yael Fraynd, YaYa Publicity
“Rubies hold a special place for me as it is the birthstone of my youngest daughter. I never gravitated towards rubies, and now I see myself constantly adding pieces with rubies to my wish lists.
“Alice Pierre has also seen a recent jump in sales and interest in pieces with red accents and stones. It was something that had not been so popular until recent months.”
Jessica Kiraly, Mega Mega Projects
“I have really loved the recent resurgence we have seen for red jewelry. The color itself can be found in many stones, including ruby, spinel, garnet, tourmaline, and rubellite—one of my particular favorites. I love how the ladies behind İTÄ mix in the stone with their classic Txirimiri ring, and the contrast between the round-cut rubies and baguette diamonds.
“I also love when gemstones are left in their pure raw form, like this necklace from Karma El Khalil. I think the imperfection of it is so beautiful, and each piece is unique.”
Samantha Perriello, Pace Public Relations
“Rubies are really intense and eye-catching gemstones—and yes, they’re definitely associated with romance and passion—but rubies also stir up feelings of power, confidence, energy, and strength. What I especially love about this ring by Auvere [below] is that it uses round cabochon rubies. The stones look regal this way, but also more elusive and interesting. I think with gemstones of any color, but especially really rich or deep hues, it’s easy for faceted cuts to make the stones appear costume-y, or give off “special occasion” vibes. But these cabochon rubies play so stunningly off the gold, giving a heightened sense of luxury without compromising cool. These pieces speak to me in a way that the wearer is really confident and secure in their own sense of style—I can picture accessorizing simple black leather and a white tee with these and completely elevating the look while also complementing its simplicity.”
Top: Toi et moi Bubble ring in 14k yellow gold with ruby and 0.27 ct. diamond, $4,000; Ashley Zhang
Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazineFollow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine
