Jewelry and Watch Gifts for Valentine’s Day

Miiori 'Flash Set' heart pendant

Below are a variety of jewelry and watches at various prices that should make exceptional gifts for Valentine's Day. The big day is Thursday, which gives you just enough time to buy something special and thoughtful for the person you love.

‘Flashy’ Heart Pendant
The Miiori heart pendant with diamonds and pink sapphires in 18k white gold (top photo). The jewelry employs the company’s patented “Flash Set” technique, where diamonds and colored gems are cut in a way that creates two different images (like a holographic image) as the piece of jewelry is moved. For more information on where to purchase the item contact the company at info@miiori.com.

Pink Diamond Heart
This 0.30-carat fancy intense pink SI1 diamond is rare in several ways. First the heart-shaped cut is something you don't see every day. Then there's the rarity of color. This pink diamond is from the Argyle mine in Western Australia, the primary source of pink diamonds throughout the world. About 55 to 60 of these diamonds are sold each year in a private tender at secret locations throughout the world to invited dealers and collectors. Their rarity is increased because the mine is estimated to have a lifespan of about 10 years. It is available for purchase on the Leibish & Co. website for $14,774. The specifications may be found here. The only drawback is that the unusual shape of the diamonds makes it difficult to set to create a jewelry piece. 

Valentine’s Day Necklace
Montblanc’s Valentine’s Day necklace in pink-gold color and steel is designed to symbolize the eternal bond shared between two souls. A large heart in warm pink-gold is paired with the Montblanc star in stainless steel. Overlapping, the heart is the universal symbol of eternal love, while the Montblanc star logo represents the luxury brand’s enduring passion for the finest European craftsmanship and design. The layered pendants are firmly tied together at the end of an adjustable leather cord that can be adjusted to deliver dramatically different looks. The necklace is available in Montblanc boutiques worldwide.

Valentine's Day Timepiece
The Saint-Valentin 2013 from Blancpain features a white mother-of-pearl dial enhanced by diamond hour-markers and five red-lacquered mother-of-pearl hearts. There also is a date display. The 34 mm steel case is topped by a bezel set with two rows of full cut-diamonds, while the case middle is adorned at 9 o’clock with five liquid ceramic hearts. This three-hand model, on which the seconds hand counterweight takes the shape of the Blancpain logo, is equipped with mechanical self-winding Calibre 1150 with a 100-hour power reserve. Even the rotor is decorated with hearts. It is available in a 99-piece limited edition and is delivered in a white wooden presentation box encrusted with white hearts evoking the dial design. Fort availability, contact the Montblanc New York boutique, 212-396-1735. 

Rose Gold Heart Chain
Designer Lisa Nik specializes in colored gemstone jewelry but she can also deliver quality designs in precious metal as with this 18k rose gold chain, decorated with little rose gold hearts. It retails for $1,260. For retailers who carry the item, visit www.lisanik.com. 

Floral Earrings
A pair of floral earrings ($148,500) paved in 20 carats of fancy pink diamonds by the famed jewelry designer Fred Leighton whose jewelry continues to be worn by Hollywood A-listers at awards shows and on the red carpet. Each earring boasts seven fancy pink diamonds at its center, with five petals encrusted in additional fancy pink diamonds. They are available at M.S. Rau Antiques in New Orleans. If you want to purchase them you’d better act fast as these earrings wLisa Nikill be offered at the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show taking place February 16-19. For more information, visit www.rauantiques.com.

Egg Pendants
Fabergé just released its Les Palais collection of signature Fine Jewellery egg pendants in opalescent pastels. Inspired by the summer palaces of Imperial Russia, each jewel is hand-crafted in 18k gold and guilloché enamel creating an iridescence which lends light and three-dimensional depth to each of the distinctive colors. The designs are overlaid with a refined gold embellishment, echoing the baroque motifs of the legendary Tsarskoye Selo summer palace. The collection is available at Fabergé flagship boutiques in New York, London and Geneva as well as at concessions within Harrods in London, Lane Crawford IFC in Hong Kong and other exclusive retailers. Selected items are also available via Fabergé’s online boutique at Fabergé.com.

Leopard Watch
The Hublot Big Bang Gold Leopard chronograph timepiece is set with a leopard-print dial and andalusite stones, dark smoked quartz and transparent quartz baguettes. The wild timepiece is available at Hublot’s Madison Avenue boutique.

Colorful Gold Collection
The Garavelli Dune collection uses shapes created with hammered 18k gold then covered with diamonds of various size. The line includes rings, bracelets, earrings and pendants. For more information on where to purchase the items contact Garavelli at garavelliusa@garavellialdo.it. 

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Jewelry to Lead the Way for Valentine’s Day

Jewelry is expected to be the most popular gift giving item for Valentine's Day. Montblanc Valentine’s Bead Bracelet.

Consumers are expected to spend $4.1 billion on jewelry, up from $3.5 billion last year, to lead the way for spending this Valentine’s Day, according to a recently released survey. In addition, nearly 19 percent of survey participants said they will buy jewelry this year, up from 17.3 percent last year, the highest percent in the survey’s history.

Total spending for Valentine’s Day is expected to reach $17.6 billion with the average person shelling out $126.03, up 8.5 percent over last year’s $116.21, according to NRF’s 2012 Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, conducted by BIGinsight. The highest average spend in the survey’s 10-year history.

Follow this link to view a variety of jewelry gift ideas.

“As one of the biggest gift-giving holidays of the year, it’s encouraging that consumers are still exhibiting the desire to spend on discretionary gift items, a strong indication our economy continues to move in the right direction,” said Matthew Shay, NRF president and CEO. “Anticipating high foot traffic in the coming weeks, retailers have replenished their inventories and will entice eager shoppers with great deals on everything from special menu items at restaurants to clothing to flowers and, of course, chocolates.”

Consumers will shell out the most on their partners, with the average person planning to spend $74.12 on their spouse or significant other, up from $68.98 last year, according to the survey. In addition, they will spend an average of $25.25 on their children, parents or other family members and $6.92 on friends. Pet owners will spend about $4.52 on their pets.

The survey also found the average male is expected to spend $168.74 on clothing, jewelry, greeting cards and more this year—nearly twice as much as women who are expected to spend an average of $85.76.

More than 13 percent will buy gift cards, up from 12.6 percent last year. Half of all celebrants will buy candy, 36 percent will buy flowers and 35.6 percent will treat their loved one to an evening out.

Consumers will spend more than $3.5 billion on a special evening out, the second highest total, according to the survey. They will also spend $1.8 billion on flowers, $1.5 billion on candy, $1.4 billion on clothing and $1.1 billion on gift cards.

Discount stores are expected to see the most traffic (37 percent), followed by department stores (33.6 percent). Others will shop at specialty stores (20.2 percent), online (19.3 percent), floral shop (17.8 percent), jewelry stores (10.6 percent) and specialty clothing stores (6.6 percent).

More than half of tablet owners (53.8 percent) will use their device to research products, compare prices, redeem coupons, look up retailer information or purchase products, according to the survey. More than 40 percent of smartphone owners will use their mobile device to do the same.

Valentine’s Day Jewelry Gifts

The 1 million pink Prosperity Diamond

There is nothing like seeing the person you love smiling because of something you did for her. If you want to see that smile on Valentine’s Day, take some time to get her a gift that really expresses how you feel about your relationship. Below are a range of jewelry gifts from rarities to the easily accessible. What they share is that they are all guaranteed to make your loved one beam.

The $1 Million Pink ‘Prosperity’ Diamond

As rare as true love is the Argyle pink diamond. They are mined from a single source, the Argyle Mine in Western Australia. The mine has an estimated 10-year supply left of these pinks then they will be gone forever. The most exceptional and rare diamonds from the mine are sold at an annual tender held in major cities around the world. A select group of diamond dealers are invited in each city where they view the diamonds and place silent bids on the ones that catch their fancy. They learn months later if their bid, or bids, won. At the last tender, Leibish & Co. won six diamonds. One of those was a radiant cut 1.71-carat vivid pink diamond. A skilled diamond cutter removed 0.03 cts. (less than 1 percent) and the color changed to a fancy vivid purplish pink and the value dramatically increased. “We just touched it,” said Leibish Polnauer, the Israeli-based company’s founder and CEO. “But you have to touch it the right way.” If that’s not enough, the now 1.68-carat diamond has a number that is considered extraordinarily lucky in China. Thus, the Prosperity Diamond was born. The diamond is now mounted on a double halo platinum ring and complimented with 0.82 carats of diamonds that adorn the halos and shank, with additional pave set round brilliants on the side of the head. It is available for $1 million and can be purchased at http://www.fancydiamonds.net.

The Jewelry Timepiece

Vacheron Constantin, the world’s oldest watch manufacture, has added to its Kalla family with the Kalla Haute Couture à Pampilles. This couture timepiece revives the tradition of “secret” watches that enabled 19th century watch wearers to check time in an exquisitely discreet manner. Set with a combination of brilliant, princess and flame-cut diamonds, the precious stones conceal a diamond-paved dial. With the subtle motion of four delicate mobile strands, the dial of the Kalla Haute Couture à Pampilles reveals itself on the wrist. The clasp, bracelet and dial are all made of white gold. The bracelet is composed of two diamond-studded ribbons that close delicately on the wrist like a precious jewel. The mechanical movement with caliber 1005 is manually wounded. It retails for $735,000 and is available at authorized Vacheron Constantin retailers.

One-of-A-Kind

There isn’t a woman on earth who doesn’t dream about owning a one-of-a-kind piece of highly crafted and stylized jewelry. Alexandra Mor makes these dreams come true. An example is this 68-carat emerald-cut amethyst ring that’s set with Mor’s signature details of 1mm knife-edged wire and 1.40 carats of 1mm “floating” diamond melee. The platinum mount is set on a 1mm 18k yellow gold band. It is signed by the artist and is priced at $22,000. To purchase go to www.AlexandraMor.com. For any sales inquiries, contact Alon at Alon@alexandramor.com. To make an appointment to visit the New York-based firm, contact Laura@alexandramor.com.


Flowery Timepieces from France

The Swiss are the undisputed kings of watchmaking. However, across the border is the Doubs region of France where the country’s watchmaking industry is centered—often using the same people, technologies and techniques as their Swiss counterparts. One company from the region, Damoiselle D, specializes in ladies fashion watches. The company calls its creations jewelry watches. They feature elaborate, circular shapes that start at the dial and work their way outward along with the liberal use of precious materials and diamonds. The watches are adorned with eight petals meant to symbolize happiness, luck and prosperity The one pictured is from the company’s Rosa line and is made with pink gold with a green translucent “sun” design on the dial, made from enameling. The color symbolizes love, divine wisdom, beauty and immortality. It retails for $20,500 and is available at Place Vendome in Pasadena, Calif.

The Flower Pendant

It’s a classic look that when done well still excites. This delicate flower pendant, known as “Gossamer,” is made with fine natural colored diamond rose cut slices and burnt orange diamonds in the center. It was crafted by YNY Jewels, established in 2006, which focuses on creating a wearable, beautiful line of jewelry that showcases the company’s appreciation for color, design and quality. The Gossamer retails for $12,000. Contact YNY Jewels directly to get a name of a retailer at 212 302 3130 or go to www.ynyjewels.com.

Stackable Marquise Rings

It’s safe to say that anyone who ends all their written correspondences with the word “Love,” has an in depth understanding of the meaning of Valentine’s Day. The jewelry designer who goes by the name, JJ, creates refined, colorful jewelry made from a variety of gemstones matched with precious metals. Her company is JJ Number 8 (the good luck number). Her latest creation is the stackable Marquise Rings made with peach moonstone, orange carnelian, turquoise and of white topaz. The three rings pictured are the orange carnelian and 18k yellow gold ($2,360); the peach moonstone and 18k yellow gold ($2,150); and the turquoise and 18k yellow gold ($2,070). They can be purchased through the company’s website where you can also find retailers that sell the items.

Valentine’s Bead Bracelet

This bracelet is not only a symbol of love and a personal treasure, but it is intended to bring luck and joy to its owner, according to Montblanc. The talisman, made of shining silver beads on a black thread features a single red gold-colored heart. It’s designed to be worn daily. The use of two contrasting materials means that it can be matched to many different outfits and appeals to women who favor gold or silver shades. The Montblanc Valentine’s Bead Bracelets retails for $465 and are limited to 500 pieces with each piece numbered. It is available in Montblanc boutiques worldwide.

Double Heart Beat Black Beauty

With a deep black mother of pearl dial and diamonds in and outside the dial, the Double Heart Beat Black Beauty is the latest from the Frederique Constant Heart Beat collection of ladies watches. Two intertwined hearts form an aperture in the dial revealing the “heart beat” of the movement. The Heart Beat was developed in 1994 to show the mechanical nature of these Frederique Constant watches by having an aperture at the position of the balance wheel. And there’s the symbolism of the twin hearts that represent a shared love on Valentine’s Day. It retails for $3,995 and is available at the Wynn resort and casino in Las Vegas. However, if you can’t make it to the Wynn, the other Heart Beat watches are available at Frederique Constant boutiques worldwide as well as other authorized retailers.

Colorful Resin Creations

Angélique Knafo, creative director and designer for her namesake collection, Angelique de Paris, creates what she calls wearable art. All of her creations are made of resin and incorporates bright colors and intricate designs based on her broad background in art, her 13 years living in Paris and her world travels. For Valentine’s Day, she unveiled the JE'TAIME bracelets in five tonal compositions of mauves, pinks, aquas, caramel and silver--adorned with charms. It retails for $210. Go to www.AngeliqueDeParis.com to find a retailer near you.