With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, finding a thoughtful and unique gift to express your love can be a challenge. If flowers and chocolates aren’t really your thing and you’re looking for a more enduring way to show your commitment then why not think about investing in a piece of beautiful and meaningful handmade jewellery instead?
A carefully considered, timeless necklace, ring or pair of earrings can say everything you want it to without the need for those well-worn Valentine’s cliches. To badly misquote Shakespeare, if jewellery be the food of love, read on…
Above: Small diamond necklaces in recycled silver & gold plated silver by Elin Horgan Jewellery
1) Diamonds with a difference
A cool and quirky way to say “I love you”, these dainty pieces are handmade in silver and gold (see photo above). Not your quite your usual diamond necklaces, they’re sure to delight any minimalistas and geometry lovers out there. They’re a great wallet-friendly Valentine’s jewellery gift option too - the recycled silver diamond necklace is just £35 and the gold plated silver option is £50. Both come packaged in a beautiful linen-look gift box and are wrapped with tissue paper and a satin bow so that they’re ready to give straight to the lucky recipient.
Above: Gold plated & recycled silver smiley sun necklaces from Elin Horgan Jewellery
2) Make them smile
Could there be anything cuter than one these hand carved smiley sun necklaces, available in recycled silver and gold plated silver? There are even matching earrings if you really want to go for it! Each delightful sun necklace is individually created in wax before being cast in solid silver so they are all different. each with its own unique and unique charm. What better way to say I love you with a true one-off piece…after all, no one else will have one that’s exactly the same!
3) The timeless beauty of solid gold
An enduring symbol of love, solid gold is always a brilliant option for those looking for an investment piece that can be treasured forever and even passed down to the next generation. These sculptural, but dainty Opis stud earrings in 9ct recycled gold are bold and unique, but subtle enough to be worn everyday. The arched profile and lightly textured finish give a modern edge to this super wearble design.
Above: Venus statement earrings in gold plated silver by Elin Horgan Jewellery
4) I'm your Venus, I'm your fire
Named after the Roman goddess of love, this pair of conversation stopping Venus statement earrings is sure to get you noticed. These bold and beautiful earrings are inspired by the shapes found in classical architecture and are made from cast silver concentric circle discs with an ear post and scroll back. The Venus earrings are guaranteed to elevate any outfit and are available in both recycled silver and gold plated recycled silver finish.
5) Say it with spinel
Here's another one-of-a-kind piece for you, the solid 9ct gold and spinel half Artemis necklace is a complete one off the perfect way to show your love this Valentine’s Day. The dreamy lilac of the spinel beautifully complements the richness of the gold. In addition to its many physical qualities, spinel is linked to emotional healing, balance and serenity and is believed to reduce tension and anxiety. It is also associated with reviving relationships so this stunning gemstone is the ideal choice for demonstrating your love and devotion.
Above: wax carved and cast rings made at a Bristol jewellery making workshop with designer/maker Elin Horgan
6) The couple that makes together, stays together
OK, not strictly jewellery, but the chance to craft your own jewellery! What could be more romantic that making your own rings (or even each others?!) as a way of showing your commitment? If you're based in Bristol then you can check out my regular jewellery making classes at Kiln, just off Gloucester Road in Bishopston. These fun and informal 2.5hr sessions are designed for complete beginners and we'll spend the evening exploring the ancient art of wax carving to create your own unique ring or pendant design. You can find more details and dates of upcoming classes on my Jewellery Making Workshops page or if you're not sure which date is convenient and would prefer a voucher for a future session, just contact me at info@elinhorgan.com to arrange it.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my Valentine’s Day picks andwhether you opt for classic pieces that withstand the test of time or embrace modern designs that make a bold statement, remember that what truly matters is the sentiment behind each choice.
Elin Horgan designs and creates handmade jewellery in her Bristol studio. Elin’s beautifully simple handmade jewellery is carefully crafted and designed to be worn every day. You can read more about Elin’s work and the ethos behind her understated jewellery brand on her About Elin Horgan Jewellery page.
If you’d like to enquire about a specific product or discuss a custom piece of jewellery, please have a look at the Bespoke Handmade Jewellery page or email info@elinhorgan.com