Viewpoints

Shapes of the Heart: The Story Behind the Five Most Romantic Jewellery Motifs

By Sarah Royce-Greensill 3 Minute Read

Whether given to a partner, friend, parent, sibling or child, every piece of jewellery carries meaning and memories.

Certain symbols are inextricably linked to love and have been used to symbolise matters of the heart for centuries. Here, we look at the history behind the five most romantic motifs in the jewellery world.

Infinity

Thought there was nothing sentimental about algebra? Think again: the infinity symbol is where mathematics and romance collide. While the figure-of-eight motif can be traced back to Greek philosophy, it was first used to represent a number with no end by mathematician John Wallis in the 17th century. Also known as a lemniscate, from the Latin for “decorated with ribbons”, the symbol expresses eternal, endless love. Its elegant silhouette parlays beautifully into jewellery: such as this classic 9ct gold pendant by Goldsmiths, the two halves representing two interconnected souls.

Goldsmiths

9ct Yellow Gold Infinity Pendant

£200.00

Knot

Like the Celtic handfasting ritual, in which a married couple’s hands are tied together – literally, tying the knot – a knot represents love and lasting commitment. Love knots have appeared in jewelled form over the centuries: from Ancient Greek jewellery and Celtic knot rings to sailors’ rope bracelets and Victorian jewels. Symbolic but not saccharine, knots continue to appear in contemporary jewellery design. Here, Goldsmiths sprinkles tightly bound knots with diamonds for a sparkling accessory with a subtle romantic twist.

Goldsmiths

9ct White Gold 0.15ct Diamond Knot Stud Earrings

£450.00

Flowers

Nothing says ‘I love you’ better than a bouquet of flowers – except an everlasting display wrought from precious metal and gems. Floral jewellery blossomed in the early 19th century after the publication of Le Langage des Fleurs, which assigned meanings to different botanicals: tulips for love, blue violets for faithfulness, ivy for fidelity. Victorians, who loved symbolic jewels, embraced this new language with naturalistic depictions of flowers in diamond brooches, rings, necklaces and tiaras. The trend continued into the enameled blooms of Art Nouveau. Contemporary floral jewels are simpler and more stylised: each petal of Goldsmiths’ dainty 9ct gold flower, for example, is adorned with a single diamond.

Goldsmiths

9ct Yellow Gold 0.12cttw Flower Stud Earrings

£400.00

Goldsmiths

9ct Yellow Gold 0.08cttw Flower Pendant

£350.00

Circle

Wedding and eternity bands are an everyday reminder of a couple’s enduring love and commitment: the unbroken circle is a universal symbol of devotion. The circle is a metaphor for wholeness, perfection, and eternity; one of the most ancient and powerful symbols in existence. It’s also one of the most aesthetically pleasing, making it a timeless favourite in jewellery boxes. Goldsmiths sets brilliant-cut diamonds around the circumference of an open circle in this ultra-versatile pendant.

Goldsmiths

9ct White Gold 0.10cttw Diamond Open Circle Pendant

£400.00

Heart

The most unmistakably romantic emblem of all, hearts have been used since medieval times as a token of love. They were hugely popular in the Victorian era – Queen Victoria owned a bracelet strung with a heart-shaped charm to represent each of her children. In recent years, the heart has become one of the biggest trends in fine jewellery. From Suzanne Kalan’s hearts composed of baguette-cut diamonds to Chopard’s celebrated Happy Hearts collection and Gucci’s logo-adorned designs, there’s a heart to suit any style. Here, Goldsmiths embellishes a Sterling Silver version with a sparkling 0.10ct diamond.

Goldsmiths

Stirling Silver and 0.10ct Diamond Heart Locket

£275.00

Explore more romantic jewellery here at Goldsmiths online or visit one of our showrooms.

Author Credit: Sarah Royce-Greensill is the Jewellery & Watches Editor at The Telegraph, where she covers everything from royal tiaras to the latest trends in fine jewellery. She is also a contributor to Vanity Fair, Conde Nast Traveller, Tatler and Country Life, among other titles.

Goldsmiths is a trading name of Watches of Switzerland Company Limited. Registered Office: Aurum House, 2 Elland Road, Braunstone, Leicester, LE3 1TT, Registered in England and Wales, Company number 00146087. Registered VAT Number 834 8634 04. Watches of Switzerland Company Limited acts as a broker and not a lender and offers finance from Secure Trust Bank PLC trading as V12 Retail Finance and PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH trading as PayPal Credit. Watches of Switzerland Company Limited is authorised and regulated by the Finance Conduct Authority. Our registration number is 308710. Credit provided is subject to age and status, minimum spend applies. Terms and Conditions apply. UK residents only. We may receive a commission if your application is successful, and the amount may vary depending on the product chosen and the amount of credit taken out. Not all products are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and FOS protection will not be extended to unregulated agreements. Please note the Consumer Credit Act states that should your purchase / loan amount cost more than £30,000 you will not be covered under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

*Next day delivery available on most items. See product pages for more information.

Shapes of the Heart: The Story Behind the Five Most Romantic Jewellery Motifs

Infinity

Knot

Flowers

Circle

Heart

Sign Up For The Jewellery Edit Newsletter