How high jewellery brands are reimagining heart motifs today: from Chopard’s colourful pendant at Cannes Film Festival and Messika’s Cupid-inspired earrings to Boodles’ fancy pink rings

May 22 , 2023

Ronald Abram 13.13 carat heart-shaped emerald, ruby, white and yellow diamond earrings; Chopard Red Carpet collection heart necklace; and Messika Joy Cœur 18-carat white-gold and pavé diamond earring. Photos: Handouts

As the ultimate symbol of love, the heart motif has long been a go-to symbol for luxury jewellery houses – and it remains popular today, featured by brands from Chopard to Messika

Chopard’s Happy Hearts collections celebrate the label’s love for the iconic shape, while other designers like Yvonne Léon, Sorellina, Irene Neuwirth and Foundrae are also taking up the trend

Innumerable high jewellery pieces in heart shapes have been created over the decades, but there is something interesting each time a luxury house reimagines this motif, favoured even 500 years ago and dating back to the Tudor Era.

The heart, a profound romantic symbol, captures love quite effortlessly whether it is through a rendering of carefully cut heart-shaped gems and diamonds or a pavé of itty-bitty gemstones breathing life into the silhouette. And who doesn’t care for a gemmy heart or two, especially one with a cool whimsical take, or one with serious twinkle?

Chopard Precious Lace Necklace in fairmined ethical white gold, accented with rubies and diamonds. Photo: Handout

Chopard has been conjuring up joy in its Happy Hearts collection since its launch in 2009. The line, featuring the iconic dancing diamonds, has turned into a jewellery icon – and Chopard’s co-president and artistic director Caroline Scheufele unfailingly revisits the heart silhouette through daytime designs and elaborate haute joaillerie versions.

Happy Hearts in malachite, white or Tahitian mother-of-pearl, carnelian and onyx exude cheer with diamond-adorned versions amping up the glamour. This year, the pink opal appears in the Happy Hearts fine jewellery collection as a pendant necklace, a bracelet, a ring and a pair of earrings.

The Red Carpet collection from Chopard being launched at Cannes Film Festival includes a one-of-a-kind heart necklace and a matching pair of earrings; both burst into a colourful riot as briolettes blossom into teeny-tiny flowers across the heart- shape outlined by diamonds. A joy to behold.

Chopard’s Red Carpet necklace. Photo: Handout

In the past, earrings and necklaces set with heart-shaped diamonds were a staple at high jewellery brand Ronald Abram. Now that heart-shaped jewels are back on everyone’s style radar, the brand has reimagined its new high jewellery necklace, chandelier earrings and linear drop earrings in coloured gemstones that contrast with beautiful natural diamonds. “Our new earrings are set with Colombian emeralds and Burmese rubies as well as fancy coloured diamond hearts,” said Jonathan Abram, director of Ronald Abram.

Ronald Abram’s 10.88-carat emerald and diamond heart-shape necklace. Photo: Handout

Messika’s take on hearts stays forever modern: single earrings that resemble Cupid’s arrows are part of the Joy Cœur line that is crafted in pink or white gold with pavé-set diamonds, while a heart-shaped diamond in a graphic silhouette with a pavé-set Gatsby hairslide underlines the curves of the ear.