Right up there with chocolates, handwritten cards and flowers, jewelry is one of the quintessential Valentine’s Day gifts. But just selecting any old necklace or ring won’t be enough to impress your sweetheart. The best jewelry gifts are thoughtful, tailored pieces that show just how much you appreciate the ones you hold dear.
To ensure you truly wow them this Valentine’s Day, CNN Underscored editors picked out our favorite swoon-worthy styles to give your S.O., galentine or any other special someone. Whether you’re looking to dazzle them with a classic pair of pearl earrings or surprise them with a sentimental necklace, you’re sure to find something on our list to show your love.
Want more inspiration? Check out our favorite Valentine’s Day gifts for him, gifts for her and unique gifts.
Valentine’s Day necklace gifts
A Valentine's Day twist on one of the brand's most popular styles, this Kendra Scott pendant necklace comes in nine different colors, so you can choose from something more subdued like an ivory-colored Mother-of-Pearl stone or a vibrant neon pink.
Pulling off a mixed-metal look can be daunting, but this Ben-Amun necklace makes it easy with beautifully blended gold and silver links. Ben-Amun makes a ton of thick and chunky statement pieces that are sure to delight any jewelry-obsessed valentine.
Rachel Quigley, Underscored's managing editor, wears her Scorpio sign as a badge of honor, so she loved receiving this Mejuri pendant as a gift. Available in gold and silver, this disc-shaped pendant is an understated nod to their star sign with enough sparkle to make it special but suitable for daily wear too.
Looking for something a little more boho? This choker from Simeuro is handcrafted in Valencia, Spain, and comes in 10 stone and metal pairings. We can pretty much guarantee that your sweetheart doesn't have a necklace like this one in their collection yet.
Made in collaboration with artist Cassi Namoda, this solid 14-karat-yellow-gold necklace is made with five purple-red garnets. It's simple enough to layer with other pieces, but you can definitely wear it solo too. And though it's inspired by the red moons in Namoda's painting, the subtle red pop is also right on-trend for Valentine's Day.
This minimalist name necklace, which you can get in rose gold, 18-karat gold or sterling silver, is the perfect option for displaying your sweetheart's name around their neck. But if wearing their own name isn't quite their thing, you can always design the necklace with the name of a child, loved one or meaningful word.
Featuring five ethically sourced diamonds, this dainty and delicate Mejuri necklace is a splurge-worthy Valentine's Day gift that will be a win across any kind of jewelry taste.
No piece of jewelry is quite as timeless or as sentimental as a locket, and this heart-shaped one from Catbird is sure to become a cherished heirloom. It comes with complimentary engraving, and you can pop in a picture using Catbird's helpful sizing guide to make a truly heartfelt present. Just note that you'll have to grab a chain to display the locket on, whether from Catbird or somewhere else.
There are few names more dazzling in jewelry than Swarovski, and this clear crystal necklace shows you why. More textured than your standard pendant, these crystals are woven into a shimmering heart-shaped pattern that truly makes this necklace shine.
If you're looking for a jewelry gift to give your favorite guy, this box chain is the perfect piece to get his collection started. Available in gold or silver, it's a simple necklace that will make everything from jeans and a tee to his favorite sweats look more polished. You can pair it with a matching box chain bracelet too.
Jewelry brand Fortune & Frame makes some of the most innovative lockets out there, including ones that look like little books and miniature fortune cookies. Inside this bestselling locket comes a personalized fortune, message or personal affirmation of your choosing.
Chain-link jewelry is super trendy right now, and it's an easy way to add a little bit more excitement to your daily necklace stack. If they wear the same set of necklaces over and over, they'll appreciate the added pizzazz of this versatile piece.
If your valentine loves simplicity, then they’re sure to swoon over this timeless diamond solitaire pendant necklace. Crafted with sterling silver and a single sparkling diamond, it’s the perfect piece to show just how much you care.
It seems like everyone has at least one letter necklace these days, but if your partner is still lacking one, this Bracha necklace is a favorite among our readers.
Valentine’s Day earring gifts
Unlike regular drop or stud earrings, this set from Jewels & Aces is modular so you can style them in a variety of different combinations. It works for those with multiple lobe piercings or just one, and they are a favorite of Underscored's fashion and beauty editor Sophie Shaw.
Can't decide between everyday hoops and earrings with a stunning shine for your valentine? With these Brilliant Earth huggies, you don't have to choose. Adorned with ethically sourced diamonds, these dazzling silver hoop earrings will add an instant touch of glamour to any outfit.
AAPI-owned jewelry brand Maison Miru launched its signature Nap Earrings back in 2021, but years later, its beloved pieces are still going strong. Designed to be comfortable enough to nap in and poke-free, these jade stud earrings have the perfect pop of color and sparkle that easily pairs with any outfit.
A pair of pearl earrings is essential for any jewelry collection, but these Mejuri earrings have a little more presence than traditional pearl studs. With a 10-millimeter drop pearl, this just-under-$100 pair adds a classy yet bold touch to any look.
Sparkling solitaire earrings like these will never go out of style, and they're a great option if you're looking for something more affordable or you prefer cubic zirconia over diamonds. Choose from a platinum or gold setting for these ultra-blinged-out earrings.
Perhaps the most versatile piece of jewelry in recent years, you really can never have too many gold hoops. These Mejuri hoops will be your sweetheart's new everyday go-to, and you can even grab them in silver too.
Sculptural, chunky jewelry is an easy way to make a fashion statement without much effort. If your partner is all about the effortlessly chic look, these earrings will be a surefire hit they'll love putting in their jewelry rotation.
Valentine’s Day ring gifts
A great gift for the person who likes to mix and match their jewelry, this mixed-metal tube ring from Mejuri is another favorite of our beauty and fashion editor. With its modern look, your valentine can sport this ring solo or sprinkle it into their current ring stack.
A simple piece with a big sentiment, these rings can be customized with a name, date or other meaningful word. It's a Valentine's Day gift ideal for commemorating an anniversary, an important milestone or a loved one.
Heart-shaped jewelry can seem a bit clichéd for Valentine’s Day, but this Aurate ring strikes just the right balance between festive and functional. It fits the holiday gifting bill, but it's also subtle enough to wear daily.
Another handmade piece from Simuero, the Uva ring is made with clean green prehnite stone. Its eye-catching and earthy design is available in gold- and silver-plated finishes and is a great gift for the valentine who doesn't mind standing out.
These pretty little stacking rings, which are available in silver, gold or rose gold, are inset with your choice of one of the 12 birthstones for a pretty, personalized gift that won't break the bank.
Valentine’s Day bracelet and watch gifts
Look, we love a smartwatch as much as anyone else, but the elegance of an analog timepiece is pretty undefeated as far as men's accessories go. This Fossil watch comes in four leather finishes and is relatively low-profile, so it won't get in his way. You can even have the back of this men's watch engraved with your favorite phrase, a monogram or an inside joke for an even more meaningful touch.
Choose from a standard or bevel setting for this BaubleBar tennis bracelet, which looks great stacked on the wrist with other pieces. If you're looking for something with just a little bit more pizzazz, you can also shop this colored-stone version, which is customizable with up to nine characters to sport their name or initials.
Hearts are the go-to symbol for Valentine's Day, but that doesn't mean you can't sport them year-round. This Coach bracelet is perfectly on the nose for the holiday, but it will also provide a nice pop of color in your daily bracelet stack well after February ends.
Made up of tiny linked hearts, this Catbird bracelet is a fun and dainty piece that you can even add charms to for an extra-special touch.
Don't let the guy in your life miss out on the mixed-metal trend. This two-tone watch from Fossil perfectly mixes modern and classic styles with a stainless steel design, plus a scratch-resistant face that stands up to daily wear.
Nothing is stopping you from getting some jewelry gifts for your friends too. Made of 18-karat gold vermeil with an adjustable toggle for getting the perfect fit, you can also customize this Monica Vinader bracelet with complimentary engraving. Consider it an updated version of a friendship bracelet.
There are gold options galore, but for those who prefer some silver flair, this Brilliant Earth bracelet is great for the understated jewelry wearer. Lacking a large pendant but offering more than just a linked chain, the bracelet's diamond-accented bar gives off just enough shine to make it special.
A different style of personalized jewelry, this zodiac bracelet is another astrology-themed option. Handmade with cubic zirconia stones, it’s a delicately designed piece with a lot more whimsy than most.
Available in four different metal finishes, this everyday bracelet is a unisex option that works with practically any style.
Why trust CNN Underscored
Here at Underscored, we make it our job to stay up to date on all the latest products, but we don’t just find them; we also rigorously test products from hundreds of brands to make sure every gift you give is a hit. We also know that you get tired of seeing the same gift ideas year after year, which is why our team of editors has carefully curated each of our gift guides with a selection of products tailored to the person, hobby or event you’re shopping for (though, if you’re seeing some repeat products in our coverage, it probably just means that we really love them).
We love the classic Valentine’s Day gifts as much as the next person (you know flowers, candy, sentimental keepsakes), but we also love giving something new and exciting that still shows our loved ones how much we appreciate them. For this article, associate editor Jillian Tracy compiled jewelry gifts from editor-loved and stylist-approved brands that appeal to every taste, from the most eye-catching maximalists to those with a more understated style.
Jillian Tracy is an associate editor at CNN Underscored who covers topics that span the lifestyle vertical such as fashion, health, sustainability, beauty and outdoors. You can find her trying to catch up on her Goodreads goal, planning her next travel adventure or rewatching "RuPaul’s Drag Race."
