MOJEH asks three jewellery designers to share their tips and tricks to find a dazzling, rock-solid gift for your loved one this Valentine’s Day.
By Natalie Trevis
Jasper Conran spring/summer 2016
Tessa Packard, Tessa Packard London
What makes a great Valentine’s gift and why?
The secret to buying the perfect gift is always in the research. Match the gift to the girl and everyone lives happily ever after.
What’s the nicest Valentine’s gift you’ve ever received?
My husband and I don’t give each other physical gifts on Valentine’s Day. Instead, we go out for dinner to a really nice restaurant and spoil ourselves. It’s not particularly original, but being a very busy working couple it’s quite nice to have some time to ourselves.
What are your tips for buying jewellery for Valentine’s day?
Romance is dead when it comes to clichés. I would personally stay away from commercial heart-shaped stereotypes and instead think outside the box. No girl will turn down a pair of earrings to match her favourite cocktail ring, nor a new piece from her favourite designer.
What are some of the common mistakes?
A lack of understanding and a lack of time can be disastrous when it comes to buying jewellery. Men especially have a tendency to panic buy lackluster jewellery in haste, without considering the recipient’s taste. With clients who need a little guidance, I always recommend a one-on-one consultation to help assist with the decision process. I think you can always tell when a partner has put in a lot of thought and effort into a present. I would also always recommend planning ahead and having something bespoke made if budget allows.
Which of your pieces would you recommend for a Valentine’s purchase?
For men, I would recommend our signature Sun Cufflinks or our onyx-set Big Smoke Cufflinks. For the ladies, I would suggest either our Sun Drop Earrings or Nazcar Ring. Both are incredibly easy to wear, timeless in design and work beautifully with any casual or formal outfit.
www.tessapackard.com
Reem Mobassaleh, RYM Jewelry
Tell us about the different charms and modules of your pieces.
The idea for me is that fine jewellery should be about the meaning not just the value of the item. So it’s the thought that counts. The more personal the piece, the sweeter the gift and with these you take any of the different modules – they represent different numbers in the Vedic system – and find a way to personalise it. I had a husband buy one recently for his wife, it was their ten-year anniversary and he ordered the date of their first dinner. There are many ways of attaching personal meaning to each of these charms. These pieces maintain their elegance and sophistication while still being fun and playful.
What are your tips for buying jewellery for a loved one?
I think two things are most important. I think a woman knows or can sense when a man has put effort and time into something. It’s sweet to get a gift but it doesn’t have the same weight when you feel your partner hasn’t put any thought into it. Second is presentation. A big part of opening a gift, especially on Valentine’s day, is the anticipation when you see the bag, the box and the ribbon, before you get to the actual gift. It’s that process of discovery and unfolding what’s inside.
Are there any gems that work especially for Valentine’s day?
I think for most men it might be easier to stick to a white diamond, because irrespective of skin tone or gem preference, those are universally loved. It’s harder to get a ring right because women, I have noticed, tend to be very particular about their hands and fingers. Consider sticking to necklaces and earrings. I think if you stick to the classics you can keep it simple and elegant.
Do you buy into the idea of Valentine’s day generally?
I buy into the idea of taking a moment to show your love and appreciation. So if Valentine’s happens to be a great reminder of that every year then so be it. I really don’t believe that love should be shown through extravagance, it should be shown through thoughtfulness. I don’t really like the commercial aspects of Valentine’s but I do really like the idea of using it to take a step back and say what you love and appreciate about a relationship.
www.rymjewelry.com
Leyla Abdollahi, Leyla Abdollahi London
What should one look for while picking out the perfect piece of jewellery for Valentine’s?
My greatest advice would be to know your partner’s taste and style instinctively. A thoughtful gift will always be remembered (even if they fail miserably at the task). I always recommend choosing something unique and close to the recipient’s character. A bespoke signature piece says so much more than a commercial mass-market product. To go that extra mile for your loved one is truly special.
If love were a jewel, which one would it be?
A diamond, of course! It is pure, flawless and eternal.
Which of your pieces is the most popular at this time of year?
The Radiant collection because of its vibrant and alluring colour combinations, it fits the mood perfectly at this time of the year.
If not jewellery, what would make a romantic gift?
A beautiful bunch of flowers, a box of fine quality chocolates or a couple of tickets to an exotic destination. But none of that would be complete without perhaps adding a beautifully packaged piece of jewellery with the recipient’s name on it.
Your jewellery collections are named after the many emotions associated with love like Passion, Radiance, Lust & Lure. Which one of these is the closest to your heart?
I love them all for different reasons. But if I was to choose one, I would say Lust & Lure. I love the use of materials and colour schemes from the art deco era, and the collection’s concept, which captures the spirit of the 1920s ‘Les Années Folles’ (crazy years in French).
If you could wear only one piece of jewellery this year, what would it be?
It’s a tricky question for someone with quite a varied jewellery box! Perhaps a pair of my versatile earrings, which would give me a few different options. I can wear them as a pair of studs or suspended drops or even a pendant.
www.leyla-abdollahi.com
