Galentine Gifts: Jewels to Celebrate Female Friendships this Valentine’s Day

What’s better than Valentine’s Day? Galentine’s Day. This increasingly popular calendar moment falls on February 13^th – the day before Valentine’s – and it is used by women to celebrate some of the most important relationships in their lives: female friendships. If you are searching for the perfect present to spoil the hero BFFs in your universe, start with this shopping guide by Rachael Taylor. No matter what type of friend you’re blessed with, there’s a special jewel to make her smile…

The pleasingly named Galentine’s Day is believed to have emerged from TV show Parks and Recreation, spearheaded by Amy Poehler’s effervescent character Leslie Knope. And if you take the word of Leslie as gospel, this isn’t just an alternative holiday for single women wishing to avoid Valentine’s Day; it’s something altogether more powerful.

As she describes it in the show: “What’s Galentine’s Day? Oh, it’s only the best day of the year. Every February 13^th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it… Ladies celebrating ladies.”

There are myriad ways to celebrate your closest female friends on Galentine’s Day, and throughout the rest of the year, but if you’d like to show your appreciation with a gift of jewellery, we have some ideas for you – helpfully grouped by friend type.

The Inseparable Friend

You are rarely seen without her. Your thoughts are not entirely your own. You most certainly finish each other’s sentences. This type of friendship calls for jewels that mirror one another. This could be a perfectly matching set (or maybe mix ‘n’ match collections, such as earrings, so you can share). Or it could call for a grown-up twist on that all-time classic friendship jewel: the split-heart pendant. One half for you, one half for her.

Perfect gemstones to gift: Make sure their chakras are as aligned as the two of you with clear quartz, which also enhances focus and boosts energy.

The Childhood Friend

Some of our deepest friendships are those from childhood. It is rare for friendships to last a lifetime, so when they do, they are worth celebrating with a sentimental piece of jewellery. Perhaps jewellery with an infinity symbol to show the unbreakable nature of your bond, or – to reference your early days – a luxurious version of a friendship bracelet. Though traditionally used to mark romantic love, a toi et moi ring with two gems can be a beautiful representation of a long-lasting companionship.

Perfect gemstone to gift: Lapis lazuli encourages wisdom, truth and self-expression – just as the security of a lifelong friendship should.

The ‘Feet on Solid Ground’ Friend

We all have a friend who keeps us on the straight and narrow. The one who reminds us of who we are – and who we want to be. That steady and reliable friend we know we can always turn to in a crisis, and who will always pick us up when we feel weighed down by worries. What symbolism can we offer such an important friend? How about an anchor to show how safe they make you feel? Or perhaps a diamond, because that’s what they are: your rock.

Perfect gemstone to gift: Return the favour with grounding tourmaline, which is said to shields against negativity, promote emotional stability, and dispel fears.

The Party Friend

There are some friends you chill with, and some friends you call up when you are ready to hit the town. That friend who never says no to a last-minute invitation. The one who will keep you up all night, laughing and dancing until dawn. This sort of serotonin-boosting friendship should be celebrated with fun jewellery: bold colours, party motifs, maximum sparkle – maybe even some champagne diamonds?

Perfect gemstone to gift: Amethyst to ward off hangovers – the name derives from the Greek word ‘amethystos’, meaning ‘not drunk’ and Kate Moss swears by it.

The Friend in Need

We all have our ups and downs in life, and if you have a special friend who is going through a hard time right now, or could do with a little lift, then why not gift them a meaningful jewel that will act as a talisman. It could be a lucky four-leaf clover, a protective evil eye charm, or something that is personal to their story, such as a sun to represent brighter days ahead. Or perhaps a piece of jewellery engraved with an uplifting and empowering message.

Perfect gemstone to gift: Rose quartz to encourage love, compassion and emotional healing.

What do you think… will you celebrate the women in your life with Galentine’s Day gifts of the jewellery kind? Or perhaps on March 8^th when we mark International Women’s Day (IWD) – another moment to reward the special women surrounding you. And do look out for our special IWD coverage in March this year, when you can read 8 Women, 8 Jewels, an article dedicated to eight outstanding female jewellers and their eight remarkable designs.