Cupid, take note

Photographs courtesy of Betteridge Jewelers.

Well, we shopped till we dropped in December. Then we had a little lull in January to recover our strength. And now we are ready to take the plunge again as Valentine’s Day approaches.

For a few helpful hints on what we ladies should be asking for this year, we turned to Win Betteridge, director of business development for the jeweler that bears his family name. On a bone-rattling winter’s day, we were warmed by Win’s Win-some charm, the Greenwich Avenue store’s cozy elegance – all bottle greens and masculine wood paneling and leather – and some truly hot rocks:

1. We know, we know: We wrote all about rubies in our December WAG “Gems” issue. But Win says, “Around Valentine’s Day, everyone goes for rubies,” like this ruby and diamond wide band ring, centering on an oval-shaped Burmese ruby weighing 2.83 carats, with pavé old mine cut diamonds, mounted in a tapering platinum setting. $26,000

2. This antique seed-pearl chain necklace with a tassel of ruby beads evokes the Mughal Empire and the Art Deco period all at once. Win suggests wearing it close to the throat with the seed-pearl chain spilling down your voluptuous upper back, à la Jennifer Lawrence’s 2013 Oscar look. $30,000.

3. Though we associate February with the color red, its real color is purple, as in amethysts. But for those who prefer their stones to be precious, Win loves this 5.58-carat pink-purple sapphire ring, brimming with offbeat charm. This Paolo Costagli creation is set slightly off-kilter in a crisscross band of round-cut diamonds and 18-karat white gold embedded with Paraiba tourmaline goodies. The purple hue is purer and more subtle than you’d find in an amethyst, Win says. $55,000.

4. For those who simply must have amethysts to celebrate the month, Win favors a pair of cushion-cut Goshwara amethyst earrings in 18-karat yellow gold with pavé diamond surmounts. Together, they represent 67.60 carats of amethysts. “They’re perfect for February birthdays,” he says. $6,500.

5. Nothing says glamour quite like this cushion-cut 36.90-carat rubellite brooch with its radiant diamond spray, from Verdura’s Hollywood Collection. Think Garbo and Valentino. The brooch, which contains 320 round brilliant-cut diamonds weighing a total of 11.33 carats and mounted in platinum, will certainly put the Madeleine Albright in your life into a state of deep lust. $125,000.

6. For the woman who believes that architect Louis Sullivan was right when he decreed that “form (ever) follows function,” Win has just the ticket – Cartier’s new Tank Américaine watch, small model, quartz, in 18-karat rose gold. The original owes its inspiration to the American tanks that liberated Paris during World War II, Win says. The new version has a longer rectangular case, and the rosy links conjure something reptilian – but in the sexiest, most opulent way. $25,600; (with diamonds, $38,700). Also available at Cartier boutiques nationwide. For more information, call (800) CARTIER or visit cartier.us.

For more, visit Betteridge Jewelers at 117 Greenwich Ave. in Greenwich or at betteridge.com.