This Valentine’s Day, JCPenney is giving “baggage” a brilliant makeover. On Saturday, Feb. 14, the iconic retailer invites shoppers to trade in the ghosts of relationships past for a fresh start during The JCPenney Ex-Change.

For two hours only, customers can visit select JCPenney locations to hand over a piece of jewelry gifted by an ex-partner. In return, they’ll walk away with a brand-new ½-carat lab-grown diamond necklace set in 14k yellow gold over silver—completely free of charge and, most importantly, free of any awkward memories.

In a press release JCPenney says: Shoppers are invited to bring in a once-loved treasure and exchange it – flat trade, zero guilt, zero extra cost, zero questions asked – for a fresh start.

Valentine’s Day is traditionally about “forever,” but JCPenney knows that sometimes “forever” has an expiration date. Instead of letting old gifts gather dust in a drawer, the Ex-Change offers a guilt-free way to upgrade your jewelry box and your vibe.

The event is a one-day-only sprint for the first lucky shoppers who arrive at participating locations: Mark your calendars for Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, as this exclusive one-day event takes place from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. local time at select JCPenney locations nationwide. Since supplies are limited, the “Ex-Change” operates on a first-come, first-served basis: the flagship store in Garden City, N.Y., will welcome the first 100 customers to claim their new necklace, while all other participating locations will be prepared to host the first 50 eligible shoppers.

The featured trade-in piece is a stunning ½-carat lab-grown diamond. Lab-grown diamonds are physically, chemically, and optically identical to mined diamonds, offering a sustainable and modern way to celebrate self-love this February.