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Symbolize Love And
Romance By:
Alice Leonardo Valentine’s Day began during the Roman
Empire, when Emperor Claudius II cancelled all marriages and engagements
in Rome. A Christian priest named Valentine defended
love and secretly married couples, despite the emperor’s orders. As a
result, he was imprisoned and remained in prison until his death on
February 14, 270. A few hundred years later, the church wanted
to do away with pagan holidays and Valentine’s Day came to replace a
mid-February fertility festival called Lupercalia. The original festival
observed on February 15 honored Lupercus, a deity who kept wild wolves
away from Rome. One custom associated with Lupercalia was the practice of
name-drawing. On Lupercalia Eve the names of young girls
were written down on pieces of paper and put in jars, from which each
young man would draw. The girl each young man drew would be his
“girlfriend” for the year. This may be the origin of Valentine’s Day
cards. The legends surrounding this special day are
as diverse as the lovers who celebrate it. Regardless of its origin,
February 14 is written in history as an occasion for exchanging gifts that
symbolize love and romance. And as wise gift-givers know, fine jewelry
ranks high among women’s most desired tokens of affection. Today, cards and gifts are still used to
express the themes of love and fertility taken from the ancient meanings
of this enduring holiday. If diamonds are in your gift-giving plans,
you can have a diamond inscribed with a secret message, thanks to
cutting-edge laser technology. Sweethearts love the inscription as the
ultimate personal touch. It also provides security as an easy way to
identify her very own diamond. Since the message can be read only under
magnification, the wearer can keep it
to herself or share it with others. You can also customize a unique piece of
jewelry for your valentine by having your local jeweler create a bracelet
or necklace with your sweetheart’s name etched in gold, platinum or
silver. Or, if she has one of those popular bracelets with add-on links,
give her a few new ones with romantic themes. For women of all ages, the appeal of charms
is hard to resist. Hearts, flowers, animals, travel and hobby themes are
just a few of the hundreds of beautifully
detailed charms that can be worn on a chain necklace or attached to a link
bracelet. Newest of all are whimsical gold rings with two or three dangling
charms of gold or carved gemstones. If this is the time you plan to “pop the
question,” select a diamond ring that reflects her personal style.
Consider inscribing the inside of the ring with the date of your betrothal
or with your initials intertwined. Be sure any diamond you purchase comes
with a GIA Diamond Grading Report, regarded internationally as the most
respected laboratory authentication for diamonds. |
