St. Valentine’s Day- where love and jewellery collide

Ah, Valentine’s Day- a day for the hopeless romantics among us. In 270 A.D., Claudius, who was the Emperor of Rome at the time, had forbidden soldiers to be married because he thought that married men did not make good warriors ( what a jerk!). A young priest named Valentine performed weddings in secret and was imprisoned when he was found out. While he was in prison, he healed the blind daughter of his jailer, Asterius. Some stories say that Valentine fell in love with her. The evening before he was to be executed, he sent her a note signed , “from your Valentine”. Unfortunately, Valentine was still executed the next day, but we  celebrate St. Valentine’s Day as a day of romantic love.

So, what to get your beloved for Valentine’s Day? Chocolate tastes great, but is fattening and can wreck your teeth. Roses are beautiful and smell good, but they will die. And who wants a mass produced card? The perfect gift is the gift of creativity!  A class in jewellery making is a wonderful way to encourage that special someone to learn a new skill and express themselves in a way they never have before. They may even make you a piece of jewellery to express their gratitude!

Making a piece of jewellery yourself is also a beautifully creative way to show your sweetheart how important they are to you. Everytime they wear that special piece, they will be reminded of you! You can use their birthstone in it, or choose a stone associated with love. Rose quartz is a stone of unconditional love, associated with the heart chakra. Rhodonite and rhodochrosite are also lovely stones that would be appropriate for Valentine’s Day jewellery. On the other hand, if you want to inspire passionate feelings, choose vibrant red ruby or garnet! Amethyst, which happens to be the birthstone for February, is also thought to attract love. So many stones to love!

And of course, if you can also buy a lovely piece of handmade jewellery for your significant other. There are a lot of options for you to choose from at the studio- rings, bracelets, earrings and pendants, all carefully and lovingly made.

Lastly, even if there is no one special in your life, how about a special piece for yourself? Something you’ve always wanted or a class so you can make the jewellery of your dreams.

Happy Valentine’s Day!