Celebrated For Centuries by Lovers ... "From Your Valentine" History, Myth and Legends
happy valentine's day
In This Issue
February Birthstone
Lore, Myth & Legend
WIN PEARL EARRINGS FOR YOU OR YOUR SPECIAL VALENTINE!

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Don't miss your chance to win a pair of 14K gold cultured pearl earrings. Simply email us the answers to the four true/false questions below:

1)
St. Valentine was a Roman priest.

2) Amethyst was used for trade exchange for thousands of years.

3) Buddhists use amethysts to enhance meditation.

4)
Custom designed jewelry is a timeless, romantic gift.
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ary Drawing Winner
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Pearl Birthstone June

Jewelry is intensely personal. Whatyou wear expresses your personality, your outlook, your feelings, yourdreams. And nothing does that better than handcrafted jewelry designedand fabricated just for you by a master craftsman. Bring us yourdreams, show us your style, tell us your taste and we'll create unique,made to order jewelry that will be as much a part of you as yoursignature.

You can reachDavid by phone at
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david@davidweissdesigns.com
February 2010
Pearl Birthstone June

Greetings!

There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Someexperts believe it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman priest who wasmartyred for defying Emperor Claudius II and refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14,269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer'sdaughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From YourValentine."  In 496 A.D. PopeGelasius set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine.

Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messagesand St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date wasmarked by sending poems and gifts, and there wasoften a social gathering or a ball. Another symbol of Valentine's Day, Cupid, became associated withit because he was the son of Venus, the Roman god of love and beauty.

In the United States, commercial valentines wereintroduced in the 1800s and the spirit of good will continues as valentines are still sent outwith sentimental verses, children exchange valentine cards at school, and gifts are given to our loved ones.


Show that special someone how much you care this Valentine's Day with a romantic masterpiece made especially for them. While flowers will wither and candies get eaten, custom jewelry is as timeless as your love. There is no better way to say Ilove you than with a heartfelt gift.
David Weiss
February Birthstone: AmethystFebruary Birthstone

Amethyst is the birthstone for February birthdays and is also thegemstone for the sixth anniversary of marriage. This luscious, purple gemstone has been traveling the world for thousands of years as a means of trade exchange and has been revered by royalty and religious leaders for centuries.

Since the Middle Ages, Bishops have worn rings set withamethyst stones to symbolize celibacy and piety. Buddhists useamethysts to enhance peace and tranquility during meditation. Leonardoda Vinci believed that amethyst had the power to protect against eviland to increase intelligence. The Chinese understood the value ofamethyst and used it as a means of currency. The amethyst stone has been an important part of many cultures and a treasured gift to commemorate those born in February.
VALENTINE LORE, MYTH & LEGEND . . .Valentine Heart

  • In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts onFebruary 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favorite decorations onthe spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!"
  • In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl tosee who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on theirsleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means thatit is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.
  • In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing froma young man. If she keeps the gift, it means she will marry him.
  • Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flyingoverhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If shesaw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she sawa goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.
  • A love seat is a wide chair. It was first made to seat one woman andher wide dress. Later, the love seat or courting seat had two sections,often in an S-shape. In this way, a couple could sit together -- butnot too closely!
  • Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry, As youtwist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off.You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem felloff.
  • Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Take a deep breath and blowthe seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that remain on the stem. Thatis the number of children you will have.
  • If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have.