Valentine’s Day
The first official Saint Valentine’s Day was declared by Pope Gelasius in the year 496 to honour a martyred priest known as Bishop Valentine, who lived under the reign of Emperor Claudius in the second century AD.
Emperor Claudius believed that married men did not make good soldiers and therefore forbade young people from marrying. Bishop Valentine defied this decree and secretly performed marriage ceremonies for couples in love. For this act of courage, he was imprisoned and sentenced to death.
Legend tells that during his imprisonment, Bishop Valentine formed a bond with the jailer’s daughter. Shortly before his execution, he is said to have sent her a note signed, “From your Valentine.” The phrase — and the tradition — endured.
Today, the red heart is universally recognised as a symbol of romantic love and remains central to Valentine’s Day imagery. By the 20th century, the tradition of sending anonymous Valentine cards had become especially popular among schoolchildren.
Traditional Valentine’s Day gifts include red roses, chocolates, and jewellery. In the early 1980s, the diamond industry began promoting diamond jewellery as a Valentine’s Day gift. Today, diamond jewellery purchases in the weeks leading up to the 14th of February nearly rival those seen during the Christmas period.
Red Gems and Valentine’s Day
For those seeking something expressive and deeply symbolic, red gemstones have long been associated with passion, vitality, and love. A carefully chosen red gem can be just as meaningful — and often more personal — than a diamond.
Rubies, red tourmaline, red spinel, and red garnets are all rich in colour and history. Even blood coral, Mexican fire opal, or a finely cut red jasper cabochon can make a distinctive and thoughtful Valentine’s gift.
These stones form part of a broader tradition of gemstone jewellery, where colour, symbolism, and individuality play a central role in expressing emotion and personal style.
Ultimately, it is not the size or price of a jewel that matters most, but the thought, symbolism, and emotion it carries. A gem chosen with care will always speak louder than words.