Everyone remembers their first crush in school and wanting to give them the best card or present for Valentine’s Day so they hopefully tell you they like you back. You devote hours to glitter and glue, spend your entire allowance trying to pick out the perfect stuffed animal or piece of jewelry, and muster up the courage to ask them to be yours. They say “yes!” and you are smitten the rest of the day! As we get older, the feeling is just as special when the person you love still chooses to be yours (gifts or no gifts). Some may call it a “corporate holiday” that only exists to sell candy and greeting cards, but then the questions remain… why do we celebrate this day? Where did all the symbols come from? Why do people give jewelry and eat chalk candy? For that, we have to jump in a time machine (or you can keep reading)!

When it Started (Maybe)

According to history, there were actually multiple Christian martyrs with the name Valentine in the mid two hundreds, but all in different regions. One in Rome, one in Terni, and a third who is known for nothing more than being martyred in Africa. The Valentines of Rome and Terni were each buried on the Via Flaminia on February 14th, but in different locations, and their relics are placed in separate churches. The 14th is celebrated as St. Valentine’s Day in several Christian denominations and “feast day” is also shown in the calendar of saints of the Lutheran Church. However, the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints was revised in 1969 and the feast day of St. Valentine was taken from the General Roman Calendar and moved to local calendars due to nothing being officially known of St. Valentine apart from where and when he was buried. So, unfortunately, no more days off of work to eat chocolate and count roses. 

The timing of the 14th seems slightly convenient in that it splits the ancient Pagan holiday Lupercalia which was said to be abolished in the late 400s. Lupercalia was celebrated in Rome annually between February 13th and 15th to honor Pan and Juno as well as Romulus and Remus. During this festival, priests sacrificed a goat and a dog in the cave where Romulus and Remus are said to have been raised by a she-wolf. These animals are sacrificed for fertility and purification, their hides dipped in blood, and the priests would go around town smacking women and crop fields with it to promote fertility in the upcoming year. On the slightly less morbid side, women would then place strips of parchment with their names on it in a goblet of sorts to be selected by eligible bachelors. These pairings would often result in marriage. While this festival is no longer celebrated, a name in a cup sounds way simpler than making a heart-shaped card.

The Legend

While the official history is rather vague and dull, the legend is where love truly shines.

There are several versions, but the story goes that the priest Valentine was persecuted as a Christian and interrogated by Roman Emperor Claudius II who attempted to convert him to Roman paganism to save his life. Valentine instead tried to convert the Emperor to Christianity and was then executed. Prior to his death, he supposedly healed the blind daughter of his jailer and is said to have written her the firs‘Valentine’s’ card which was signed “Your Valentine.” Legend has it that Julia planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave and today is recognized as a symbol of love and friendship. An embellishment to the legend suggests that Valentine used to perform Christian weddings for soldiers that were forbidden to marry and gave them hearts cut from parchment to remind them of their vows. Possibly being the origin of using hearts on Valentine’s Day. Saint Valentine was said to have worn a purple amethyst ring (worn by Christian bishops) with an image of Cupid engraved in it, which was recognized as a symbol of love. The Roman soldiers would see the ring and ask him to perform their marriages. Possibly due to the association with Saint Valentine, amethyst became February’s birthstone, which is thought by some to attract love.

Valentine’s Day Icons

Roses are red, violets are blue; this poem isn’t great, but it’s just for you! Poetry and romantic writing are a February 14th staple that has been popular since Chaucer’s Parliament of Fowls; the first recorded correlation of Valentine’s Day with romantic love. Although his poetry may be significantly more dignified than Hallmark cards today, the message still remains about love. Some other Valentine’s Day symbols have interesting histories as well. For example, Cupid was originally known to the ancient Greeks as Eros, the god of love. He had two sets of arrows (one for love and one for hate) to play with the emotions of his targets. Romans would tell stories of his mischief and he adopted the chubby, child-like appearance that we know and love today. 

With the reappearance of Sweethearts candy, it’s important to note that they originally started out as lozenges. The creator of the machine that produced the lozenges quickly switched over to making Necco Wafers, and his brother came up with the idea to make them with adorable sayings in 1866. They began using heart shapes in 1901. Over a century of heart-shaped chalk candy! One of the sayings on these candies are XOXO. Why does “X” stand for a kiss? “X” came to represent Christianity and the cross in the Middle Ages and, during the same time, was used to sign off documents. Marking with an “X” the writer would then kiss it as an oath or “sealing with a kiss.” 

This Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day as we know it today looks different around the world, with many countries celebrating it on different days throughout the year, but for us in America, we see hearts, roses, and chocolate the second Christmas goes on clearance in the stores. For the last-second gift-givers, flowers and a Hallmark card on the way home from work seems like it gets the job done. But what if I told you there’s an easy way to give your significant other something they will love for years to come? Jewelry is always a solid selection when it comes to a gift that will last long after the flowers wilt. If you want to cherish time together, having a stone set is a personal gift that will sweep them off their feet! You can choose the perfect gem for your sweetheart at Backroom Gems and spend a memorable Valentine’s Day with the one you love. No cheesy poem is required… Although, I’m sure they would love it! 

When looking at gemstones, there are many words that get thrown around quite a bit with little to no explanation or guidance. While this may be alright for individuals with experience and the right knowledge, not everyone is exposed to the world of gemstone specifics on a daily basis. This article is for you! Here is your guide to understanding the difference between faceted gems, cabochons, and raw pieces.

Let’s start with facets! What is a facet? By definition, a facet is an aspect, feature, or one particular side of something. In regards to gemstones, a facet is one of many flat, polished faces that can be seen on a cut gem.

For example, this champagne topaz has many facets! Most of which are smaller, geometrical shapes that surround the large face (or top of the gem). It is very common that gemstones to have facets cut into them to maximize their beauty and make their appearance more desirable by allowing them to reflect light on their surface, and refract light within. The internal light refractions are known as a gem’s “brilliance,” while the colorful play within is referred to as its “fire.” The angles used for each facet play a very important role when it comes to the final outcome of the gem

From far away they may all look very similar, but the number of facets and their angles is adjusted per the gem material and style wanted in order to maximize the gem’s potential and sparkle. If the facet angles are off, it can cause “light leakage,” where light rays are lost instead of adding to the gem’s brilliance. There are many naturally occurring gems that grow in already faceted shapes such as quartz, pyrite, and amethyst to name a few!

 

On the opposite end of shaping, we find cabochons. Cabochons are gems that have been shaped and polished to be domed or rounded top with a flat bottom. This was the default method of preparing gemstones prior to cutting being developed and perfected and is still used depending on the material, how it is being set, and what the gem looks like internally. If there are natural inclusions or markings, generally the piece will be cut as a cabochon to enhance its organic beauty.

The hardness of the gems is also taken into account when deciding to make it a cabochon or a faceted piece. If the gemstone has a hardness rating lower than 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, the gem may be easily scratched by some cutting or polishing materials used in faceting. This would risk making the facets unattractive or even damaging the gem. Rather than risk this, these gems are often made into cabochons, making the scratches much less evident. For example, opals are a fairly soft gem and are most often found in cabochon form. Although there are faceted opals that exist (and are gorgeous!), most jewelers will carry only set cabochons. There are some gems that wouldn’t have their name if they weren’t cut as cabochons.

Of these include the star sapphire, where the gem showcases a multiple-rayed star that moves across the dome with the light source, cat’s eye, and the famous tiger’s eye. The unique features of these stones would not have the same effect on a faceted stone, so cabochons definitely have their place in the world of gemstones.

Lastly, we have raw gemstones. These are much easier to identify as they are not cut or polished by mankind. Rather they are simply left in their natural form for us to behold. These gems have a unique corner of the market for collectors, enthusiasts, crafters, and jewelry makers, and they are thriving now more than ever!

If you are feeling confident now in knowing the difference, but don’t feel confident diving into the world of jewelry quite yet, that’s ok! There is one more, incredibly easy way to spot the difference between a faceted and a cabochon setting. A faceted gemstone will generally be found in a prong setting, while cabochons will be found in a bezel setting. There are crafters and jewelry makers that get creative in their setting styles, but this is a good rule of thumb to follow when trying to tell the difference.

 

You can find examples of each of these gem types in our inventory at Backroom Gems to further your journey in gemstone literacy.

If you are searching for opal engagement rings, you probably fall into one of the following categories: it has significance to either you or your partner, you are searching for a cost-conscious alternative to a diamond, or you are searching for the perfect gem with a colorful sparkle! No matter why you are searching, here are some things to consider about an opal ring.

What does Opal represent?

While a diamond is proposed to represent the durability of love that lasts forever, an opal is said to be a perfect representation of the spark and fire of your relationship. Red flashing within the opal symbolizes love and passion between two lovers. Opals are also alleged to boost creativity and symbolize fidelity. And, since no two opals are exactly the same, they are a fantastic option for those who want a one-of-a-kind ring!

Why go with an Opal?

Opals are a unique gem that have no substitute that is equal in color, flashing, or style. You can find opals in a variety of hues, and from there you can find one with the perfect color/type of flashing for you! For brides searching for a brighter ring, you can find a white or jelly opal with floral or fairy flashing to fit the perfect romantic style. For a bride who leans towards the dark side, black opals with green or blue flashing can be the star of the show, second only to the bride of course!

Opals are also a relatively less expensive gem for couples who are hoping to save some extra cash for the wedding, honeymoon, or a home to share.  Because of their natural beauty and shine, they don’t need many other details that drive up the price of a setting. Don’t feel like you can’t add flair, but it’s not a necessity with these stunning gems. Plus, being overall lighter in density, you can get a much larger stone with the same carat weight as a smaller diamond. Being less expensive, they also are more affordable to replace if anything were to ever happen to your center stone such as losing it, breaking it, or it being stolen. While we don’t want any of those things to occur to your gorgeous ring, sometimes life happens and having an opal center stone may ease the burden slightly.

Why not an Opal?

While opals are gorgeous and unsurpassed in uniqueness, they are not the most durable gemstone. Sitting at a 5.5 – 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, they are more prone to scratching than a harder stone such as a diamond.

Why is it important to know where quartz is on this scale? Quartz particles are commonly found in household dust, and since higher numbers can scratch lower ones, it is important to not clean your opal ring with a cloth that may have dust on it. There also needs to be considerations when it comes to moisture and where you store the gem. Opals typically contain a certain amount of moisture within and, if that moisture is lost, the gem can develop surface cracks over a period of time. This can be avoided by keeping the gem safe from extreme temperature changes, dry or hot conditions, and leaving it in direct sunlight. The color of the opal can be affected if it absorbs harsh oils or chemicals. This is important to keep in mind when doing household chores such as washing the dishes. For a bride that works with their hands for a living, an opal ring may not be the best choice as it is a higher risk gem based on all the factors above.

After considering all the factors and options, if an opal ring still stands out in your mind as “the one,” then go for it! For a bride that wants something nontraditional, an opal is a stunning choice that, years from now with proper care, will make a beautiful heirloom. As long as you are giving it to the one you love, nothing else matters.

Are you interested in purchasing Opal? Browse Backroom Gems assortment here.