The Language of Love in Gems and Jewels,

(excerpts from Antiquorum Auctioneers, 11/16/97 thematic auction catalogue)

Without question, jewelry has historically been the most popular medium a man can create to express love for a woman. For centuries, men throughout the world have invested a great deal of affection (and money) in an attempt to find a tangible example of their devotion to present their loved one, be it an emerald necklace, ruby pendant, sapphire brooch, a strand of pearls or a diamond ring.

This celebrated tradition of giving gifts of gems and jewels as a form of affection dates back to early man. Through the centuries, the ring has emerged as the single most symbolically perfect love token in existence. Even without any ornamentation, the understated yet profound shape of a ring represents an eternal, never-ending manifestation of a man's love for a woman. The ancient Egyptians used the ring as a heavenly reminder that love has no beginning and no end.

Today the ring has become an integral part of the wedding itself. The Romans were first to incorporate the giving of a ring into the marraige ceremony. However, the ring did not always carry with it the romantic appeal we see in it today. In Roman times, the engagement ring was first and foremost a form of material proof for fathers that prospective husbands had the best of intentions for their daughters. These early rings were made of iron until gold was introduced in the second century A.D. As gold began to popularize itself as a jewelry metal, medieval times saw the enhancement of the symbolism of the ring with the addition of gems. By the Renaissance, the use of colored stones and diamonds as the focal point of betrothal and wedding rings started to become popular, and, have remained so since then, although varying in style.

Colored stones as a symbol of love have reigned supreme since the Pharoahs of Egypt. Ruby, the color of the heart, has historically symbolized passion, love, virility, and sexual desire. Sapphire, the color of the heavens, has come to represent innocence and truth. Both ruby and sapphire are excellent gems for rings considering their hardness is very close to that of diamonds.

Birthstones have also held traditional roles in engagement rings, exhibiting personal attachment to the individual. There are several variations of birthstones in terms of which gemstones are associated with a particular month. Included in the Western system of birthstones are garnet for January, amethyst for February, aquamarine for March... emerald for May... topaz for November... these gems would bestow upon their wearer a variety of love sentiments, including: commitment and devotion while wearing garnet; peace and understanding while wearing amethyst; the energy to bring love while wearing aquamarine; loyalty and commitment in marriage while wearing emerald; and fidelity and friendship while wearing topaz.

The natural pearl, however, has been the most closely associated gem to love and marriage since the ancient times. One of the earliest records of this is recorded in the Hindu book of the Rigveda, which explains how Krishna, the preserver of life, descended into the sea to retrieve a pearl for his daughter on her wedding day. Historically, the natural pearl has symbolized purity and innocence. The ancient Romans believed pearls could promote marital bliss, often depicting the bond between Cupid and Psyche as a strand of natural pearls. Cupid's mother, Venus, the goddess of love, was said to have been born from the sea like a pearl. Also thought to be a powerful aphrodisiac, Cleopatra was said to have dissolved a pearl in wine in order to seduce Mark Antony.