Love Symbols

Guess what's all the rage again
Taking center stage again?
Romance. ROMANCE!
Lyrics by Barry Harman

Wedding bands and engagement rings are symbols of eternal love. But for February 14th love tokens can also come in alternative forms that are, naturally, precious!

Legend has it that Saint Valentine, born in Terni in 175 A.D. caused tremendous scandal in his time when he became the first religious man to perform a marriage ceremony between a pagan legionary and a young Christian woman. Afterwards many other such "mixed unions" came to him and asked for his blessing. From that time to this he has always been linked to romance and his memory is still commemorated today with the "the feast of the promise" (festa della promessa) in the Basilica of Terni. It was, however, Geoffrey Chaucer we must thank for the invention of "St. Valentine's Day". In his book Parliament of Foules, circa 1380, he described this festival as the day on which every bird chooses its partner. William Shakespeare too confirmed this by declaring that the feast of love was to be on February 14th because on that day the birds began to mate.

Hearts

The heart pendant is making a comeback!! Hearts are all the rage: you can find them on John Galliano's tattered shirts and among Moschino's bags. Popular items on wedding-lists are the toaster that imprints a heart on the slice of bread and the pan that produces a heart-shaped omelette. Heart pendants, symbols of love, affection, friendship and self-esteem, are definitely top on the list and are worn daily by stars such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Ornella Muti. In the long history of jewelry, the heart boasts very ancient traditions. Ranging from the British Museum's collection to the Duchess of Windsor's jewels, from Cartier's creations to the seventy-carat, platinum-mounted Cartier diamond that Richard Burton presented to Elizabeth Taylor for their second wedding. The heart pendant is being re-launched in all its possible forms and interpretations.

The Big I Do

The tradition of giving a diamond ring as a love token was established many centuries before Carol Channing declared, "diamonds are a girl's best friend" in Braoway's Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. In the 16th century, Maximilian of Austria demonstrated his love to Mary of Burgundy even before meeting her by sending her a diamond band to wear on her ring finger. The happy ending to this imperial couple's love affair helped to spread the idea that this gem has the power to consolidate unions. Today's royalty like Brad Pitt and the Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander might well have started a new trend, by personally designing their fiancées' rings. Pitt has twice been the designer of Damiani's new jewelry line dedicated to his wife and Prince Willem

Alexander created the five-star, bejeweled tiara that illuminated the face of his Argentine bride, Maxima Zorreguieta. It is rumored that Hollywood star Ben Affleck is also planning to give a "personalized" jewelry piece to his fiancée Jennifer Lopez for their wedding which will supposedly be held on St. Valentine's day in the Ritz Carlton of San Juan in Puerto Rico. For the moment, however, only a few have ventured into "personalized" jewelry and most of the amorously minded are guided by the offerings of the jewelry firms. The most romantic win out once again - the bands with diamonds and solitaires.

He buys the wedding rings

Etiquette always lays down some rules for wedding rings. It is the man who has to buy them and bring them to the church even though it's a good idea for the best man to have an extra pair in his pocket. The wedding ring must be simple asserts Giuliana Parabiago editor-in-chief of Vogue Sposa, "and discreet because it's worn every day and shouldn't clash with other jewelery." Platinum settings are all the rage for the big leap into matrimony these days. White is undoubtedly the most suitable because it's very understated. The traditional yellow gold band though will remain King of the wedding finery and one can never go wrong here. But, personalized or not, platinum, yellow or white gold, a jewelry piece given on Valentine's Day, while not and wholly original plan, always has a great effect and will keep you in good standing a long while.

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