Ruby

The ruby is one of the four classic precious gemstones, and its rich hue has caused it to be sought after and treasured for thousands of years. It’s an especially fitting stone for expressing your love as it’s durable, long-lasting and deeply beautiful.

The Ruby and Diamond Heart Ring in 14K White Gold is a perfect example of the timeless allure of this crimson stone. This Victorian-style ring features a 5mm round ruby, surrounded by an intricately-carved vintage motif that frames this stone with a hexagon of white gold and accents it with a heart on each side. A small round diamond accents each of these hearts and adds sparkle. This ring, with its century-old design, is a lovely way to tell your special someone that you’re in it for the long haul. This piece could also serve as a unique and meaningful engagement ring if you’re planning a February 14^th proposal.

Garnet

As a semiprecious gemstone, garnet is an affordable alternative to the ruby, but it’s not just a stand-in: garnet has a deep red beauty all of its own. Garnet jewelry has been prized for thousands of years in cultures spanning the globe, and its saturated hue speaks of the depth of your affection.

The Garnet Heart and Diamond Pendant in 14K White Gold is a lovely piece to slip around a loved one’s neck on Valentine’s Day. This elegant pendant features a 10mm-high, heart-shaped garnet, suspended within a heart of white gold filigree, and accented by a diamond. This piece is light yet substantial, perfect for communicating that you’re the love you share is strong and able to lighten your heart.

Pink Topaz

Pink topaz jewelry is bold, feminine and impossible to miss. This brilliantly-color variety of topaz strikes the perfect balance between girlish charm and daring sophistication. Its slightly unexpected vibrancy makes it an unashamed statement of your affection.

An eye-catching heart-shaped pink topaz is the centerpiece of the Heart Shaped Pink Topaz and Diamond Ring in 14K White Gold. This vibrant 10mm-high gem is accompanied by accent diamonds that stud this piece’s unique, sweeping setting. From now until February 14, you can purchase this piece at 10 percent off by entering the coupon code “PINKHEART”. You also have a shot at winning it: enter at http://applesofgold.com/jewelry-sweepstakes/, either for yourself or for a special someone.

Ruby, garnet and pink topaz are all perfect picks for Valentine’s Day. These red and pink stones each represent your love in their own unique way.

The ruby is one of the four classic precious gemstones, and it’s long been loved for its saturated red color that seems to glow from within. What better time than winter to wear this warm crimson stone? This gem adds a rich sophistication to rings that span the style spectrum, from vintage to modern. No matter what sort of ring holds it, the ruby is next to impossible to ignore.

The vibrancy of the ruby allows it to add a bold touch to rings that contain symbols of faith, demonstrating that you’re not ashamed of what you believe. For instance, the Insignia Ruby Cross Ring in 14K White Gold features a 6mm-high oval faceted ruby in the middle of an antique-style insignia cross, creating a look that stands out in a crowd, both for its good looks and for the meaning behind it.

The contrast found in ruby and diamond rings is particularly striking as the rich, fiery hue of the ruby plays against the light, dazzling sparkle of its colorless partner. The 3 Stone Ruby and Diamond Channel Stone Ring gorgeously demonstrates this contrast as three oval-shaped rubies—one 6mm high and two side stones—are gracefully accented by six round, channel-set diamonds. A simple, gleaming 14K yellow gold band adds extra warmth to this modern classic style.

The rich crimson of the ruby is the hue that’s most often associated with love and ruby engagement rings are unique ways to demonstrate a love that’s set your heart afire. The 1 Carat Ruby Art Deco Bridal Ring Set in 14K White Gold is a prime example. This engagement ring and wedding band set uses a 1920s design to express a bond that never grows old. The round ruby that serves as the star of the engagement ring sparkles from within the petals of a shining white gold flower, while leaf and paisley motifs accent both bands. This stone’s vibrant glimmer gives a style that’s nearly a century old a fresh burst of life. While this set’s coordinating beauty is truly stunning, you can also purchase the engagement ring alone as the 1 Carat Art Deco Ruby Ring and pair it with the wedding band of your choice.

In addition to their stunning color and warm sparkle, rubies are also quite hard, allowing them to resist wear and tear. Because of this, any of these rings would be perfectly suited to pass on to future generations and to become a cherished heirloom. Let one of these ruby rings add warmth to your winter—this year and for many years to come.

But, do you know how Santa Claus came to be? The real Saint Nicholas, the person that inspired the modern-day Santa Claus, was probably the bishop of Myra (close to modern-day Finke, Turkey) in the 4^th Century. While there are many legends about him, most of these stories share a few common characteristics and portray him as a man of great generosity.

According to many of these stories, Saint Nicholas was born into a wealthy family, and when his parents died he inherited a large sum of money. However, he didn’t use the money for personal gain; rather he gave all of it away to those who needed it. One of the most famous tales of Saint Nicholas tells of how he threw bags of gold coins into the windows of the home of three girls who were about to be sold into slavery or prostitution, providing a dowry for them so that they could be married instead.

By the 6^th century, Saint Nicholas was famous, and the emperor Justinian dedicated a church in Constantinople to him. He was revered throughout Europe for centuries and almost 400 churches were dedicated to him in England alone in late Middle Ages. Even after the Protestant Reformation, which discouraged the veneration of saints, he remained popular in Holland and the Dutch brought his legend to the New World by the 1770s.

The name “Santa Claus” comes from the Dutch nickname for Saint Nicholas, “Sinter Klaas.” The modern concept of Santa was greatly influenced by the poem now known as “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” In it, Episcopalian minister Clement Clarke Moore described him as a jolly, kindly figure in a red coat.

The story of Saint Nicholas serves as an example of generosity for us today, and inspires us in our giving. Red and white jewelry, reminiscent of the colors of Santa Clause, is an excellent way to demonstrate your generosity this Christmas.

Garnet and diamond rings are excellent picks for any special person on your list. For example, the Cushion-Cut Garnet and Diamond Ring in 14K White Gold puts a 6mm cushion-cut garnet in the spotlight and surrounds it with a frame of glittering diamonds. A diamond-covered band ups the glamour of this piece. Or, choose a garnet and diamond pendant such as the Garnet Heart and Diamond Pendant in 14K White Gold, which suspends a heart-shaped garnet within a larger heart of white gold filigree.

If you’d prefer a piece that features two of the traditional precious gemstones, consider ruby jewelry accented with diamonds like the 2 Carat Ruby and Diamond Flower Ring. This classic style is a festive choice for the holiday season and an elegant piece year round. A 9mm-high, 2 carat ruby is encircled by a full carat of round diamonds like the petals of a flower.

These brilliant red and white pieces are both brilliant style statements and excellent ways to demonstrate your generosity. Choose one of in honor of the real Saint Nicholas.