If you’re looking for a truly unique stone to centre your engagement ring, look no further. Amethyst is an unconventional choice, but oh so beautiful.
The deep purple hue of this stone is a standout choice for bold brides, and can easily give a vintage feel depending on one’s ring settings. Here’s what you need to know about amethysts.
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Amethyst is an ancient semi-precious gemstone, and a purple variety of quartz. The stone ranges in purple tinged shades, from deep violent to lavender.
It got its name from the Greek word “Amethystos” meaning “not intoxicated”. According to legend, the wine god Bacchus was angered over an insult and vowed that the next person he met would be devoured by his tigers. A maiden named Amethyst was that person. Upon the attack, she sought protection from the Gods and was saved by being turned into a clear white crystal. Bacchus, feeling immense guilt, poured his wine over the stone as an offering, turning the stone purple in the process.
The Ancient Greeks believed this stone could prevent people from getting drunk, and would thus stud their wine goblets with it. The stone was also considered a master healer, and the ancient Greeks would wear it on their armor during battle as protection and to stay focused.
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Amethyst is the birthstone of February and the stone of St.Valentine, who was said to have frequently worn it. As such, the stone’s meaning is often connected to faithful love and passion.
During the Middle Ages, a lady would present an amethyst in the shape of a heart set in silver to a knight or her husband, and was said to encourage the greatest possible happiness and good fortune for the pair.
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Amethysts are relatively inexpensive, especially when compared to diamonds, making it a great choice for brides and grooms on a budget. However, a disadvantage is that they are not as durable as diamonds. Amethysts has a 7 ranking on the Mohs scale of hardness, compared to a diamond’s 10 ranking. It is, however, durable enough for everyday wear.
The best varieties of Amethysts come from Siberia, Sri Lanka, Brazil, and the far East.
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Speaking to Brides.com, Madeline Fraser, the founder and CEO of Gemist, explains that those wanting to purchase an amethyst stone should hold it up to the light to check for quality.
“When held up to the light, it should travel completely through the stone,” she says. “Amethysts of high quality should be completely clear and should not have inclusions.”
Remember to be conscious of the band as well. The type of metal chosen could affect the colour of the stone. For example, a white gold band could bring out bluish undertones, while a warmer metal could enhance the deep purple tones.
Feature image: Pinterest
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Do you and your partner share a sense of wanderlust? Or maybe you’re dreaming of a destination wedding but don’t have the funds to make it happen. Fear not. There are many fun and creative ways to bring the world to your wedding.
Adding travel-themed elements to your big day is a great way to honour your love of travel. Using creative decor ideas, you can easily add that sense of wanderlust into your wedding.
Here some ideas to make your guests feel like they’re part of an exciting adventure.
Invitations:
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Escort cards and seating charts:
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Decor:
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Dessert:
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Feature image: Unsplash
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Amid the coronavirus pandemic, designers have gotten especially creative. The new trend? Haute couture bridal face masks.
These fashionable designs, created by Winnie Couture, encourage brides and grooms to stay safe and stylish on their big day. Winnie Couture describes them as “protective wedding masks that offer style and safety for engaged couples across the globe.
“Each Haute Mask is handcrafted with the finest wedding attire fabrics and elements, 100% organic cotton lining, and a filter pocket for safe and comfortable wear.”
Masks range from $239-$389, and come in four main variants.
The masks are for a good cause as 100% of the proceeds from the collection will be donated to Direct Relief, a non-profit organization that is providing personal protective equipment and essential medical items to U.S. and international health workers responding to Coronavirus (COVID-19).
“Our most selfless medical heroes are keeping us safe with limited access to protective face masks. In order to contribute to the alleviation of the situation, my team and I have been making hand-sewn cloth masks to donate to hospitals and senior communities,” said Winnie, CEO of Winnie Couture.
Feature image: Winnie Couture
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Beloftebos, a wedding venue in the Western Cape who made headlines in January for refusing to host a same-sex wedding ceremony on religious grounds, are now claiming that they are being discriminated against by the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
On Monday [May 18], the owners of the establishment claimed that they had filed papers with the Equality Court, opposing the fact that they have discriminated against LGBTI+ people, reports Times Live. This means they are arguing that their policy which states that they will not host same-sex weddings is not discriminatory.
Michael Swain, executive director of Freedom of Religion South Africa said that Beloftebos are “asking the Equality Court to find that the SAHRC unfairly discriminated against them on grounds of conscience, religion and belief, and that the commission is biased and prejudiced in its treatment of them and their belief system”.
The commission launched an application against the owners in March, following several complaints about the venue. The Comissioner, André Gaum, explained that the outcome they hope to achieve includes that the venue’s policy be declared discriminatory, and that they are forced to host same-sex marriages. He said that the policy is unconstitutional and amounts to unfair discrimination.
According to Times Live, the owners claim that the ruling will have far-reaching consequences for them. “If the court decides against them, the owners of Beloftebos will be forced to participate in and celebrate events that violate their conscience, religion and belief — or alternatively be forced to close their venue and cease to offer their services,” said Swain.
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