Purple Haze

Amethyst: Hot Gift for February Birthdays, 1st & 6th Anniversaries,Even Valentine’s Day in Customizable Styles By Designer Jane WullbrandtLiberty, MO—Amethyst, February’s birthstone, boasts a color range that complements fashion trends expected to remain strong through at least 2008. Moreover, this popular quartz gem symbolizes sentiments for both the gift giver and wearer that embody our culture’s optimistic desires for brighter times ahead. Atlanta-based designer Jane Wullbrandt offers many ways for gifters to find the perfect gift in customizable styles available at The Polished Edge.From a fashion standpoint, the color purple is no longer considered “trendy,” but rather recognized for its proven staying power. “The entire purple palette—purple, lavender, fuchsia, grape, and dark purple—remains in style,” explains Kevin Weaver of The Polished Edge. “It’s a usable color that has served us well and is hard to let go. Moving forward, deeper shades of purple are evolving like rich orchid and blue-purple. For the spring/summer season a range of purples in graceful, fluid fashions will be important.”Influencing our attraction to vivid, bright colors like purple is our desire to be happy and to celebrate life, a color story that draws from many cultural identities, with vivacious hues like fuchsias and purples contrasted against stark white, bright yellow and green, and dark navy and red. “Amethyst is an ideal gem accessory, particularly when set in designs that are detailed with special surprises, geometric in style, and hand-wrought in look,” describes Kevin. “Embodying this movement are jewels crafted by Jane Wullbrandt. Examples can be found in her hottest ScrollWorks® Collection, inspired by the ribbon-like shapes found in wrought iron gates. Set in rich 18k gold, Jane mixes amethyst with gems like tsavorite garnet in geometric forms in single styles and suites. But the beauty of her work is that any one of her designs can be customized to feature any gemstone. Also, each collection, while unique, works with one another allowing collectors to build distinctive jewelry wardrobes.”In addition to amethyst’s fashion flair, this gem has historically symbolized sincerity and purity in love, and is believed to guard against negativity and encourage good fortune—befitting of our longing for happier days. Not only does amethyst represent February’s birthstone, it is recognized as the ideal gem gift for the first and sixth wedding anniversary. Its love connection also makes it a meaningful gift for Valentine’s Day.