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Special Occasions

Birthdays

Birthdays have been celebrated for as long as man has been able to mark the cycle of the year. In different cultures, there are numerous traditions surrounding birthdays. A particularly lovely Birthday tradition is to give a piece of gemstone jewellery which relates to the person's Birthstone .

Significant birthdays include:
- When the most significant digit changes, for example one's 1st, 10th, 30th, 50th, or 100th birthdays.
- 18th and 21st birthdays, as marking the step into adulthood.
- One's golden birthday, also called a champagne birthday, is the day when the age one turns is the same as the day in the month one was born. (e.g. someone turning 20 on January 20th celebrates his golden birthday).
- 12th or 13th birthdays, depending on the culture, to mark someone's coming-of-age. For Jewish children, this is about the time that they celebrate their bar mitzah or bat mitzvah and for Christian children it is when they have their first Holy Communion, or confirmation service.
- ‘Sweet Sixteen' has become a popular special celebration for girls, as being the age at which the transition is made between being a child and being a young woman.

For more information and gift ideas for Birthdays or any other special anniversary, view our Yummi Glass Pendants or our full Romantic Gift Guide

Valentine's Day


Every February, cards, flowers, and gifts, often of fine jewellery , are exchanged across the country. At the time of year, the Astley Clarke office is a flurry of excitement and energy. February 14th has long been associated with love and romance. There are several legends surrounding St Valentine and his death. One legend suggests that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. Concerned about the calibre of his soldiers, Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, and outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, believing the decree to be unjust, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

For more information and gift ideas for Valentine's Day or any other special anniversary, view our Yummi Glass Pendants or our full Romantic Gift Guide


The History of Mother's Day



‘Mothering Sunday' developed in Britain in the 17thC, as a day when people could show their appreciation and love for their mothers. This was traditionally celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent, usually in late March or early April, and started as a day when apprentices and servants could return home for the day to visit their mothers. Nowadays people honour this day with cards, flowers and of course jewellery.

For more information and gift ideas for Mother's Day or any other special anniversary, view our Yummi Glass Pendants or our full Romantic Gift Guide

Engagements and Weddings



At Astley Clarke, we know how important it is to get exactly the right wedding jewellery . We also have an excellent range of bridal gifts . We also offer a bespoke jewellery service for any other special anniversary.

Please read our information on Weddings and Engagements