No rose is a rose is a rose, anymore than an emerald is an emerald is an emerald. From fragrance to color to touch, each is unique, and during its Valentine's Day promotion, Colombian Emeralds International is giving away a rose with every piece of jewelry it sells.
"Romance is the heart of our business, and we want everyone in Key West to celebrate the day with us," said Iris Taylor-Rose, manager for the store located at 400 Front Street. "beginning on Feb. 6, we're giving away a rose with every jewelry purchase made through Valentine's Day, and on Valentine's Day itself, we're toasting Cupid with champagne for everyone."
As her name implies, Iris Taylor-Rose should know something about flowers, in particularly, roses. And in conjunction with her husband, Scott Rose, the promotions manager for Colombian Emeralds International, they both know a great deal about jewelry . . . and romance.
Although they have lived and worked together for more than five years, on their November wedding anniversary, Scott had local actress, Vanessa McCaffrey, recite Shake-spearian sonnets to Iris during a dinner at Louie's Backyard.
"You can never be too romantically creative, give enough roses or dangle emeralds too big on someone you love," said Scott Rose. "We still get a big kick out of surprising each other with something unexpected."
Before coming to Colombian Emeralds International, the Roses worked as an executive team in the Caribbean's jewelry market. Both have had experience managing jewelry stores, and though there are similarities between the Key West and Virgin Island markets, Scott says the Conch Republic is a challenge that encompasses more than most islands: "There's no captive audience here as on other islands because people can drive away from Key West," he said.
"And when you sell your jewelry at the same duty free pricesa s the other 30 Colombian Emeralds' stores in the Caribbean, all the Florida Keys, even people living in South Florida want to know about your product."
Rose says the store has a new Millennium Diamond Collection and all of Colombian Emeralds' merchandise comes with a complimentary appraisal, plus a free, 90-day insurance policy. And the week before Valentine's Day, a rose is part of the romance, too.