In our Love Bean Collection, natural seeds used are from adenanthera pavonina, commonly known as the red sandalwood or coral bead tree. The coral bead tree is a big beautiful, medium to large-sized tree ranges from 18 - 45 feet in height, with innately compound leaves and dense racemes of fragrant, light-yellow blossoms. It has been planted in Suriname as an ornamental.

About adenanthera pavonina
In the Caribbean, the bright red seeds produced by this tree are known as "Jumbie" beads. They are also called "Circassian" seeds. These seeds are very similar in shape and size; they have a uniform weight of about four grains. It takes about 4 seeds to make one gram and approximately 109 to make an ounce. The seeds are used in necklaces and ornaments. Although the raw seeds are not edible, seeds that are roasted and shelled are eaten with rice in Java, Indonesia. The slender flattened pods become twisted as they split open at maturity to release up to 12 brilliant red, lens - shaped, extremely hard seeds. The ripened pods stay on the tree for some time. The hard reddish wood of the red sandalwood tree is used for cabinet making. A red dye, obtained from the wood, is used by Brahmins to mark religious symbols on their foreheads. Extracts from the seeds demonstrated anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

(Above paragraph extracted from http://www.tropilab.com/adenan-pav.html)

The Legend of Love I Never Knew from the Love Beans

More than 4600 years ago, there had been continuous violent conflicts between the agricultural Han Chinese and the non-Han Chinese herdsmen living in the north. It was said that there was a man who was forced to the battle field. With great reluctance, the man left the wife with their lovely sons and daughters. Since then, she spent each day waiting and hoping that the day would come for her husband’s return. Every dawn and dusk, she would lean against a big tree in a high mountain, only to learn that it was another day of disappointment. Her husband never returned.

Because of her continual longing, she cried under the big tree almost every waiting moment. She cried so much that her tears turned into blood drops and miracle happened. The blood drops from her tears harden and turned into red beans. The red beans rooted and grew into big trees that continue to produce more red beans. To commemorate the legend of this love story, people started calling these red seeds – the love beans.

(Content of the above story taken and modified from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/language_tips/easyEnglish/2007-06/06/content_888540.htm)

Use of Love Beans Today

Red beans have a very profound cultural foundation. A red, love bean is very big, with a diameter of about 9 millimeters. This kind of bean has distinct characteristics. They are very hard and often come in heart shape. They have almost similar color to blood and can be stored for a very long time without rotting, or fading in color.

Red bean symbolizes love and faithfulness. In some part of the Asia countries such as China and Taiwan, men often present red beans to their lover to show their commitment for a relationship. Red bean also symbolizes happiness. When a bride wears jewelry made from red beans on her wrist or neck, it means that she will lead a happy life. It is also a cultural belief and practices that if married couples put six red beans underneath each of their pillows, their love would remain till eternity.

Today, fashionable women are proud of wearing red bean jewelry. Lovers exchange love beans with each other to show their love and commitment towards each other.

(Above paragraph taken and modified from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/language_tips/easyEnglish/2007-06/06/content_888540.htm)

The article above is especially dedicated to our one-of-a-kind Love Bean Collection, created from bright red seeds of the coral bead tree. Our Love Bean Collection includes necklaces, bracelets, earrings, cell phone charms and anklets. Each of this art pieces is uniquely designed by Asian jewelry artists with simplicity and creativity to outline the message of love originated from the love bean. Love Bean Collection is unique and would never be widely distributed as it carries a message that would only be relevant to those who want to express their sincerity to their loved ones. So today, if my article reaches you, you would be the fortunate few to come to appreciate the deeper message carried by my Love Bean Collection published at my website. If you have someone that you would desperately like to show your love or appreciation to, this Love Bean Collection would be perfect for you because it is and it will always be made affordable just for you and your loved ones.