Barbara Hillary Threaders

Barbara Hillary wore many professional hats throughout her life. While she is best known for her accomplishments as an Arctic explorer, she was also a nurse, publisher, adventurer, & motivational speaker. 

In her early life, Barbara dreamed of becoming a nurse. She graduated from New York University with a Masters degree in Gerontology, after which, she began a long career as a nursing professional. 

Barbara retired from nursing after 55 years. Her retirement, however, was far from average. While her friends were looking forward to relaxing, Barbara couldn't ignore her passion for adventure. Her first trip would be to Quebec to go dog sledding. It was on this trip she learned that at the time, no African American woman had reached the North Pole. It was at that very moment she decided she would be the first!

To prepare for the journey she took cross country skiing lessons & worked with a personal trainer. The total cost of a polar expedition was approximately $20,000, which was much more money than Barbara's retirement budget would afford her. However, this wouldn't stop her! She raised money for the trip by writing to sponsers & collecting donations. It wasn't long before she had raised close to $25,000! She booked the trip & set out for the North Pole.

On April 23, 2007, at the age of 75, Barbara Hillary became one of the oldest people, as well as the first African American woman to step foot in the North Pole.

After she returned, the United States House of Representatives passed a resolution recognizing & honoring her achievement in reaching the North Pole. In 2008, she received the Woman of Courage Award from the National Organization for Women.

Think thats impressive? Five years later, on January 6, 2011, Barbara became the first African American woman to visit the South Pole, as well!

Following her expeditions Barbara became a motivational speaker, travelling around the country giving inspirational speaches for a number of different organizations. 

While she made history for her achievements in the Arctic, Barbara would experience additional triumphs throughout her life that were equally, if not more, impressive - she was a two time cancer survivor! Around 1998, Hillary was diagnosed with lung cancer & underwent surgery to remove it. This was her 2nd diagnosis - the first was breast cancer when she was in her 20's.

Barbara seemed to be invincible until 2019, when a horrible illness caused one of her heart valves to fill with fluid. Despite being incredibly sick, she still managed to travel to Mongolia that same year to raise awareness on the effects of climate change to people in the region. When she returned to New York, Barbara experienced months of declining health & passed away on November 23. 

 

To celebrate Barbara Hillary's incredible life she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2020.

Labradorite  ⎆ Magic ・ Protection 

Inuits once called labradorite a "fire stone" & woud use powdered forms to help cure ailments. According to Inuit legend, Aurora Boreali's birth was from this magical stone when a warrior struck it with a spear. This freed some of the color, creating the Northern Lights, while others remained trapped in the stone, creating the incredible blue color seen when the gem is hit by light. 

When wearing labradorite some have testified the stone's mystical powers enabled them to become what they wanted to be. 

Labradorite is a tremendously spiritual stone, especially helpful for people who tend to overwork. It helps an individual regain energy while aiding the body & spirit in healing itself. 

In the metaphysical world labradorite is considered one of the most powerful protectors. The gemstone creates a shield for auras & protects against negativity of the world. It is said to temper the negativity within ourselves, as well. 

 

 

 

We offer a brief version of this information in an elegant card format. You can find these cards on our page titled, 'Crystal Cards' or in the Crystal Card blog post where you can download & print it for yourself or add it to a gift! We will include a card with your order for every gemstone found in the pieces you've purchased, however, if two pieces contain the same gemstone we will only include one card. Let us know if you are gifting these earrings, so you can add one with your gift, as well. You can provide this information through the "Add A Note" section at purchase. 

For more instructions on how to "Add A Note," visit our FAQ's page. 

Citrine  ⎆  Manifestation ・ Imagination・ Joy 

Citrine is a transparent form of quartz that ranges from a pale golden yellow, its most natural form, to honey or even brown, and may contain rainbow or sparkle inclusions. Known to attract positivity and wealth, citrine has been found in jewelry as far back as 300 BC in Ancient Greece, and is said to have been used in antiquity as a cure for bilious disorders, jaundice, and other diseases of the liver. Citrine was not made a relic in later years, being popularized by Queen Victoria in the 17th century and again by Greta Garbo during the art deco era of Hollywood fashion.  

Citrine is said to hold the power of the sun, and provide warmth, comfort, and energy to the wearer. Nicknamed 'The Merchant's Stone', citrine is a stone of abundance and manifestation that attracts positivity, prosperity, wealth, and happiness. Not only does it attract affirmation and affluence, it is also unable to hold any negative energy and will transmute those adverse into feelings of optimism and self-worth.  

Zodiac signs associated positively with citrine are Aires, Leo, and Libra. Wearing citrine in a bracelet leaves no barrier between the stone and your skin, allowing your body to absorb as much positive energy as possible.  

Amethyst, Agate, Fluorite, Labradorite, and Sunstone all beautifully compliment the physical and spiritual properties of citrine.  

 

 

 

We offer a brief version of this information in an elegant card format. You can find these cards on our page titled, 'Crystal Cards' or in the Crystal Card blog post where you can download & print it for yourself or add it to a gift! We will include a card with your order for every gemstone found in the pieces you've purchased, however, if two pieces contain the same gemstone we will only include one card. Let us know if you are gifting these earrings, so you can add one with your gift, as well. You can provide this information through the "Add A Note" section at purchase. 

For more instructions on how to "Add A Note," visit our FAQ's page. 

Tourmaline ⎆ Protection・ Balance・ Harmony 

 

Tourmaline is a semi-precious stone that comes in a wide range of colors. Rumored to be born from the rare energy of the rainbow, Tourmaline's many shades ripple with joyful generosity & attracting prosperity. From India to Australia & beyond, Tourmaline is a worldly gem that can be found scattered around the globe. 

Tourmaline is often mistaken for other gemstones. 

In fact, there are Russian crown jewels that were celebrated for their wealth of rare rubies, but actually turned out to be Tourmalines. 

Tourmaline is one of the only crystal stones that can be electrically charged, which is a testament to its power. Currently we turn to Tourmaline when we crave balance & healing, with each color connecting to a different part of our soul energy. The gem is also an incredible immune & nervous system aid. It also helps to strengthen bones & teeth, improving hand-eye coordination, & is great at lending a positive spin on shadowy, negative thoughts. 

 

 

 

 

We offer a brief version of this information in an elegant card format. You can find these cards on our page titled, 'Crystal Cards' or in the Crystal Card blog post where you can download & print it for yourself or add it to a gift! We will include a card with your order for every gemstone found in the pieces you've purchased, however, if two pieces contain the same gemstone we will only include one card. Let us know if you are gifting these earrings, so you can add one with your gift, as well. You can provide this information through the "Add A Note" section at purchase. 

For more instructions on how to "Add A Note," visit our FAQ's page. 

Sapphire ⎆ Royalty・ Protection・ Strength 

 

Sapphire is a gemstone associated with royalty. It is believed to attract abundance, blessings, & gifts. It has been used to protect against negative energies, as well as calm the mind, strengthen intuition, & invite spiritual clarity. 

furthermore, sapphire has a connection to romance. 

Blue sapphire can be used to enhance self expression. It can help you become more aware of your own responsibility for your thoughts & feelings. It is said to enhance your integrity & wisdom. 

 

Wearing sapphires can shift your personal Feng Shui energy. Wearing them around your neck is beneficial if you would like to work on expressing yourself. Sapphire has also been worn to protect from evil & harm. 

 

To the ancient & mid evil world, sapphires signified the height of celestial hope & faith, & was thought to bring protection, good fortune, & spiritual insight. It was a symbol of power & strength, as well as kindness & wise judgement. 

 

 

 

 

We offer a brief version of this information in an elegant card format. You can find these cards on our page titled, 'Crystal Cards' or in the Crystal Card blog post where you can download & print it for yourself or add it to a gift! We will include a card with your order for every gemstone found in the pieces you've purchased, however, if two pieces contain the same gemstone we will only include one card. Let us know if you are gifting these earrings, so you can add one with your gift, as well. You can provide this information through the "Add A Note" section at purchase. 

For more instructions on how to "Add A Note," visit our FAQ's page. 

Garnet ⎆Protection ・ Vitality ・ Love 

 

Garnet is the birthstone for January & the stone that celebrates the 2nd anniversary of marriage. The word “Garnet” comes from the latin word “Garanatus,” meaning ‘seed-like,’ in reference to a pomegranate. It is said small Garnets resemble the bright red seeds you find inside the red fruit.  

  

Garnet has an incredibly rich history. Thousands of years ago, red garnet necklaces were worn by Egyptian pharaohs who were later buried with them as prized possessions for the afterlife. In Ancient Rome, signet rings with carved garnets were used to stamp the wax that secured important documents. The King of Saxony is said to have had a garnet of over 465 carats. Plato had his portrait engraved on a piece of garnet by a Roman engraver.  

 

Bohemia, now part of Czechoslovakia, was a tremendous source of garnet - the industry practically ran the country. Bohemian castles & churches had magnificent interiors decorated with Garnet. In fact, Bohemian garnets are famous even today. Bohemia is known for their small, but beautiful, stones that are set close to each other. Garnet jewelry is still found in Czech Republic, with the stones still arranged in the traditional, tightly joined way. This type of setting was popular because it brings attention to the classic beauty of the stones. 

 

In Spanish astrology, the garnet once represented the sun. The term “carbuncle” was often used in ancient times to refer to red garnets - the word refers to a boil or blister. Carbuncle was thought to be one of the four precious stones given to King Soloman by God. 

 

Centuries later, from 23 to 79 AD, red garnets were among the most widely traded gems. Later, during the Middle Ages (475 to 1450 AD), red garnet was favored by clergy & nobility. The stones were though to cure depression, protect against bad dreams, & relieve diseases of the liver, as well as hemorrhages.  

 

Garnet has played a part in many different religious texts. Legend has it, Noah used a finely cut glowing garnet to illuminate the ark during the dark & wet days & nights. Hebrew writers include the garnet as one of the 12 gems in Aaron’s breastplate. Christian tradition considered the blood red garnet as a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice. The Koran holds the garnet illuminates the Fourth Heaven of the Moslems.  

 

This deep red gemstone is symbolic of a quick return & separated love - fHades had given a pomegranate to Persephone before she left him to ensure her speedy return. Therefore, Garnet may be given to a beloved before embarking on a trip, as it is believed to heal the broken bond of lovers. 

 

Garnet has incredible physical & psychological healing powers, as well. Physically, Garnet is worn to enhance bodily strength, endurance, & vigor. It is widely believed to be extremely beneficial to wear a garnet when you must exert yourself. Garnet was also thought to relive skin conditions & regulate the heart & blood. The stone has long believed to cure heart palpitations, lung diseases, & various diseases of the blood.  

 

Psychologically, Garnet is a strong healer. Garnet’s virtues have been long believed to include passion, true friendship, fidelity, success, self-esteem, loyalty, devotion, energy, faith, consistency, & truth. The stone also sharpens your perception of yourself & other people. Garnet can ward off nightmares. Furthermore, the stone is said to inspire contemplation & truthfulness, & offers its wearer the power to protect their standing & possessions. 

 

 

 

We offer a brief version of this information in an elegant card format. You can find these cards on our page titled, 'Crystal Cards' or in the Crystal Card blog post where you can download & print it for yourself or add it to a gift! We will include a card with your order for every gemstone found in the pieces you've purchased, however, if two pieces contain the same gemstone we will only include one card. Let us know if you are gifting these earrings, so you can add one with your gift, as well. You can provide this information through the "Add A Note" section at purchase. 

For more instructions on how to "Add A Note," visit our FAQ's page. 

Iolite ⎆ Leadership・ Power・ Self Confidence 

 

The word iolite comes from the greek word which means "violet," referring to the color of the stone. It has been nicknamed the "water sapphire." In modern culture, it is known as the stone that is gifted on a 21st anniversary. 

According to legend, Iolite is known as the viking compass stone. During this time period finding the sun's position in the sky was critical in order to choose your route, ensure you're still on course, & determine what time it was. The vikings used thin slices of iolite as glare reducers & polarizing filters to ease their eyes when searching for the sun on cloudy days. Iolite behaves the same way a Polaroid does - it cancels out haze, mist, & clouds to make whatever is seen through it more clear. 

Iolite is known for its pleochroism, appearing deep blue from one direction, yellow-gray or blue from another direction, & almost colorless from a third direction. it can be found as small, water-worn crystals in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, & India. 

 

 

 

 

We offer a brief version of this information in an elegant card format. You can find these cards on our page titled, 'Crystal Cards' or in the Crystal Card blog post where you can download & print it for yourself or add it to a gift! We will include a card with your order for every gemstone found in the pieces you've purchased, however, if two pieces contain the same gemstone we will only include one card. Let us know if you are gifting these earrings, so you can add one with your gift, as well. You can provide this information through the "Add A Note" section at purchase. 

For more instructions on how to "Add A Note," visit our FAQ's page. 

Quartz ⎆ Wisdom・ Master Healer・Balance 

 

 

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in earth's crust. It is known as the "master healer" or "universal crystal." There are many different colored quartz minerals, but pure quartz, sometimes called "rock crystal," is colorless & clear. 

 

Clear quartz is historically known as the "ice of the gods" - it was ice frozen so hard that it could never unthaw. 

 

Egyptians used quartz to harness energy from the sky, sun, & stars. They would place it inside an oblisk*, inviting it to generate as much energy as possible. 

 

Quartz has been recognized as being piezoelectric, developing positive & negative charges on alternate prism edges, which is subjected to pressure or tension. The charges are proportional to the change in pressure. This ability makes quartz ideal for use with radios, TVs, & other communication equipment. 

 

*A structure created by Ancient Egyptians that we still use today; a rectangular pillar with a tapered top forming a pyramidion, erected to commemorate an individual or event & honor the gods; ex. Washington monument. 

 

 

 

 

We offer a brief version of this information in an elegant card format. You can find these cards on our page titled, 'Crystal Cards' or in the Crystal Card blog post where you can download & print it for yourself or add it to a gift! We will include a card with your order for every gemstone found in the pieces you've purchased, however, if two pieces contain the same gemstone we will only include one card. Let us know if you are gifting these earrings, so you can add one with your gift, as well. You can provide this information through the "Add A Note" section at purchase. 

For more instructions on how to "Add A Note," visit our FAQ's page. 

There are a few common terms used when describing gold jewelry -  

・Gold Plated 

・Gold Vermeil 

・Gold Filled 

・Solid Gold 

 

In this piece, we used a gold filled metal. Gold filled is the highest quality alternative to solid gold, with a higher gold content than both gold-plated & gold vermeil metals. It has almost 100x as much gold as gold-plated jewelry! The gold is mechanically bonded to the base metal, so it can’t rub off like gold-plated jewelry can. Gold fill has the same qualities as solid gold jewelry at a fraction of the cost.  

 

All of our gold fill jewelry is made with 14k gold. 

 

While it’s name implies the metal is filled with gold, the gold is actually on the outside. The term refers to a thick outer layer of durable, pressure-bonded, solid gold that covers a base metal, usually brass. The USA industry standard legally requires 5% of the metal be pure gold by weight.  

 

Gold-fill is your best option after solid gold for quality & durability. It will not flake off or turn your skin green. Gold fill is nickel free & hypoallergenic, making it a great option for people with sensitive skin.  

 

Hypothetically, gold-filled jewelry can last a lifetime. Actual longevity will depend on a number of factors, especially how you care for it. For details on how to care for your gold filled jewelry, see the specified drop down menu below. 

 

14k Gold Fill jewelry is not supposed to tarnish, at least for a long time. However, it is possible for gold-fill to tarnish under certain circumstances, though it should not do so easily. Exposing your jewelry to chemicals, such as bleach, certain people’s body chemistry, chlorine (pools & hot tubs), salt water, sweat, & certain products, such as perfume, hairspray, lotions, & sunscreen. For more details, see our FAQ section or blog post on 14k Gold Fill. 

 

Ultimately, gold-filled jewelry is perfect for everyday wear because it can handle the wear & tear of daily life, & is very affordable. It has almost 100x more gold than gold-plated, with the same qualities & durability as solid gold, but at an affordable price! 

 

For more detailed information on gold filled jewelry, see our FAQ page &  blog ☺︎ 

In theory, gold-filled jewelry should last a lifetime, however, it’s actual longevity depends a number of factors. The following care instructions will prolong your jewelry’s lifetime & keep it in optimal condition. 

Our pieces are relatively delicate & are not meant to be worn during harsh activities, such as sports, cleaning, gardening, etc.  

・Take your jewelry off when swimming in pools, hot tubs, or the ocean.  

Chlorine & salt water will degrade the metal, causing your jewelry to tarnish at an accelerated rate. However, wearing your gold-filled jewelry in the shower or bath is fine, as long you dry it off properly. 

・Apply makeup, lotion, hairspray, & perfume before you put on your jewelry.  

・Avoid excessive contact with sunscreen. The chemicals in sunscreen are harsh on most metals. 

・Take off your jewelry at the nail salon or when doing your nails at home. Nail polish remover is a harsh chemical that does not play well with gold-filled jewelry. 

・Take off your jewelry before participating in activities that will cause heavy sweating. Some people’s body chemistry (which is affected by many factors, including hormones, medications) is more harsh on jewelry than others. Only ~10% of people find their body does not pair well with gold jewelry, however, better safe than sorry! Removing your jewelry before working out, tanning, etc. will ensure your jewelry will remain in pristine condition.  

・Remove your jewelry before cleaning. Harsh chemicals found in cleaning products, such as bleach, can degrade even the strongest of metals.  

 

・Clean your jewelry as soon as it starts to look dingy.  

▹ Soak your jewelry in a bath of lukewarm water & mild dish soap for 10-15 minutes.  

▹ Use a soft cloth to wipe your jewelry off, pat it dry, then lay it out until it is fully dry before wearing or storing it.  

▹ For a deep clean that will remove dirt from your jewelry’s nooks & crannies you can use a soft brush, such as a child’s toothbrush.  

▹ Our favorite jewelry cleaning tool is the ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, which removes dirt & grime by vibrating your jewelry in a warm water + soapy solution.  

 

For more information on how to care for your jewelry visit our FAQ page & our 14k gold fill blog posts ☺︎