Alice Coachman Ecliptic Earrings

Alice Coachman was the first African American woman from any country to win an Olympic gold medal. Growing up in the segregated South, she overcame discrimination & unequal access to inspire generations of other black athletes to reach for their athletic goals. 

 

Born in Albany, Georgia to a family of ten children, Alice worked hard to help provide for her family. When she wasn’t going to school, picking cotton, supplying corn to local mills, &/or selling plums & pecans, she was playing sports. Unfortunately, women in sports was not a popular idea at this time. There were some “ladylike” sports, such as tennis or swimming, however, those were not the sports Coachman wanted to play. She had to fight the public, as well as her father, so that she could compete. Her father went so far as to whip her for pursuing athletics instead of sitting on the porch looking “dainty.”

 

This didn’t stop Coachman from running or playing softball & baseball. However, she didn’t see a future in it - a career in music or dance was more practical. It wasn’t until one of her fifth grade teachers & her aunt encouraged her to continue running. By the 7th grade Coachman was named one of the best athletes in all of Albany - boy or girl. Her achievements weren’t enough for her to receive equal opportunity or access to the best training facilities. She was also not allowed to train with any white children or use their facilities. Instead, Coachman trained on her own, running barefoot on dusty roads to improve her stamina & using sticks & to practice the high jump. 

 

While competing for her high school track team at a meet in Albany, she caught the attention of a coach from the Tuskegee Institute, one of the earliest Historically Black Colleges. The coach asked Coachman’s parents if she could train with the high school team during the summer. Coachman ended up transferring to Tuskegee in her sophomore year to complete high school. 

 

In 1943 she started attending the Tuskegee Institute college division to study dressmaking while continuing to complete for the schools track & field team & basketball team. As a member of the track & field team she won 4 national championships for sprinting & the high jump.

 

At this point Coachman was one of the best track & field competitors in the country winning national titles in the 50m, 100m, & 400m relay. From 1939 to 1948 she won the American national title for the high jump. Friends, peers, & family started pushing for her to try out for the Olympics, However, for many of her successful years the Olympics was out of reach due to WWII. 

 

Once the war was over, Coachman was hesitant to try out. She eventually attended the trials & while completing with a back injury, she destroyed the existing US high jump record.

 

At the London Games in 1948, Coachman competed for her Olympic gold in the high jump. She became the Gold Medalist when she set a new Olympic record as she cleared the 5’ 6 1/8” bar on her first attempt. King George VI of Great Britain put the medal around her neck. Coachman became the first African American woman to win Olympic gold, as well as the only American woman to win a gold medal at the 1948 Olympic Games.

 

Upon her return to the US, she was celebrated. Count Basie, the famous jazz musician, threw her a party. President Truman congratulated her. She got a 175 mile motorcade from Atlanta to Albany & an “Alice Coachman Day” in Georgia to celebrate her accomplishment. However, these celebrations were bittersweet as they occurred in the segregated South. Fans sat in a segregated crowd, the white mayor of Atlanta sat on stage with Coachman, but wouldn’t shake her hand, & she had to leave her own celebration out of the side door. 

 

After the 1948 Olympics Coachman’s track career ended at the age of 24. She completed her degree at Albany State College with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics & a minor in science in 1949. She then became an elementary & high school teacher & track coach. 

In 1952, Coachman became the 1st African American female to endorse an international consumer brand, Coca Cola.

 

Coachman was inducted into 9 Halls of Fame, including the National Track & Fiel Hall of Fame (1975) & the US Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame (2004). 

In 1994 she started the Alice Coachman Track & Field Foundation to aid young athletes & former competitors with financial need. 

 

Alice Coachman died on July 14, 2014 at the age of 90.

 

Rothberg, Emma. “Alice Coachman.” National Women’s History Museum, 2022. August 17, 2022

 

Ruby Zoisite ⎆ Happiness・ Positivity・ Harmony

Also known as anyolite, ruby zoisite contains both the fiery properties of the ruby  as well as the earthy properties of zoisite. This combination of stones helps the manifestation of ideas and will provide the strength and assistance in accomplishing your dreams. By giving the wearer a confidence boost, ruby zoisite can give you the courage and fortitude needed to overcome stress and difficulties in your personal and professional life. These properties can also enhance a positive energy flow which will in turn help with various physical and emotional complaints. By harmonizing your emotional and mental energies, ruby zoisite forms a connection between your heart and your brain which helps balance and stabilize your emotions from within. 

Ruby zoisite was first discovered in the Longido district of Tanzania, and has been regarded as one of the most vibrant colored of all ornamental stones. Lore surrounding the stone suggests that it has psychic and spiritual powers, containing a vibration that produces an altered state of consciousness, making it a stone of nobility and known as the most magnificent stone of all stones.

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.

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 ☺