Angela Merkel Droplet Necklace

“She doesn’t need to win every argument. She doesn’t have to get in the last word. She quietly assesses the different factors involved in a given situation and then decides which way she wants to go, and does it quietly and without fanfare.” - George Packer

 

Trained as a quantum chemist, Merkel spent her first 35 years living in Soviet-controlled East Germany working at a state-run research center until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. That historic shift prompted Merkel to abandon scientific work and embrace a lifelong interest in politics, steadily ascending the ranks of a newly unified German government.

Elected chancellor in 2005, Merkel is the first woman and the first East German to hold her nation’s highest elective office, using her position to strengthen the European Union as a whole. When she steps down in 2021, she will be Germany’s second-longest-serving leader of the modern era, after her former mentor, Helmut Kohl (*). 

 

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. 

Iolite ⎆ Leadership・ Power・ Self Confidence 

 

The word iolite comes from the greek word ios, 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. 

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. 

Blue Topaz ⎆ Balance・ Self-Confidence・ Peace 

 

Blue Topaz is a brilliantly colored stone with a rich history. The name 'Topaz' relates to the Sanskrit word 'tapas', meaning fire, & Blue Topaz was believed by Ancient Egyptians to be where the Sun God Ra poured his powers. Tribes in the jungles of South America were known to stash away Blue Topaz, as it was considered to be a cure for all kinds of sickness. Additionally, in the middle ages, people also thought that Topaz had the power to break curses or unravel spells, meaning it was believed to be stronger than magic.  

Blue Topaz is most commonly associated with settling the mind. Great for people who experience high levels or stress or mental pressure, this stone is said to manifest a sense of peace in the wearer and will encourage mental growth and productivity. Clarity is also a strong property of this stone, helping the wearer with decision-making by keeping the mind free from outside clutter. The fire energy of Blue Topaz brings light, power, and the spark of creativity into your world.  

Led by Jupiter, Blue Topaz brings excellent benefits to Sagittarius wearers, balancing blunt honesty with thoughtful communication to combat sharp tones.  

Amethyst ⎆ Calm・ Positivity・ Decision Making 

 

Amethyst has been a celebrated stone since 25,000 BC in the ancient civilizations of Rome, Egypt, and Greece.  The story goes that Amethyst was actually a young virgin who found herself on the receiving edge of the Gods wrath when he was drunk. The young girl cried out to the Goddess Diana for help and the Goddess turned her into a shimmering pale stone. When Dionysus realized his folly, he wept into his wine glass and in his emotion overturned his goblet. The white stone soaked up the wine until it glowed a gentle purple hue. 

 
Amethyst means ‘not intoxicated’ and comes from the ancient Greek word – Amethystos. The Greeks, recognizing the grounding poignancy of the stone, thought they could use the crystal to protect them against intoxication and that wearing amethyst would keep them from falling down drunk. Drunken behavior is often associated with a muddy mind, high emotions and clumsy decisions. As the antidote to this, Amethyst is therefore associated with crystal clear clarity, deep contemplation, and a sense of control over life. 

At a base level, Amethyst is renowned for bringing a sense of calm and clarity to our chaotic world. Those who keep Amethyst close will find that they feel comforted, grounded and soothed in a truly uplifting way.It also works wonderfully for those who tend to be quick to anger as it effectively dissipates the growth of rage and replaces it with a halo of serenity that can be hard to cut through. 

While Amethyst works to sweep negativity away from clouding the mind, it also seems to trigger a spark that unveils our deepest wells of inspiration. When our mind is calm and focused we are able to tap into our creative mind and unveil all those ideas and interests that were stashed behind the wall of inner chaos. 

Agate  ⎆ Self Confidence ・ Intuition ・ Balance 

Agate comes from the rock formation class of Chalcedony & Quartz. It comes in a number of varieties patterns, & colors. 

Known as the "Gemstone of Inward Journeys," agate is used for strengthening your physical & emotional health. Physically, it helps boost your metabolism, alleviate stomach & digestion issues. Emotionally, agate lifts your self confidence - perfect for those who struggle with decision making & encourages the wearer tolook inwards for answers rather than turning to external forces. 

Agate was first found by Ancient Greek philosopher Theophrastus in Sicily's Achates River. The stone was used to ward off all kinds of evil, to heal snake bites & scorpion stings, to calm raging storms, & to bring victory in times of war. 

Agate has been used since ancient times by cultures all over the world. Persian magicians used agate to control thunder & lightening. In Chinese medicine, agate was used to stir up one's own chi. 

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 ☺