Chien-Shiung Wu Droplet Necklace

Born in Liu Ho, China in 1912, Chien-Shiung Wu was recruited to Columbia University as part of the Manhattan Project. Working as senior scientist on the atom bomb in 1943, she conducted research on radiation detection and uranium enrichment.  

In the mid-1950s, Wu was approached by two theoretical physicists, Tsung-Dao Lee and Chen Ning Yang. They wanted help disproving the law of conservation of parity (which stated that two mirrored physical systems, such as atoms, behave in identical ways and do not differentiate between left and right).  

Using the chemical isotope cobalt-60, Wu showed that the laws of nature were not always symmetrical, disproving the law that had been accepted for more than 30 years. Despite Wu's key contribution to the finding, only Yang and Lee received the Nobel Prize in 1957 for the discovery.  

 

 

 

This mini bio was sourced from the article '11 Bold Women Who Changed the World', written by Brynn Holland 

Carnelian symbolizes bold energy, warmth, & joy that lingers as much as it empowers & stimulates. It is known for being a stone of courage, endurance, leadership, & motivation. 

Ancient Egyptians called carnelian “the setting sun” because it’s orange hues lend to more female, passive, & receptive qualities. The stone links to the rich & fertile menstrual blood of Isis, a major goddess in old religion. 

However, when the stone’s hues are redder, red-orange, or reddish-brown, it became an active male energy stone. It is traditionally worn to enhance desire, love, & passion. 

Carnelian is said to help fearful speakers become bold & eloquent. In ancient times, warriors wore carnelian crystals around their neck to enhance physical power in combat. Master architects in Ancient Egypt wore them to show their ranks, & in the Middle Ages alchemists boiled the stone to activate the energies of other chalcedonies. As the first stone in the High Priests’ breastplates, carnelians symbolizes the blood of the martyrs & kept illness & plague at bay. 

Peridot  ⎆  Calming ・Detoxification ・ Peace 

 

Peridot is a lime green stone that is the most popular August birthstone, the stone given to celebrate the 16th year of marriage, & is a crystal with many links to nature. It is made of olivine, which is found in lava rocks. In Oahu, Hawaii, small pieces of Peridot wash onshore near volcanic areas. 

 

The history behind Peridot is vast, starting with its discovery as early as 1500 BC according to ancient papyri. The main source of peridot in the ancient world was Topazo Island (now St. John’s) in the Egyptian Red Sea. Island habitants were forced to collect the gems for the Pharaoh’s treasury. It was mined for over 3,500 years on St. John’s. As late as the 19th Century, the Kedhive of Egypt had a monopoly on the mines. At one point, the island’s exact whereabouts became a mystery for several centuries, until being rediscovered in 1905. The island is often shrouded in fog, making it difficult for ancient navigators to find.  

 

During the 19th century, the mines on St. John’s produced millions of dollars worth of Peridot. After 1905, production of the gem peaked, but by the late 1930’s it tapered off to practically nothing, reaching a virtual stand still in 1958 when the mines were nationalized.  

 

At one point in time, European cathedrals included some fine, large Peridots. Unfortunately, wars & pillage have dispersed many of them. The ones that disappeared probably exist today, however, they have most likely been cut down to a smaller size & set in jewelry.  

 

One famous large Peridot gem adorned the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in the cathedral at Cologne. For centuries it was believed to be an emerald & was only identified as a Peridot in the last century. This discovery has led historians to believe the emeralds Cleopatra was famous for wearing were not actually emeralds, but Peridot from Egypt.  

 

Peridot is known as an “Evening Emerald,” due to it’s glowing light green color under artificial light. 

 

Throughout history, many legends reveal the strong magical power Peridot possesses. It is said that if the gem is set in gold it will develop its full potential, dispelling terrors of the night, fears, & bad dreams. Pliny the Elder, the great Roman authority on such matters, believed Peridot must be worn on the right arm to work their strongest magic. Other legends consider Peridot to be an aid to friendship, protector from the evil eye, & could bring happiness & cheer, attract lovers, & strengthen the eye of the beholder. 

 

Other ancient myths describe Peridot’s journey to Earth was by a sun’s explosion. Incredibly enough these myths were not too far off - some peridot crystals have been found in rare pallasite meteorites that are 4.5 billion years old. In 1749, a meteorite that landed in a desolate area of Siberia was found to contain may pieces of Peridot crystals large enough to be set into jewelry! 

 

The color of the Peridot stone is directly related to the parts of the body it can be of aid to. It is believed to cure diseases of the liver & assist with difficulties in digestion. It helps with detoxification & alleviating illness in the kidneys, gall bladder, bladder, & stomach. Peridot can heal ulcers, constipation, IBS, & the like. It is also useful in healing insect bites. Psychologically, Peridot is a wonderful stone to help with those suffering from depression. Known as a “Stone of Lightness,” it counters the effects of negative emotions. Peridot fosters emotional balance, security, & inner peace. It soothes anxiety, heals emotional & physical pain, & lightens suffering. The crystal calms & balances the nervous system by dissolving emotional tension. It alleviates jealousy, resentment, & spite.  

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.  

Fluorite ⎆ Clarity • Transformation • Peace 

 

The fluorite stone received its name from the fluorescent luminance that it emits when held under certain angles of UV light, giving it a magical glowing appearance. This enigmatic crystal can be found in a wide variety of different shades and colors, and each of them are as captivating as the next. Fluorite is a stone heralded for its spiritual detoxification abilities and tendency to transform negative energy into positive energy, boosting our mental clarity and promoting peace of mind.  

The origin of the word “fluorite” comes from the Latin word flux, which means to flow interchangeably. This word both refers to the way in which fluorite’s colors seem to shift and blend in the light, as well as the way it unblocks stagnant energy and promotes energetic flow.  

For those of us that struggle to let go of worries and anxieties, the fluorite stone can be very useful. Its powerful cleansing energy clears out old thoughts and patterns so that clarity, peace, and healthy change can occur. Because of its naturally neutralizing effect, fluorite can help sweep out old, stagnant energies and introduce freshness and clarity of mind.  

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 ☺︎