Bertal Flores Trinket Necklace

Bertal Isabel Caceres Flores, a member of the Lenca people of Honduras, fought to preserve the natural world around her in one of the most dangerous countries to be an environmental activist. She has tackled issues, such as illegal logging & environmental destruction caused by plantations & dams.

She was awarded the 2015 Goldman Environmental Prize for her grassroot campaign that resulted in the world's largest dam builder pulling out a project at the Rio Gualcarque. The developers had broken international law by not consulting with local tribes, who were concerned the dam would prevent Lenca communities from accessing water, food, & materials for medicine. 

Tragically, her work led to her assassination in 2016. Flores knew her life was at risk for years; in 2013 she said, "I want to live, there are many things I still want to do in this world, but I have never once considered giving up fighting for our territory for a life with dignity, because our fight is legitimate." 

We name this nature inspired necklace in rememberance of this environmental warrior.

Garnet ⎆ Protection ・ Vitality ・ Love

The word "garnet" comes from the Latin word "grants," which means seed or grain, most likely referencing the seeds of the pomegranate fruit. In Greek mythology, Persephone, the goddess of vegetation, was kidnapped by Hades, the god of the underworld. She could only return to the surface world if she didn't eat any of the food in the realm. Since she ate pomegranate seeds, she had to remain for so many months in the year, which resulted in the months of winter.

The stone's association with pomegranate seeds has come to stand for the protection of a friend or loved one. Garnets were said to protect travelers on journeys & were often exchanged between friends as tokens that they would meet again.

Herkimer Diamond ⎆ Strength・ Intuition・ Attunement 

 

Herkimer Diamonds are a type of Quartz, first discovered in Herkimer, NY some time in the 18th century. Though found relatively recently, this stone is estimated to be over 500 million years old. They stand out from other quartz gemstones due to their shape, with a hexagonal structure containing 6 faces on each point and 6 more faces in the center of the stone. Although all Herkimers are double pointed quartz, not all double pointed quartz are Herkimers. Known as the 'Stone of Attunement', Herkimer Diamonds will help the wearer with harmonization into any environment or group, as well as amplifying the minerals surrounding it. It is said to help clear blocked energy, as well as to aid spiritual abilities and to keep a spiritual connection between two people, even over long distances.  

Herkimer Diamonds can be used as an April birthstone instead of a real diamond, and can also be helpful to those born under the banner of Sagittarius. Sagittarians are known for their dynamic energy and their playful spirits, but they can be fiery and have a tendency to over-promise. The light-seeking serenity sharpening tool of the Herkimer Diamond can bring all of this into balance. As it's a style of quartz and an amplifying stone, all signs will find they can elevate their strengths with the Herkimer Diamond. 

Gold plated jewelry offers a budget-friendly option to buying pure gold jewelry. It gives you the look & style without the high price tag that comes with gold, & is the ideal jewelry you don’t plan to wear on a daily basis. 

Gold plating is a process where a thin layer of pure gold is bonded onto a base metal. Once plated, it is almost impossible to tell real gold from gold plated jewelry by just looking at it.

There is a drawback to choosing gold plated jewelry - tarnishing & fading are common issues you will encounter. The layer of 24k gold is hypoallergenic & nickel-free, however, when this layer eventually wears out, the base layer becomes exposed, which often contains nickel.

The best jewelry to use gold-plate in are earrings, charms, & pendants, as they are sheltered from heavy wear & tear & will last longer.

On average, gold plate jewelry will last an average 2-5 years with proper care. Caring for your jewelry will prolong the life of your gold-plated jewelry.
See the drop down menu below for detailed care instructions.

 

For more detailed information on 24k gold plated jewelry see our FAQ’s page & blog posts.

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 plated jewelry, see our FAQ page &  blog ☺︎

 

Gold is one of the most valuable resources in the world & will last a long time, as long it is care for properly. 

 

In theory, gold-filled jewelry should last a lifetime, however, it’s actual longevity depends a number of factors. 

 

Gold plated jewelry tarnishes more easily because the plating is a very thin layer of solid gold on top of a base metal, which makes the piece of jewelry stronger & less likely to bend. Over time, the base metal will come to the surface, causing the metal & the gold to discolor. Taking the proper steps can prevent this from happening, prolonging the life of your gold plate jewelry.

 

Make sure to read the entire instruction, as there are some methods in this section that should only be used on your 14k gold filled chain.

 

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 or gold-plated 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 it remains 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. 
{ DO NOT use a polishing cloth on your gold plated charms. This will strip the plating away ⇢ In order to maintain your charm's shine, use an abrasive free, lint-free, soft cloth or chamois to wipe them down }

▹ Need to remove dirt from your chain's nooks & crannies? Use a soft brush, such as a child’s toothbrush, to loosen any gunk that has become trapped in your chain.
{ DO NOT scrub your charms with this brush - only use it on the chain! }

▹ Our favorite jewelry cleaning tool is the ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, which removes dirt & grime by vibrating your jewelry in a warm water + soapy solution. Both your gold filled & gold plated jewelry can be submerged in this machine.

 

For more information on how to care for your jewelry visit our FAQ page & blog