Malala Yousafzai Necklace

“I tell my story not because it is unique, but because it is the story of many girls.” 

Malala Yousafzai was born in Pakistan on July 12, 1997. Yousafzai’s father was a teacher and ran an all-girls school in her village, however when the Taliban took over her town they enforced a ban on all girls going to school. In 2012, at the age of 15, Malala publicly spoke out on women’s rights to education and as a result, a gunman boarded her school bus and shot the young activist in the head. 

Malala survived. 

Yousafzai moved to the UK where she has become a fierce presence on the world stage and became the youngest ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, at 17 years old. Malala is currently studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Oxford. 

 

 

This mini bio was sourced from Milly Haddrick's Marie Claire article entitled '12 of the Most Famous Women in History' 

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. 

Miyuki Delica Glass Seed Beads have been considered the world standard for seed beads due to their high quality, brilliance, & uniform shape. They are sought after by fashion designers & bead artisans all over the world. Miyuki beads are known for how uniform they are - the edges & size are perfectly squared, lining up & fitting into place when used in beaded pieces.  

 

These particular beads are plated with 24k gold. Due to the bead's tiny size & glass base, the 24k gold must be painted or dipped to coat the bead. In order to keep your Miyuki beads in pristine condition, check out our care instructions in the information box below ♡ 

Miyuki Delica Glass Seed Beads are the highest quality seed beads available - sought after by jewelers & artists alike. While the 24k gold plated Miyukis are superior, they are a bit more delicate due to the technique in which the gold is bonded to the bead. 

 

The gold plating will never change or fade due to bright sun, time related factors, or cleaning. However, the plating may begin to deteriorate from contact with acidic materials or constant friction. It is important to take off your jewelry containing these beads in between events - you don't want to sleep, shower, swim, etc. with these pieces on.  

 

We have listed a number of ways you can prolong the life of your jewelry made with 24k gold plated Miyuki seed beads - 

・Clean your pieces relatively frequently - without water. 

▹ Clean them at least once per year 

▹ Clean your most loved pieces every 3-6 months. 

・Use an abrasive free, lint-free, soft cloth or chamois to wipe your gold plate jewelry - in order to maintain its shine.  

▹ Start by gently rubbing the surface & then clean/spot treat as needed.  

▹ DO NOT use a polishing cloth - this will strip away the plating.  

 

・Need to deep clean your gold plated jewelry? This should be an infrequent task - only do so when necessary!  

Follow these steps: 

step one. Soak your gold plated jewelry for a few minutes in a solution of   [ lukewarm water + mild dish soap or detergent ] 

step two. Rinse & wipe your piece clean. 

step three. Lay it out to ensure it dries properly before wearing or storing it.  

▹ DO NOT use antibacterial soap - chemicals in the soap can cause your jewelry to tarnish.  

 

・Avoid unnecessary contact with water.  

▹ Take off your gold plated jewelry when swimming or showering.  

▹ Chlorine, salt water, & fresh water will damage your gold plate jewelry prematurely - dulling & eroding the metal. 

▹ Soapy water from your bath or shower will leave a thin film on your jewelry, dulling its shine. 

・Gold plated jewelry should be the last thing you put on. 

▹ Make sure to apply perfume, makeup, lotions, sunscreen, deodorants, hairspray & the like FIRST. All of these products contain chemicals that are harsh on any metal. 

▹ Certain perfumes have chemicals in them that will cause a reaction similar to oxidation. In Lamen’s Terms, it will cause your jewelry to turn black. While it is reversible, it can be shocking if you’re not expecting it. 

▹ Putting on your jewelry after you apply these products will prevent your it from any unnecessary contact with these chemicals. 

・Store your gold-plated jewelry in a jewelry box, pouch, or case to prevent tarnishing or fading.  

▹ This will keep your jewelry from being exposed to the elements, such as humidity & heat, which can speed up the tarnishing process, alter the plating, or cause them to become discolored.  

▹ Store your jewelry individually or keep them somewhat separated, so they do not bang up against each other, which would cause them to scratch or chip the finish.  

 

Ultimately, it is about keeping your jewelry away from the elements - water, sweat, salt, chemicals, & humidity. If cared for properly, gold plated jewelry will last on average 2-5 years.