Maya Angelou Droplet Necklace

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

Maya Angelou is one of the most influential women in American history and was a poet, singer, memoirist, and civil rights activist, whose award-winning memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings made literary history as the first nonfiction best-seller by an African-American woman. 

Angelou had a difficult childhood. As a black woman growing up in Stamps, Arkansas, Maya experienced racial prejudices and discrimination all throughout her life. At the age of seven, Angelou was assaulted by her mother’s boyfriend, who was then killed by her uncles as revenge. The incident traumatised Angelou to the point that she became a virtual mute for many years. 

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings as well as her other works have been one of the loudest voices in the civil rights movement, and explore subjects such as identity, rape, racism, and literacy, and illustrate how strength of characterand a love of literature can help overcome racism and trauma. 

 

 

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

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. 

Rutilated Quartz ⎆Divine Inspiration ・ Intuition ・ Creativity 

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. 

 

Rutilated quartz contains needle-like inclusions of rutile, a mineral composed primarily of titanium dioxide + large amounts of iron oxide. This type of quartz can either be smoky or clear & sometimes even black, the color of the rutile inclusions will depend on the crystal’s iron oxide content. When iron oxide is high, the inclusions take on redder & often golden tones. Such inclusions can look like hay or strands of golden hair, hence it's common nickname 'Angel's Hair Quartz.' Inclusions may also be reddish-brown, coppery, silvery, or even black, with either threadlike or chunky striations.   

 

Rutilated quartz was not always considered valuable. Early miners & mineral sorters considered rutilated quartz to be worthless. Only clear quartz was considered to hold any value, leaving this type of quartz to be seen as tainted. It wasn't until the middle of 20th century that this began to change. Fashion designers & jewelry makers began to appreciated the ethereal beauty of rutilated quartz, sometimes even liking the shimmer found in the crystal to angel's hair. 

 

Symbolically, rutilated quartz is linked with the higher realms. It is though of as a stone of celestial power, elevating & illuminating the soul, amplifying intention & enhancing intuition.  

 

Due to the rutile & quartz contents of rutilated quartz, it contains the healing properties & benefits ofboth. This combined energy is so intense it is said to channel divine inspiration.  

 

Rutile quartz is known to foster clarity of thought, fuel spiritual creativity, promote greater insight, & guide decisive action. This is said to contribute to the crystal's ability to aid in manifesting all the positive desires of the wearer. It is often used by those seeking greater financial prosperity. 

 

Physical ailments known to be susceptible to the powers of rutilated quartz include 

• Bronchitis & other respiratory tract illnesses 

• Blood impurities & mercury poisoning 

• Chronic conditions like arthritis 

• Impotence & infertility 

• Fatigue 

• Thyroid imbalances 

• Phantom limb pain for amputees 

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. 

Cubic Zirconia ⎆  Focus・ Clarity・ Practicality 

 

 

Cubic Zirconia is a lab-grown gemstone, originally developed in the USSR for use in military applications involving optics or lasers. This diamond look-alike quickly took the world by storm in the 1970s, and remains a very popular, more affordable but just as lovely, gemstone. 

CZ is created using Zirconium, abundant in lunar and asteroid rock and highly resistant to corrosion, which gives this stone many of its metaphysical properties. Known as the "stone of practicality", some users employ CZ to remove illusion in certain circumstances or to drain selfishness. It is also said to promote clear vision pathways, and has been used to encourage a practical life view, allowing the wearer to see through challenging life events. CZ opens perspective to see the beauty, light, and the hidden significance in all. 

 

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. 

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.  

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. 

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. 

Kyanite ⎆  Healing ・ Dream Recall ・ Energy 

 

Kyanite is one of the most beautiful blue crystals in the natural world. It can come in solid blue, different shades of blue, & sometimes other colors, such as black, brown, white, gray, pink, green, & orange. This crystal was discovered & named by Abraham Werner in 1789 & it has been popular ever since. The word 'Kyanite' comes from the greek word for blue, cyanos. Some regions of the world spell it 'Cyanite' for this reason.  

Kyanite is an excellent stone for meditation & attunement. It will not retain any negative vibrations or energy. It provides balance of yin-yang energy & dispels blockages, moving energy gently through the body. 

Kyanite has a calming effect on the whole being, bringing tranquility. It encourages psychic abilities & communication on all levels. It drives away anger, frustration, confusion, & stress, & helps to provide capacity for linear & logical thought. 

Kyanite provides a stimulating energy, encouraging perseverance in support of activities & situations which would normally reduce ones strength. The gem induces dream recall & can promote healing dreams. 

Ancient stories tell us that Kyanite was used in the compass of travelers, as it was believed to possess the ability to follow the earth’s magnetic force, & it was therefore suspended from string or even human hair to allow movement. 

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 ☺︎