Queen Soraya Tarsi Necklace

When her husband became King of Afghanistan in 1926, Queen Soraya Tarzi stood against social norms and tradition by imploring her husband to dissolve his royal harem and free the enslaved women therein. This was only the first of many social reforms Queen Soraya implemented during her reign, including founding the first women’s organization in the country, as well as advocating for unveiling as well as the education of girls throughout cities and rural Afghanistan.

Moonstone  ⎆  Divine Energy ・ Relaxation ・ Creativity

For centuries the moon has been a symbol of the goddess spirit. Moonstone captures all of the magic the moon has to offer & more. It is a natural crystal mineral that is thought to harvest energy from the moon, which embodies yin’s passive & relaxing energy. The stone promotes positive well-being & balance, while enhancing your intuition. As the moon cycle connects us to nature, the moonstone also reminds us that our lives also ebb & flow. Moonstone cultivates compassion & empathy. It helps us tap into our intuition. Creative & intuitive power of feminine energy is activated by moonstone. It can help us balance & cool down emotions & tension. Moonstone energy is yin, introspective, receptive, & connected to our subconscious. The serene & tranquil energy of moonstone also invites creativity, restoration, & motherly protection.

In India, the Moonstone has a long history of being a tool of divine wisdom, offering skills of clairvoyance. In Ancient Rome, the moonstone was believed to be a shard of solid moonlight. It was said those who glanced into the stone could see the Goddess Diana & that the stone would bring love & fortune to those who wore it.

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 ☺︎

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 ☺︎

C-Lon Threads are a superior bead thread - essential for beading & jewelry making. It is a high quality, slightly flat, nylon monocord that is more durable than other brands of beading of thread. Even more, C-Lon Threads are permanently dyed & UV resistant, so the color will not fade or rub off.