Rosa Parks Droplet Necklace

Rosa Parks is best known for initiating the civil rights movement in the US when she refused to give her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama bus in 1955. This event led to the organization of the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Martin Luther King, Jr. The boycott lasted over one year, ending only when the US Supreme Court deemed bus segregation as unconstitutional. Parks became a nationally recognized symbol of dignity & strength during the struggle to end racial segregation. 

Rosa Parks' refusal to surrender her seat may have been the most famous event of that kind, but it wasn't the first. Claudette Colvin was only 15 years old when she refused to relinquish her seat to a white passenger. In another instance, Aurelia Browder, Mary Louise Smith, & Susie McDonald failed to abide by the bus segregation law prior to Rosa Parks. All four of these women were plaintiffs in the Browder vs. Gayle court case that resulted in the Supreme Court ruling bus segregation unconstitutional.  

The day Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat made her a famous civil rights activist, however, she was an activist before then. Rosa Parks was a member of the Montgomery chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, also known as the NAACP. In fact, at the time of her arrest she was the secretary of the local NAACP chapter & had attended a workshop for social & equal justice previously. She worked closely with chapter president Edgar Daniel Nixon, a railroad porter known in the city as an advocate for African Americans who demanded voter registration. Although she knew the NAACP was looking for a member to test the constitutionality of the Jim Crow law, she had not considered her self to be that person. "If I had been paying attention I wouldn't have even gotten on that bus," Rosa Parks wrote in her autobiography. Though she had previous experience in civil rights activism, she had not planned any part of what was to come. 

On Thursday, December 1, 1955 Rosa Parks boarded the bus on her way home from work. To avoid being subjected to the demeaning segregation laws, African American residents tried to  steer clear of municipal busses. However, over 70% of the people that rode the bus everyday during this time were African American. She hadn't realized it, but the driver of the bus she had just boarded was James Blake. Blake had thrown Rosa out of a bus in 1943 after she had attempted to re-enter the vehicle through the back door after she paid her fare at the front. After that experience she promised herself she would never get on a bus Blake was driving again. Unfortunately, this day she wasn't paying attention. Once the "Whites Only" section of the bus had filled up, the beginning rows of the African American section were supposed to be reserved for white people. When Rosa & 3 other people were asked to get up so a white person could sit down, the other 3 people got up & moved while Rosa Parks remained seated. Rumor had it that Rosa didn't get up because she was tired after a long day at work, but she refuted this statement in her autobiography, revealing she wasn't tired from working, but tired of giving in.  

When Rosa wouldn't get up she was arrested. She used her one phone call in jail to contact her husband. At this point word had spread of her arrest & E. D. Nixon was there when Rosa was released on bail later that night. Nixon was elated that Rosa, a courageous Black person of unquestioned honesty & integrity was the plaintiff in a case that would become the test of the validity of segregation laws -- she was exactly who the NAACP was looking to enlist. While they discussed her position, the idea of the bus boycott came to mind. On the day of Rosa's trial, no one would ride the bus. 35,000 flyers were sent home with Black school children informing their parents of the boycott.  

Rosa was found guilty of violating segregation laws, given a suspended sentence, & fined $10 + $4 for court fees. Meanwhile, participation in the boycott was far greater than anyone ever expected! Nixon & some ministers formed the Montgomery improvement Association (MIA), appointing Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr as the MIA president.  

As appeals & lawsuits made their way through the US Supreme Court, the Montgomery Bus Boycott had outraged most of Montgomery's white population, who responded with violence. The brutality didn't deter the boycott leaders. It did, however, draw attention to the movement, eventually gaining national & international press. 

On November 13, 1956 the Supreme Court ruled that bus integration was unconstitutional & the boycott ended December 20, one day after the Court's written order arrived in Montgomery.  

Rosa, who had lost her job & endured vicious harassment throughout the past year was now considered "the mother of the civil rights movement." 

As she continued to face harassment & threats, the Parks family decided to move to Detroit, where Rosa's brother lived. In 1965, Rosa became an administrative aide in the Detroit office of Congressman John Conyers, Jr. where she remained until her retirement in 1988. In 1987, she co-founded the Rosa & Raymond Parks Institute for Self-Development, to serve Detroit's Youth.  

Pearls ⎆Fortune ・ Protection ・ Balance 

According to history & myths, pearls are Symbolic of wisdom gained through experience. The gems are believed to offer protection, as well as attract good luck & wealth. They are well known for their calming effects. Pearls have a way of bringing balance to your karma. 

During ancient times, the Japanese believed the tears of mythical creatures, such as mermaids, nymphs, & angels, created pearls. 

According to one Persian pearl myth, the gems were created after a storm. That’s when a rainbow came down from the sky & met with the earth. Lightning & thunder we’re said to be the reasons for the pearls imperfections. 

In ancient Egypt, people were buried with their pearls due to their high value. Legend has it that cleopatra took the gem from one of her pearl earrings. She then dissolved it & drank it. This was done to show Roman politician mark Antony that the entire nations wealth could be devoured in one single gulp. 

Citrine  ⎆  Manifestation ・ Imagination・ Joy 

Citrine is a transparent form of quartz that ranges from a pale golden yellow, its most natural form, to honey or even brown, and may contain rainbow or sparkle inclusions. Known to attract positivity and wealth, citrine has been found in jewelry as far back as 300 BC in Ancient Greece, and is said to have been used in antiquity as a cure for bilious disorders, jaundice, and other diseases of the liver. Citrine was not made a relic in later years, being popularized by Queen Victoria in the 17th century and again by Greta Garbo during the art deco era of Hollywood fashion.  

Citrine is said to hold the power of the sun, and provide warmth, comfort, and energy to the wearer. Nicknamed 'The Merchant's Stone', citrine is a stone of abundance and manifestation that attracts positivity, prosperity, wealth, and happiness. Not only does it attract affirmation and affluence, it is also unable to hold any negative energy and will transmute those adverse into feelings of optimism and self-worth.  

Zodiac signs associated positively with citrine are Aires, Leo, and Libra. Wearing citrine in a bracelet leaves no barrier between the stone and your skin, allowing your body to absorb as much positive energy as possible.  

Amethyst, Agate, Fluorite, Labradorite, and Sunstone all beautifully compliment the physical and spiritual properties of citrine.  

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. 

 

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 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 ☺︎