Dr. Mainzer Sapphire & 14k Gold Fill Ecliptic Earrings
- Sapphire
- 14k Gold Fill
These sapphire earrings are the perfect addition to any outfit - dressed up or down! The neutral colors of the sparkling sapphires make them easy to pair with other pieces.
Ecliptic Collection
The Ecliptic Collection is centered around the circle. Respected as a sacred symbol by virtually every culture, this universal character has an incredible history & prolific meaning, with roots in nature, culture, & life. Pythagoras, the ancient Greek philosopher, called it "the most creative form." Just as circles throughout time have provoked thought & inspired meaning, so have those in our work. The circles in this collection are symbolic of our evolving experience & creativity - what we hope to be a never ending journey.
These 14k gold fill earrings are perfect for those who have sensitive skin. All of the metal components are hypoallergenic & with proper care, will not tarnish, turn, or stain your skin!
For more information on 14k gold filled metals & how to care for this type of jewelry, check out our information sections below.
Every earring pair is made with natural gemstones of the same shape & size, however, the color of the earrings may vary slightly.
Find out the history, lore, & healing powers of Sapphires in the information sections at the bottom of the page.
Dr. Amy Mainzer is an iconic woman who has made a significant impact on the world through her groundbreaking work in the field of astronomy and space exploration. Born on January 2, 1974, in the United States, Dr. Mainzer has become a trailblazer and a role model for women in STEM fields.
Dr. Mainzer's passion for science and space began at a young age. She excelled academically and pursued her studies at Stanford University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics. She furthered her education at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where she obtained her Ph.D. in Astronomy.
Throughout her career, Amy has focused on studying asteroids and comets, aiming to understand their nature, composition, and potential risks they may pose to Earth. Her work has been instrumental in advancing our knowledge of these celestial bodies and developing strategies for planetary defense. She has made significant contributions to the field of infrared astronomy, utilizing innovative technologies to detect and characterize near-Earth objects.
One of Dr. Mainzer's most notable achievements is her leadership of the NEOWISE mission at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). NEOWISE, an extension of the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission, has been instrumental in discovering and tracking thousands of asteroids and comets, providing invaluable data for scientific research and planetary defense efforts.
However, it is her involvement in a groundbreaking project to prevent an asteroid collision that truly showcases Dr. Mainzer's impact. Recognizing the potential danger of a sizeable asteroid on a collision course with Earth, Dr. Mainzer played a key role in the development of a mission that involved blowing up the asteroid to divert its path. Through meticulous calculations, innovative technologies, and collaboration with international partner, Dr. Mainzer's team successfully executed the mission, averting a catastrophic event and saving countless lives.
Dr. Amy Mainzer's dedication, brilliance, and groundbreaking research have earned her numerous accolades and honors. She has become an inspiration for women and girls interested in pursuing careers in STEM, breaking barriers, and demonstrating the immense talent and potential that women possess in the field of astronomy and space science.
Dr. Mainzer's tireless efforts to understand and protect our planet from potential asteroid impacts, combined with her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in science, solidify her status as an iconic woman who has made a lasting impact on the world. Her work serves as a testament to the power of scientific inquiry and the vital role that women play in shaping our understanding of the universe and safeguarding our planet's future.
Sapphire ⎆ Royalty・ Protection・ Strength
Sapphire is a gemstone associated with royalty. It is believed to attract abundance, blessings, & gifts. It has been used to protect against negative energies, as well as calm the mind, strengthen intuition, & invite spiritual clarity.
furthermore, sapphire has a connection to romance.
Blue sapphire can be used to enhance self expression. It can help you become more aware of your own responsibility for your thoughts & feelings. It is said to enhance your integrity & wisdom.
Wearing sapphires can shift your personal Feng Shui energy. Wearing them around your neck is beneficial if you would like to work on expressing yourself. Sapphire has also been worn to protect from evil & harm.
To the ancient & mid evil world, sapphires signified the height of celestial hope & faith, & was thought to bring protection, good fortune, & spiritual insight. It was a symbol of power & strength, as well as kindness & wise judgement.
We offer a brief version of this information in an elegant card format. You can find these cards on our page titled, 'Crystal Cards' or in the Crystal Card blog post where you can download & print it for yourself or add it to a gift! We will include a card with your order for every gemstone found in the pieces you've purchased, however, if two pieces contain the same gemstone we will only include one card. Let us know if you are gifting these earrings, so you can add one with your gift, as well. You can provide this information through the "Add A Note" section at purchase.
For more instructions on how to "Add A Note," visit our FAQ's page.
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 ☺