Badge Trends?

[AZTheta]

/bit of a swerve/

Is it feasible to have a jeweler "cut up" an opal into smaller shapes to be inserted into a badge?

@Honey, I'll mail you some tortillas and beans, nom nom nom.

@thetygerlily, your new signature is just...just...just so YOU.

[honeychile]

I'm not so sure about the opals - they are sooooo delicate! But a call to a good jeweler should answer your question.

And thanks about the torillas & beans - "ulcer girl" here should really pass on the beans, though.

[AZTheta]

Opals: Thanks Honey, I'll look into it. I found a very lovely set of opals, and am thinking that YOU might want them, actually. But I'm not buying them if they can't be cut up.

As for the beans, well, there's always my personal favorite: tortilla soup with avocado and sour cream!

back to the regularly scheduled program...

[honeychile]

Thanks for thinking about me! Do you know if pearls can be cut down?

FWIW, I bought a pin from a local that has opals, and I need to see if they can be transfered. They're pretty tiny, though. I need to talk to my own jeweler, I guess!

[honeychile]

I have been the first to come down on certain pin-collecting-then-selling groups on that other site, so I need to tell y'all something.

The beautiful pearl with diamond points pin that I just bought? I also got an email to list with their MyStoreReward program. Today, I received a $4.45 rebate on the pin! I'd rather not mention their name here, but the initials are TLM.

So, I thought I'd share this, just in case someone else balks at using one vendor or another.

[Gusteau]

Here's a nice Delta Chi badge, it's not dated but I would guess post 1950. I have a similar gavel guard for my badge.



Once a few auctions end I'll have the pictures for a really fun post!

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by chrysoloras

Might be nice for you, but I guarantee that Roger, aka TheListingMonkey, or OnfireForJah, or whatever other ID he uses on eBay, paid about 2/3 of what you paid, even with the rebate!!! His ethics are absolutely despicable!! And he's even in a fraternity!! (chi psi in case anyone wondered!)

Nice pin, and glad you were able to pick it up, just wish you could have found it sooner...would have been cheaper.......

Chrysoloras
(no, i'm not bitter at that A**hole or anything.......

Oh, I know exactly what you mean! There's a site run by an ADPi, too. The prices are absolutely outrageous!

When I think of how many times I found a fraternity pin (never a sorority pin) at a flea market or whatever, and sent it back to its national headquarters!

[AZTheta]

I am considering a new badge. Toying with the idea, actually, to assuage my badge envy of the new Kappa and Alpha Xi badges.

I have a beautiful badge already (small crown, pearl border) and wear it often.

Honesty please: what do you all think of black stones (onyx?) as a border for a Theta badge? I would stick to yellow gold for the metal, maybe upgrade to 14K since it is a little more luminous to my eye.

I can't see myself wearing emeralds, turquoise, opals (don't even go there with me) or any of the red or blue stones. Topaz/citrine is not an option, but if it were, I'd definitely consider it. Wish there was a function on the website to virtually change the badge stones, but there isn't.

Diamonds - nope, not my style. I want something different and unique, but don't want it to look gaudy or otherwise unexpected.

[steelerbear]

Originally Posted by AzTheta

Honesty please: what do you all think of black stones (onyx?) as a border for a Theta badge? I would stick to yellow gold for the metal, maybe upgrade to 14K since it is a little more luminous to my eye.

Originally Posted by AzTheta

Honesty please: what do you all think of black stones (onyx?) as a border for a Theta badge? I would stick to yellow gold for the metal, maybe upgrade to 14K since it is a little more luminous to my eye.

I love it!! Onyx is wonderful, IMHO. It's a shame yellow topaz/citrine isn't an option, because those two colors together would be perfect for you! (I myself wouldn't mind a totally black & gold Phi Mu badge, but that's because I'm a Steelers fan ) The only "concern" I have is that it might actually take away the appearance of a border and make the enameled portion look humongous. On the other hand, with little slivers of gold (especially 14K) peeking out between the onyx, it could give you a whole other look that would just be tremendously gorgeous. It's a little hard for me to visualize, but I think I like the idea.

Wish there was a function on the website to virtually change the badge stones, but there isn't.

No kidding!! I've left that comment a few times on the HJGreek Facebook page. Maybe sometime in the future they'll give us that option, but until they find someone with mad computer skillz, I think we may be left with our imaginations and Photoshop.

[thetygerlily]

Originally Posted by AzTheta

Honesty please: what do you all think of black stones (onyx?) as a border for a Theta badge? I would stick to yellow gold for the metal, maybe upgrade to 14K since it is a little more luminous to my eye.

Hmm... kind of like this?


I agree, I don't know why they don't have all options listed- if you can get it in onyx, you should be able to see it!

At first I thought it would Look really strange- black against black with just a touch of gold showing. But based on the size of the sapphires, plenty of gold would show through. The onyx would look very similar to the enamel, just probably a bit glossier- is that what you're going for? I think the black stones actually make the gold look golder, but that could just be this particular picture. A true black & gold badge for sure

When I originally read your comment, I was kind of skeptical. After doing a rudimentary mockup, though, I think it could have a lot of potential. Although I'm leaning toward it, I think my jury is still out (mostly due to the novelty of it)... I wish they had a real picture!!

[thetygerlily]

Hmm. I think it's really growing on me, Maria.

ETA: If you've seen a Theta all-sapphire badge in person (I haven't), this may help... side by side I think the "onyx" really stands out in a good way. It just looks a bit sharper, coordinated, etc.

[thetygerlily]

Originally Posted by Jen

I am holding out on a new badge, because I really, really, really want them to allow an all diamond or CZ badge in sterling silver or white gold.

Jen- have you asked? I now know from experience, they are open to ideas! They may even be able to do a custom one if you talk to them over the phone.

[AZTheta]

Originally Posted by thetygerlily

Hmm... kind of like this?


A true black & gold badge for sure

When I originally read your comment, I was kind of skeptical. After doing a rudimentary mockup, though, I think it could have a lot of potential. Although I'm leaning toward it, I think my jury is still out (mostly due to the novelty of it)... I wish they had a real picture!!

thetygerlily - I edited your post for space.

WOW. Yup. It's good. I'm gonna study it but now I can SEE it (thank you thank you thank you for your computer skills).

The official fraternity jeweler for Kappa Alpha Theta is J. Lewis Small, not HJ Greek, but I'm still going to suggest that they try to have the option of virtually changing the stones in the badge (although that might be a programming nightmare, I don't know). I remember a time when you could highlight a stone choice & the badge would change on the HJ Greek site, I believe.

@steelerbear: go for it & we can meet for lunch & wear our matching yet different black & gold badges.

Now, of course, I want it to look like a Dyer with elongated points. But I am NOT going to spend that kind of money on a custom badge, since Dyer is no longer an option.

Am a little less jealous now and will possibly have something unique to share next summer when we have the first unofficial GC badge lovers meetup at the ADPi convention. That's gonna be one fun sandbox to play in, for sure.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by thetygerlily

Hmm... kind of like this?

Two words for you: LOVE IT!

[pomplemousse12]

The HJGreek facebook page put up some gorgeous Alpha Phi badges, with alternating diamonds and pearls. They're beautiful! I showed it to a friend of mine, and she commented that it would drive her crazy that the pearls are not all the same size. It's my current dream badge though