Expensive badges - worth it?
 

I'm a new member of an NPC sorority, and I was just wondering if you guys think its worth it to buy a prettier, more expensive badge, as opposed to a plain one? I know it depends on my budget (I won't go much higher than $150), but I'm just curious. Also, if I decided years down the road when I'm out of college that I want to upgrade, is that possible? Thanks!

It depends on your org. They may also change jewelers and slightly modify the design over time, as well, so I'd buy the pin that makes the most financial sense, but that will also be one you will enjoy.

No matter which pin you end up choosing, I highly recommend purchasing a pin guard with your chapter designation. The guard more securely fastens your pin to your clothing. (I learned this after I lost my first pin in the grass outside our chapter house when I was a sophomore!) In my sorority, you have to purchase the guard at the same time you order your pin. I'm not really sure why it can't be affixed later, but that's what I was told.

You don't have to get a diamond encrusted badge, but a little bling is fun!

This depends entirely on you and what you want and how much you are willing to spend. If you want the basic badge now and are interested to see if you can upgrade it later, I'd contact your sorority's HQ or Executive Office to inquire or ask someone in your sorority.

Your first one will be the one you will always remember.

So, if you can afford it, go for the one that strikes your fancy!

Again, it depends on your sorority. Make sure you haven't already paid for a basic badge (depending on the org, some of your initial sorority fees may already include a basic badge) and you may just have to make up the difference if you decide to go with something fancier.

My sorority now offers sterling silver (sooo wish we had that option when I was in school) and it makes purchasing a badge a little easier on your budget, even with the extra bling!

I bought a plain badge when I was initiated because I could not make up my mind which jeweled badge I wanted. I also did not realize it at the time, but our tastes can change over time.

Years later, I decided to buy a silver badge with alternating pearls and turquoise, and I am so glad that I went the route that I did. I probably would not have chosen the pearl and turquoise badge at 18. I still absolutely love it 10 years later. Since ZTA's colors are turquoise blue and steel grey, my badge is especially special to me.

Does your sorority allow collegians to get bling? Mine doesn't (though maybe we are the only one?).

So true. I cherish my small crown pearled badge with the badge guard loop at the top instead of the bottom. It is nothing fancy, and it is the most priceless (to me) badge I own. It carries a lot of memories, through some very rocky times as well as countless Founders Day celebrations. I was given a badge guard by a graduating senior that I'd advised, and it's attached.

where is the smiley face for JEALOUS of silver and turquoise?

OP, you have so many choices! And there is no law that states that you can't own more than one badge. ;)

Side note: I happened to obtain (for next to nothing) a white gold Theta badge that is 100% white gold, meaning that the black enamel top part is also white gold which is just not done; that part of our badge (the upper kite, as it were) is always black and gold. I think the seller thought it was a sterling silver badge, which would be a total anomaly. And NO I didn't get it on an auction site. Regardless, now I wonder if I should have turquoise set in where the pearls are. That might look fine, or really ugly!

I think we need a picture of this!! I can't picture it and it sounds really interesting.

That sounds awesome!

My sister's ZTA badge is sterling silver set with turquoise - it's gorgeous! I think you'd like how a white gold and turquoise kite would look (very Arizona...)

The silver choices are nice options if your chapter allows it. Double check on what is the norm at your chapter. Several chapters here prefer every one has a similar badge. You don't want to end up having to buy another badge for recruitment if you are going to be an officer next year.

Some people that I know bought the simple badge as a collegian and later bought a new badge with more bling, but the only ones I know that REALLY had regrets about the badge they picked are the girls that bought the "mini" badges. Some NPC groups make a smaller version of the badge to encourage everyone to at least have a badge since the gold ones are getting so expensive. The "mini" ones are easier to lose and are harder to distinguish. They just don't look as nice.

I bought a plain badge when I was first initiated because I didn't have the money for an expensive badge. I bought a blinged out badge as an alumna.

I love my plain little pin. I was annoyed when the design of the plain KD pin was changed. The "chased border" version in silver or white gold has grown on me, though.

I need the jealous smilie face for silver and turquoise badges, too. Those ZTA pins are gorgeous!

When I was initiated you got your badge as part of the initiation/pledge fee and the only choice was plain or rose engraved. Afterward, you could buy a jeweled one and I got a white gold all diamond one. Many years later it was stolen in a burglary. Since it was insured (be thinking about that all of you with expensive ones) I replaced it. they didn't make the all diamond one in white gold at that time so I got yellow gold. I wear it in one of those circle mounts on a chain. Of course, they now offer the all diamond in white gold again! But I am happy with the yellow gold because it truly is a "golden anchor."

I can't imagine a mini-badge. Ours are so tiny to begin with! :)

I would like a little bling, but the thing is the plain ones are under $40, and the next price point is $150. I just wish there was something in between, or silver options.

IDEA for you, t&k (and I love your user name, so creative! envious):

Take yourself over to the Badge Trends thread, and put out some feelers there. One of your sisters may be able to help you out in locating a badge! I did that for a Theta sister a couple of years ago - got her a vintage badge with an interesting history for ~$100 +/-. Not everyone is in the business of making $ or being greedy about selling badges for profit. :rolleyes: Personally I'd much rather see a Theta badge happily shared with an active who will treasure it and wear it with love and pride, than see one go to a non-Theta who will only hoard it (or worse). I am willing to bet this will have a happy ending if you go through one of your own sisters... just an idea.

and, with the holidays coming, perhaps there will be a little $ that you can put towards a badge/pin?

Keep in mind that even if you purchase a vintage badge, your sorority may require you to purchase a badge from headquarters as part of your one-time new member fees and requirements. My college roommate wore her mother's pin throughout her membership in ADPi, but she was still required to purchase her own.

Agreed on asking family if they can help pay to "upgrade" your badge as an early Christmas present

Or a jeweled badge might something for the Santa list.

If you think that you want a jeweled badge someday, and you can swing the cost now, it makes sense to purchase it while you're in college. You will most likely wear your badge more frequently as a collegiate member than as an alumna. I love my badge, but just don't have that many opportunities to wear it. If I hadn't bought a jeweled badge in college, it would be tough to justify the expense now, not just because I wear it less frequently, but because I have so many more pressing things to spend my money on.

I suggest you buy whatever you can afford and that is beautiful to you.

As for blingy badges, my first badge was a blingy one because I have a diamond birthday,l but I went with the small version to be at least a little modest. Since I wasn't bearing the cost, someone else set the budget. Now as an Alumna, I'm wanting a larger but simpler badge and now of course gold has gone through the roof! Take AzTheta's advice and see if a badge rescuer might not be wanting to re-home a beauty she got for a song.

I wish I could have variations on my badge, but my fraternity only has one option, after going into badge collecting I get a little envious. But I know my badge was included in my initiation costs.

It bothers me when I hear sisters say they just want "the cheapest option" - especially when they proceed to drop a few hundred dollars on lettered shirts they probably won't wear after college. Your badge is for life. Try to order what you like while sticking to your budget. My fancy badge/guard was my Christmas gift my freshman year.

Badge Choices for Delta Delta Delta
 

Trident or no trident?
If yes to trident: plain (no pearl), one pearl or three pearls?

When I was a collegian, the original plan was for me to buy a plain badge, and my sister would give me her jeweled badge to wear. Thankfully, my mom thought that was a stupid idea and insisted that I get the same badge that my sister had. I am very happy that I have the pearl encrusted badge that I really wanted, instead of the plain one because now as an alumna, I would never shell the money out for it.

Just my 2 cents worth, but if I had an option for something like a trident, you bet I would get one!! Maybe not terribly pearly, though... just 1 pearl.

Agreed! Those tridents are awesome!

As an alumna, I'm now wishing I had gotten a trident for my badge around when I was first initiated, but I simply never got around to it. Now, I'm planning on buying the three pearl trident, even though I don't wear my badge nearly as much as I used to. I love the way the pearls on the trident look next to the pearls on our badge!

I guess my sorority doesn't have the trident option, because I don't even know what that is haha. Can you lovely ladies enlighten me?

My pin was all pearl and so was my chapter guard. I was so surprised when my parents agreed to pay for it and all these years later it's still beautiful. Of course, my Mother was not in a sorority and I think she thought that everyone had pearl pins!

the Trident is for Tri Delta members
 

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/DELTA-DELTA-D...iMD!~~0_35.JPG

The trident is an optional guard pin for Tri Delta members. The trident is to be placed at a 45 degree angle left to right behind the badge, passing between the center and left-hand stars.

It looks sort of like a stick-pin!

Phi Mu doesn't allow bling for collegiates? I've seen so many beautiful Phi Mu pins, too!

I keep coming back to this comment, for some reason it really bothers me! (Not the fact that you made the comment, HQWest, but the fact that there are chapters that would require a woman to buy a second badge because hers isn't the exact style of everyone else's.) Yet another reminder of why I would have gone crazy if I had gone to a southern school.

OP - I say go for the bling! I don't think you will regret it. But, I'm biased. My own original badge is plain, and I haven't worn it since I got a badge with pearls.

Most of the girls in my chapter and a distinct majority of my pledge class ended up choosing the least expensive badge, but not for financial reasons. The simplicity of the badge and its importance in our sorority was the reason we chose the most "plain" badge. The chased O badge was the same cost, but generally everyone got the basic badge and everyone got it in yellow gold.

When I look at the badge I chose all those years ago, I am glad I went with the simplest badge even now. Every time I look at it, I think its beautiful and that there is great beauty in what is simple. That is not to say that I don't drool over the beautiful blinged out badges I have seen on here, especially the vintage ones.

However, you need to choose the badge for you. Is the $150 badge the one you like best? If so get it. If you like the more simple badge, choose that. If your dream badge is more than $150, I would consider getting the basic badge and purchasing the blinged out one you really want later!

Unless it has changed since I was an undergrad, no. I kinda like the idea of everyone being initiated with the same badge anyway.

I bought one of these several years ago:

https://www.hjgreek.com/assets/image...large/9770.jpg

I don't regret it at all.

I believe you, but I am surprised! There are so many beautiful jeweled Phi Mu badges on "that site". Any idea where they come from? Did they come from a time prior to this decision or is it possible to add stones after a badge is purchased?

Seriously!!! Where is this picture, AzTheta???

Do they still make the short tridents? I always thought those were cute. Plus I've seen quite a few long tridents that are bent. Of course if you are super careful with it you'll likely be fine- but any long thin piece of metal is susceptible to getting bent. If it were me, I'd go for a short trident with pearls to set off the badge.

I lamented for the first few years that we didn't have white gold or silver keys. Not for price, but because I never wear anything gold! However, it's hard now to imagine an iconic golden key as anything but gold. I just suck it up and have a few gold necklaces I can wear with my badge. As for the big price gap- the vermeil badge is actually fairly new. We just started offering that either last fall or the fall before to provide a less expensive way of having your own badge.

And personally, if you can afford it (or prioritize to afford it), I would go for the badge that you would both treasure and wear. That's different for each sister- some love the uber bling, and others love the classic simplicity of our golden key. Many fall somewhere in the middle. For the past 20 years or so, sapphire & pearl has been a very popular choice (that's what my initiation badge was as well). Of course, I'm partial to the blue & blue key now- not only because I requested it :D, but because it has our colors within our symbol. That's also been a popular one since it was released in... 2010 I think? Vintage badges are also a great option and have a history all their own. You really can't go wrong... as long as you get one!

I come from a chapter where everyone got the same badge at initiation. It was a lot of years ago, and I seem to remember our pledge master asking "What kind of badge do you want? Our chapter has a tradition of everyone getting the plain rose-engraved badge." and that's what we all got. I don't know if they've changed the tradition since; I didn't ask the women in the chapter now. Though I've bought a couple of badges since, nothing will ever compare to my simple gold anchor. And I still prefer it to the more blinged-out options.

The problem wasn't the style - the problem discussed in that chapter was with the "mini" badge which did not look quite the same.

Alumnae can have them, and the official jeweler offers them for alumnae members. It's only a restriction on collegians.