Question Regarding Dangles
 

I bought a new badge, chapter guard and dangles to replace the one that was lost last summer and the folks at Burr, Patterson and Auld were nice enough to attach the dangles for me.

The way they did it, though, is they opened individual links of the chain, put the loop attached to the dangle through, and closed it up. On my OLD badge, the chain was just passed through the loop attached to the dangle; much like you'd put your lavaliere on a chain. Does that make sense?

I feel like the way my dangles are on my new badge is weird; they seem to hang funny and I was wondering if this is how they're *supposed* to be or if it is just a matter of personal preference or what???

Thanks!

Preference on Dangles!
 

I guess it's personal preference, but like you, my dangles were loose on the chain & free to swing! Honestly, I like that way the best so they look like they're in the right place regardless of whether or not you've pinned the badge & guard perfectly.

yeah, that is weird. my dangles are hanging across chain in the way you described.. if it bothers you i don't see it being a hassle to take it to a jeweler and have them fix it

KR, I always wore mine the same way as you, but! Last year, I was at the Panhellenic Luncheon, and saw an Alpha Phi who had each of her office dangles on a separate link on the chain (so they were stationary), and it looked stunning! She said that she often wore her pin to work or such, as it's a huge conversation piece.

I liked it so much, that I'm thinking of getting the last few dangles that I never got around to ordering, and doing the same with my pin.

It's a matter of preference, I guess, and what looks best with your pin.

I don't know when the "tradition" of not ordering chapter guards started at my chapter but I wish they would return;) At the officer workshop, they were talking about starting/bringing back traditions, I like this one!

In Alpha Sigma Phi, there's no strict rule on hanging chapter guards and/or officer dangles other than keeping them plain instead of jeweled, in keeping with the unjeweled badge.

Good rule of thumb to follow: don't hang more than two or three dangles from the guard chain. Hang only the dangles representing the highest three offices or service awards held. Any more than that tends to detract from the badge. You want to call attention that you're an (insert name of fraternity or sorority), not that you held a sh*tload of offices while an undergrad or an alum.

My two cents' worth - your mileage may vary! :)

I prefer dangles attached on each individual link - otherwise I think they bunch up in the middle. My parents bought me a charm bracelet for Christmas that I'm going to put all my dangles on. Part of my issue is that I have two badges - a "rescued" pearl one (thanks GPhiBLtColonel) that is all gold and older than my mom is, and a two-tone standard badge that's my initiation badge. I'd feel funny putting my dangles on the fancy badge, but I wear that the most, and I'm considering having my badge made into a ring. I figured on a charm bracelet I wouldn't feel torn and could wear it whenever I wore my badge. :D

I like the idea of chapter guards. No one in the chapter has one, but I got one from Burr Patt anyway. :) You can do it too--mine was like, $16?

Also, does anyone know about insuring badges? I have all my other valuable jewelry insured, and my badge has a lot of sentimental meaning.

Munchkin,
When my badge disappeared last summer, I was able to claim it on my homeowner's policy. There was a $100.00 deductible, but with all my dangles and the guard it ended up costing like $345.00 so it was definitely worth having insured.

But I still wish I could have my old badge back :(


PS Thanks, everyone, for your input! I'm not sure if I'll leave my dangles as-is or take them to a jeweler and have them taken off and put on again.