Badge question
 

My biological little sisters are graduating at the end of this semester, and one of them is a Chi O. She asked our parents for the little converter that lets you wear your badge as a ring, but our mom said it wasn't a good idea -- the pin clasp could weaken, or worse, the badge could fall out of the ring.

So what I'm wondering is this -- I know her particular badge means a lot to her, because it's the one with which she was initiated and all, so I know she wants to keep it safe. But would it be okay for me to buy a badge from eBay or fratpin.com and have a jeweler attach a ring so wearing the ring does not cause the badge to weaken? And this way, she can still have her own badge to wear as a pin for special occasions. I have two concerns: that my sister's gift would violate some Chi Omega rules because it was purchased from a non-official jeweler, and how acceptable it is to permanently alter the badge. Any help would be much appreciated!

If you read on chiomega.com when it talks about the badge, it states that badges are property of Chi Omega and are a privilege for the member to wear. Buying a badge online, and using it may not be the best idea. Supposedly if the member dies or does not pass it down to a sibling, daughter, family member, it can be returned to HQ.
I don't think purchasing from a non-jeweler is such an issue as one member being in possession of someone else's badge. I do feel it would be different if your sister was using a family member's badge and decided to purchase one of her own to use as the badge for the ring. She would basically be issued a new badge with her number and transfer the old badge back to the original owner. Each badge is number identified for each member. These are kept up with through HQ.

As far as weakening the badge, I have sisters who got the converter for a ring or a pendant and had no problems.

I agree with Nic - Badges are property on Chi Omega HQ, so she shouldn't wear someone else's badge (unless it was passed from a Chi O relative).

However, we do offer a sterling silver badge now which isn't nearly as pricey as a gold badge. That with the silver badge/ring convertor might make a nice gift you go in on with your parents. The rings are made by our official jewler (http://www.hjgreek.com), so they work well with our badges and cause no damamge. You'd have to call HQ to get her another badge, so I'm not sure if they could take the order without her permission.

Our RAD (Regional Alumnae Director) always wears her badge like this. She says it's acutally more secure because she is sure it's locked in and the lock doesn't get touched. When we were them on our shirt/blouse/jacket it's hard to be sure the lock is closed tight, and it gets hit more often.

Very sweet of you to think about it adn check with us!

I know of two sisters that wear their badges in the ring, and neither have had any worries about it - one said the same thing as xokathy's RAD, that it feels even more secure that way.

I didn't buy the ring, but did buy the pendant at Convention in 2006. I LOVE wearing it, and have found that I wear my badge much more frequently because of the ease of wearing it as a necklace. (I considered the ring, but a couple of friends told me theirs had gotten snagged on clothes.)

Both the ring and the pendant are very secure, but make certain you send the badge in to have it placed in the ring/pendant. It fits in "just so" and if it's not in there perfectly, it feels less secure. I considered having it soldered (sp?) onto the pendant, but have decided against it...I may want to wear it on a blouse or sweater again one of these days!:)

I ordered a ring for my badge, but when they sent it back to me, they sent it with the badge in the ring. I asked them not to solder my badge to the ring but it seems to be stuck. Any advice?

I doubt they soldered it -- let's hope it's just really "secure!" Can you not twist the clasp? (I always put some clear fingernail polish on the clasp when I wore my badge on the ring so it wouldn't twist open.) Usually, the jeweler puts a little "bubble" inside the ring to secure the badge if the clasp flies open. If you really want it "unstuck" -- I guess I'd take it to a local jeweler. If by any chance you're coming to Convention in St. Louis, Herff Jones will be there and I'm sure would be happy to adjust it.

I'm a Delta Gamma,and I was wondering where you can find a badge/ring converter. I've looked online, and haven't had any luck finding one. One of my sisters is graduating soon and I would love to buy one for her. Could you let me know if you know where to order one from? Thanks!

Herff Jones is the official jeweler. Go to the sorority section of their website. Then, Chi Omega. Then, rings.

www.hjgreek.com