Our Badge

[ihearttrisigma]

I've noticed through other boards on here that many badges of other groups have various options on how they are comprized. Many groups have choices between pearls, rubies, saphires, diamonds, opals etc.
Has anyone ever seen our badge with anything like this? If so, where and do you have any idea about its history? If not, what do you think about that?

In a way I look at a few of them, I've seen a gorgeous KKG key and Pi Phi arrow, and get a twinge of jealousy. Who wouldn't love to "bling bling" the best badge around ( ie OURS)
But then I got to thinking. How would I feel if I had sisters with badges obviously more decorated than my own. Would I feel somewhat inferior or bad about myself that I couldn't purchase the top of the line model?
I love the simplicity and stedfastness of our badge. It is definately a badge that stays the same and links sisters from 2004 to those of 1904. I like that each sister has the same badge..It makes me feel like we are all truely sisters and united in our bond when I see beautiful pearls in a triangle. I would love to hear your thoughts

[KSUViolet06]

Our badge has a couple of options. It comes in no pearls, half pearls, and full pearls. It really doesn't matter b/c the latter 2 look exactly alike anyway.

[ihearttrisigma]

Oh yes, I did know about the pearl/no pearl/half pearl options. And I definately agree...from the ones Ive seen the half/full ones look almost the same! Its funny...as I've said before our chapter just started and all we've ever gotten was the full pearl badge.

I guess what I was really getting at was besides the pearl options have you seen our badge with any other gems in it? I was actually going to rescue this one badge on ebay and emailed the guy about it. Through email he said he had one of our badges with three rubies in it which I found interesting.

[trisigmaAtl]

yeah, I've seen the option with three pearls at each point and it looks a little sparse. I feel like something's missing!!! I also think that steadfast is the perfect word for our badge, I like knowing that no matter what chapter my sister is from, or what her monetary status is, we are wearing the same badge. I can't even imagine how expensive a diamond badge would be!!!! although I understand and admire the adornments on other badges, I'm happy about our pearls.

my favorite non-Sigma badges are Tri Delta b/c I think the trident is so neat!!!! and KKG, I love the key!!!

[trisigmaAtl]

I have never seen or heard about any other jewel variations unless it was for a national officer, especially not rubies. The only variations I've seen have been the change from the skull and crossbones in the early days to our current badge.

[jadis96]

okay going way back to 96 here (when I had crews) wasn't it mentioned that the president wore a diamond badge?

personally I like that we all have basically the same badge. I have seen pictures of the 3 pearl badge adn it just looks strange to me. It seems like I remember all the badges basically being the same price (I know when I got mine there was only a 10 dollar difference between half and full pearls so we all had the full pearl badges.

[ejbiff]

I have seen some different badges on Ebay, but I didn't know that those were true Sigma badges. I prefer our badge with the pearls all around it. Everyone in our chapter has the same one, which I think is better so that no one feels left behind.

[ShyViolet]

I've seen some beautiful old historical badges at Walton House when I was there two years ago for A/CAC. There are some with any number of different jewels, rubies, opals, emeralds, amethysts, etc., as badges were made to order for awhile. They also have several badges that are smaller than the normal ones now. There was one on e-bay last year from Mu chapter that was alternating rubies and opals, I really wanted it, but some badge collector got it for over $300. Grr.
Also, Executive Council members have special badges with amethyst points (I love amethysts - they're my birthstone ). Is it the National Alumnae VP that has the ruby badge? I know it comes out for alumna honor initiate at convention... And of course the National President Badge - white gold and diamonds - I felt like I needed sunglasses just to look at it!!
But fancy jewels and options aside, I love my badge, I have closed pearl (as I was a poor undergrad at the time and couldn't afford the full pearl version).

Sigma Love and Mine,
Laura

[ejbiff]

Not to be rude or anything, but we're not to buy our badges on Ebay. We should let National's know about the auction, since the badges are their property. I would NEVER enter an auction for one of Sigma's badges- it's totally disrespectful!

[ShyViolet]

I am well aware of national policy concerning badges and e-bay, and that technically, these badges shouldn't end up on that site, but they do. In the past, when the message boards on the Members Only portion of our national website were functioning, I alerted the National Office of badges that appeared on the site. And I am also well aware that every badge purchased by a Sister of Sigma Sigma Sigma remains property of the national organization and is either buried with her or returned to nationals upon her death (or in the case of termination of membership), having been both treasurer and president of my collegiate chapter.
Because our national organization cannot very well purchase every badge that comes up on e-bay, my intention was not to keep such a historic badge, but to return it to national headquarters, where it would rightfully belong. I don't like the idea of a pin collector having such a precious piece of Sigma history.
I'm not meaning to be rude, but a word of caution when making assumptions. I'll step off my soapbox now.

In Our Bonds,

Laura

[ejbiff]

I am sorry for misunderstanding you! I see now that you had good intentions!