Expensive badges - worth it?

DeltaBetaBaby · #1 10-31-2012, 10:55 AM

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

honeychile · #2 10-31-2012, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

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

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

ctgirl · #3 11-01-2012, 11:09 AM

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!

AOII Angel · #4 11-01-2012, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctgirl

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!

This is why AOII will NEVER get rid of our plain gold badge. We were founded on simplicity. I bought the pearl O badge, or rather my mom bought me a pearl O badge for initiation. I know own many jeweled badges and a perfect shiny plain gold version which is so pretty in its simplicity. They all mean the same thing...just say something different about the owner.

DeltaBetaBaby · #5 11-01-2012, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeychile

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

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

thetalady · #6 11-01-2012, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

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 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?

DeltaBetaBaby · #7 11-01-2012, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetalady

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?

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

als463 · #8 11-03-2012, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

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

I guess it depends on what you mean by bling. Phi Mu allows for pearls and other jewels--at least at my alma mater we all pretty much had something "bling-worthy" for our badges. I still wear my badge to this day from initiation and it is surrounded by pearls. I love it and I'm glad I went with the pearls because it wasn't "too expensive" and it was just blingy enough for me. You can't go wrong with pearls--in my eyes.

DeltaBetaBaby · #9 11-03-2012, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by als463

I guess it depends on what you mean by bling. Phi Mu allows for pearls and other jewels--at least at my alma mater we all pretty much had something "bling-worthy" for our badges. I still wear my badge to this day from initiation and it is surrounded by pearls. I love it and I'm glad I went with the pearls because it wasn't "too expensive" and it was just blingy enough for me. You can't go wrong with pearls--in my eyes.

Hm, either this has changed since I was a collegian, or I misunderstood it at the time.

MysticCat · #10 11-03-2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Hm, either this has changed since I was a collegian, or I misunderstood it at the time.

Or could it have been a chapter or regional thing?

We have two options -- gold plate or 10 carot gold. Jewels are the same in either (6 garnets, 12 pearls) there is no choice there. While I love seeing the blinged-out badges of other groups, I have to admit that I like that we all wear the same badge.

Gusteau · #11 11-04-2012, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Or could it have been a chapter or regional thing?

I wouldn't be surprised. I work with a lot of chapters that are not my own, and they often SWEAR something is a rule either in their chapter bylaws or Delta Chi Law when it is in neither.

DBB - not to say this wasn't a rule when you were a collegian, it may have been, just that a lot of members I work with believe traditions are rules.

DeltaBetaBaby · #12 11-04-2012, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gusteau

I wouldn't be surprised. I work with a lot of chapters that are not my own, and they often SWEAR something is a rule either in their chapter bylaws or Delta Chi Law when it is in neither.

DBB - not to say this wasn't a rule when you were a collegian, it may have been, just that a lot of members I work with believe traditions are rules.

Okay, I'm thinking it may have been this: You had to pay the badge fee as part of your initiation fee, and then you got a plain badge. So it may be that you could go get yourself a nicer badge, but you couldn't decline the plain one.

In any case, I kinda wish it were a rule :-)

ADPi95 · #13 11-05-2012, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Okay, I'm thinking it may have been this: You had to pay the badge fee as part of your initiation fee, and then you got a plain badge. So it may be that you could go get yourself a nicer badge, but you couldn't decline the plain one.

In any case, I kinda wish it were a rule :-)

For us, you pay the badge fee as part of the initiation fee, but if you want a different (blinged out) badge, you have to pay the difference in cost (i.e. you don't end up with two).

als463 · #14 11-04-2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Hm, either this has changed since I was a collegian, or I misunderstood it at the time.

I initiated in 2004. I didn't even realize that the plain badge was part of the initiation cost. I can say that most of my pledge class got jewels and I remember getting just pearls because I just couldn't make up my mind. Now, if I could have gotten one with opals--I'd be in Heaven. That's why I continuously check out "that site" to see if I can find something with opals in my price range.

Phigirl04 · #15 11-10-2012, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by als463

I initiated in 2004. I didn't even realize that the plain badge was part of the initiation cost. I can say that most of my pledge class got jewels and I remember getting just pearls because I just couldn't make up my mind. Now, if I could have gotten one with opals--I'd be in Heaven. That's why I continuously check out "that site" to see if I can find something with opals in my price range.

I feel you on the opals. I was just looking at two of those sites and on one I saw several with opals. I think I would die for the opal/pearl or the opal/emerald options. Trying to stop myself from trying to get it right now.