Expensive badges - worth it?

[AZTheta]

Originally Posted by ibis

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

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.

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

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.

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!

[thetalady]

Originally Posted by AzTheta

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.

[HQWest]

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.

[KDCat]

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!

[pbear19]

Originally Posted by HQWest

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.

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.

[DGTess]

Originally Posted by pbear19

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.

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.

[HQWest]

Originally Posted by pbear19

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.

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

[Gusteau]

Originally Posted by AzTheta

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!

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...)