Expensive badges - worth it?

[barbino]

I'm glad that we have always had many options about what type of jewels to put in the Pi Phi arrow. We even had a limited edition turquoise pin about 2 years back. The legacy pin (one single raised large pearl on a different style arrow; the kind used for the standard initiation badge) is one of my favorites. So is the garnet/aquamarine pin; which comes closest to our wine and silver blue colors. The choice of what type of bling to get on your pin is a very personal decision. When I initiated, I knew exactly what I wanted- alternating pearls & sapphires. I laughed when I found out that this was standard for a "blinged-out" Kappa. I also have the plain gold initiation pin that I believe every Pi Phi still gets upon initiation, and a small "recognition pin" arrow that has one tiny pearl. I wore the first gold arrow that I ever got, the arrow lavaliere, the most, and sadly lost it a few years ago. It's nice to have a plain pin & a jeweled one so that you have a choice. I think that some people buy several pins at different times (one in undergrad; one when you are older & can afford it, etc.). It's all just a matter of personal taste.

[txAOII_15]

Originally Posted by barbino

I'm glad that we have always had many options about what type of jewels to put in the Pi Phi arrow. We even had a limited edition turquoise pin about 2 years back. The legacy pin (one single raised large pearl on a different style arrow; the kind used for the standard initiation badge) is one of my favorites. So is the garnet/aquamarine pin; which comes closest to our wine and silver blue colors. The choice of what type of bling to get on your pin is a very personal decision. When I initiated, I knew exactly what I wanted- alternating pearls & sapphires. I laughed when I found out that this was standard for a "blinged-out" Kappa. I also have the plain gold initiation pin that I believe every Pi Phi still gets upon initiation, and a small "recognition pin" arrow that has one tiny pearl. I wore the first gold arrow that I ever got, the arrow lavaliere, the most, and sadly lost it a few years ago. It's nice to have a plain pin & a jeweled one so that you have a choice. I think that some people buy several pins at different times (one in undergrad; one when you are older & can afford it, etc.). It's all just a matter of personal taste.

Had to google this since I couldn't picture it. NO WONDER carnation wants a little legacy. This pin is precious!

[thetygerlily]

Originally Posted by barbino

The legacy pin (one single raised large pearl on a different style arrow; the kind used for the standard initiation badge) is one of my favorites.

Originally Posted by txAOII_15

Had to google this since I couldn't picture it. NO WONDER carnation wants a little legacy. This pin is precious!

Well don't just tease us- share a picture!

ETA- okay, I'm obviously not patient today. Is this it?

[barbino]

Originally Posted by thetygerlily

Well don't just tease us- share a picture!

ETA- okay, I'm obviously not patient today. Is this it?

This is the mother's pin. Also, when I described the legacy pin, I could not remember whether it had one or two pearls -- thanks for looking & posting. I like to look at the new pin options from time to time & that is how I found out about the turquoise pin that was a limited edition. I don't have a picture (sorry) but it was really pretty & I was tempted. The other thing is that supposedly you can special order a Pi Phi arrow and have it custom-made with almost any type of jewel that you want.

Consider the possibilities- alternating diamond & opal, pearls & turquoise, garnets and sapphires, etc. The possibilities are endless! I have mentioned this on this thread before, I think, but one of my roommates had a custom made arrow with fire opals and a diamond point. It was amazing, and I'm not even an opal fan.

The other thing is that the arrow point can have several styles - plain point, several kinds of engraving (sometimes you can date a pin by engraving style), diamond point, jewel point, etc. So many pins, so little time!