Badge Trends?

[OleMissGlitter]

AOII is offering a limited edition All Ruby Badge for our upcoming 125th Anniversary. I love it. And I might treat myself to one since this fall will be my 25th anniversary as an initiated member in AOII!

https://www.hjgreek.com/product/show...roductID/68123
https://www.hjgreek.com/assets/image...arge/68123.jpg

[navane]

WHAT?!?!


YOU HAVE TO GET THAT.

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by navane

WHAT?!?!


YOU HAVE TO GET THAT.

So much red! That badge simply oozes.

[lake]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

So much red! That badge simply oozes.

It's pretty, but the most gorgeous NPC badge I've ever seen is a plain, white gold AOPi badge with a single ruby. It is just stunning in its simplicity. I would love to be an AOPi just to have that badge (shallow, I know)!!

I really wish Tri Delta had variations of our badge. They do for Executive officers and traveling consultants, but not for other members.

[RahRah241]

So as promised, here are pictures of the first two members badges that I have saved. (Apologies for the photos, I'm very new to photographing badges.)



Pictured from left to right is our fraternity's gear pin designated to give to family members of significant others, the badge of Robert H. Von Stein from Cedar Rapids who went to Omicron chapter at the University of Iowa. He graduated in 1954 and served in WWII, so he must have been going to school using the GI bill. I saved his badge from fratpin. Next is the badge of William Edwin Bowers whose badge I saved from that website. He graduated in 1948 from Upsilon chapter at the University of Arkansas and he was the artist for the school's engineering magazine. Last is my personal badge.



Here are the backs of each badge. Notice how the placement of the loop that your badge guard would attach to is different on Brother Bowers' badge, which is the oldest. on his badge it is on the back of the gear while on mine and Brother Von Stein's the loop is on the handle of the tongs. The back of each badge contains a brother's name, roll book number, and the year of their graduation. (My badge says I graduate this year which is inaccurate, I still have at least a year left. ). Unfortunately, it seems as if brothers ordering their badges had the option to get their full name engraved on their badge, whereas if I wanted to order myself a new badge today, it only gives me the option to put my last name.



Pictured here is the bird's eye view of the badges. Something interesting that I didn't even think about until I had the older badges in my hand is how much the thickness of the gear on the badge varies. Thinking about it, I can understand why my badge is thicker than the two older ones as mine is just stainless steel plated in gold, but I have no clue why or how the two old badges have different thicknesses. Perhaps it is due to different manufacturers or the type of gold used. Also odd is that only the gear and Greek letters vary in thickness, as the hammer and tongs have a consistent depth on each badge.



Lastly, just for fun, here is all of the badges pictured pinned upon my shirt



Of the two badges that I rescued, I absolutely love how Brother Bowers' badge looks. The pictures don't do it justice but it has an amount of aging that just makes the individual parts of the badge stand out more. I'm glad I could finally contribute to this thread and help keep it alive.

[navane]

Originally Posted by RahRah241

Of the two badges that I rescued, I absolutely love how Brother Bowers' badge looks. The pictures don't do it justice but it has an amount of aging that just makes the individual parts of the badge stand out more. I'm glad I could finally contribute to this thread and help keep it alive.

Yes, I noticed that too. Mr. Bowers' badge has a nice patina to it.

[3StringedLyre]

So I know this thread is long dead, but it’s full of very good info. I was wondering if anyone could help me with some history.

I spotted this miniature badge on EBay (which has sold, unfortunately) and I was very curious as to it’s history.


I’d never seen miniature badges other than a stray mini Kappa key that isn’t a standard badge, rather more of an accessory I think. Did Kappa Delta have mini pins? Are they indicative of anything in particular? The badge has initials and chapter engraved on the back, along with a badge number. Not sure if that info is able to be looked up by any KDs? I had heard that miniature badges were stylish for a while, but what time period was that? Badge history fascinates me!

[Goomaloon]

I’m sorry about the large file!! Inversely, I hope the details and craftsmanship show through because I personally don’t care for the brand new HJ work.

I lost the first badge that I ordered over multiple state moves, but it was electroplated and the cheapest option, and did not weigh nearly to these vintage finds!

[navane]

I have always admired the chased Alpha Omicron Pi badge. it's gorgeous.

[Loyally Kappa]

I read the title of this thread quickly and thought something different was being discussed other than what new members were buying. I thought it would be a discussion on what folks were doing with their badges nowadays. I believe I broke a rule, but I recently had a jeweler attach a bail to my key so that I could wear it as a necklace without worrying about the old clasp opening ... it is loose. I like the way occasionally someone will notice the key hanging around my neck and say, "Oh, you're a Kappa!" I have a badge disposition form with my final papers, so it is going back to national at some point. Both of my daughters ended up being a Tridelta so they have no interest in saving it as a forever piece.

Please don't bring me up before the standards committee ... at least I am wearing it proudly!

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by Loyally Kappa

I read the title of this thread quickly and thought something different was being discussed other than what new members were buying. I thought it would be a discussion on what folks were doing with the badges nowadays. I believe I broke a rule, but I recently had a jeweler attach a bail to my key so that I could wear it as a necklace without worrying about the old clasp opening ... it is loose. I like the way occasionally someone will notice the key hanging around my neck and say, "Oh, you're a Kappa!" I have a badge disposition form with my final papers, so it is going back to national at some point. Both of my daughters ended up being a Tridelta so they have to interest in saving it as a forever piece.

Please don't bring me up before the standards committee ... at least I am wearing it proudly!

Your secret is safe with me, sister!! I also think they sell pendants that we can attach our keys to that allows us to wear them as a necklace. The older I get, the more challenging it gets to fiddle with the clasp.

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by Loyally Kappa

I read the title of this thread quickly and thought something different was being discussed other than what new members were buying. I thought it would be a discussion on what folks were doing with the badges nowadays. I believe I broke a rule, but I recently had a jeweler attach a bail to my key so that I could wear it as a necklace without worrying about the old clasp opening ... it is loose. I like the way occasionally someone will notice the key hanging around my neck and say, "Oh, you're a Kappa!" I have a badge disposition form with my final papers, so it is going back to national at some point. Both of my daughters ended up being a Tridelta so they have to interest in saving it as a forever piece.

Please don't bring me up before the standards committee ... at least I am wearing it proudly!

Your secret is safe with me, sister!! I also think they sell pendants that we can attach our keys to that allows us to wear them as a necklace. The older I get, the more challenging it gets to fiddle with the clasp.