Hi Ladies,
as an owner of quite a few badges (
tee hee!) I have to comment on this thread.
Some perspective on how I was 'raised'. When we were going through recruitment (then 'rush') for the first time as a chapter after being installed, fraternity officers encouraged us to wear our badges at EVERY party. even with t-shirts! Recruitment was badge time, as you showed pride in membership, and the uniform during rush was more dictated by the local NPC than by the chapter. OUTSIDE of recruitment, 'pin clothes' were required when you wore your badge.
For the one day a year where you want to show your greek pride, I think it is perfectly acceptable to wear your badge, especaially when it's in a professional type setting like a hospital. If you were say, a construction worker, I might argue & say it's not quite appropriate.
Amy I making any sense here?
Other comments: the kite shaped necklace charms where you pin your badge through.. they are quite nice.. I have one for one of the larger badges I own. BUT, be aware if you have an 'older' badge (pre 1991) you will need to have it custom cut by the jeweler to fit your badge. The placement of the pin catch & stem was not standard on the older badges, and the holes on the pendant charm may not match up. Additionally, I would advise just getting the actual pendant part and using your own necklace. the chain is garbage IMHO-very cheap rope, plus it's too long and the badge ends up turning around and getting twisted. you want something in the 18" range vs this ~28" .
last thing: badge rings.. the way the ring fastens into the ring is quite flaky (only by turning the clasp) and I'd be really worried about losing it. Also, the ring is so high, you'd constantly be catching it on stuff or poking yourself with it.. (the badge points don't fall in the right place with respect to your fingers). Our jeweler is making a few new rings now that are quite nice w/the coat of arms on them, or sometimes you can pick up a recognition ring (just letters) on ebay... Alternatively, you could have a jeweler make a ring out of your badge, either by building a ring around it, or cutting off the pin part & mounting it. but then you probably won't be able to wear it as a pin. I have a friend who is a Gamma Phi Beta, and she had her badge turned into a lovely ring, but has some regrets 'cause it limits how she can wear it.
okay, enough from me on this topic.. I could go on for quite a bit!
-kaokite
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