Introducing the Coastal Carers Collection
It seems like so many of our friends at the beach have very special ties to the medical profession. Some are nurses and doctors who give selflessly of their time and talents to care for their patients, while others work in emergency medicine or clinics, doing their best to keep everyone safe and sound. As an homage to their compassion and kindness while caring for others, we have developed the elegant Coastal Caregivers Collection, which echoes the humble grace of the medical profession. In this article, I wanted to share a bit more about some of the design elements featured in this unique collection of keepsakes.
AN Inspired Collection
When I was designing this collection, I knew I wanted to use materials that captured the strength and resilience of those who work in the field of medicine. Nurses, doctors, paramedics, EMT, assistants, specialists, caretakers, and technicians all play important roles in our well-being, but the past few years have been challenging -- medical professionals haven't always gotten the rest, recovery, respect, and appreciation they deserve. To honor the sacrifices of our friends and of medical workers everywhere, we've created the stylish Coastal Caregivers Collection:
Each piece is designed to capture the essence of the field of medicine.
High-quality, eco-friendly metals highlight the beauty of every piece.
Symbols like the Staff of Asclepius, the caduceus, and the medical cross provide meaningful ties to the medical world.
Elegant opal accents enhance the design of every piece.
Every keepsake comes with a durable, attractive stainless steel chain.
Celebrate the ones you love.
Our Favorite Material: Opal
I knew that I wanted the Coastal Caregivers Collection to capture the essence of our classic GoBeachy keepsakes while honoring those in the medical field. In order to create this tasteful and cultivated collection, I decided to base each design around our favorite materials: high-quality metals and our signature fiery blue opals. Blue opal not only echoes the deep ceruleans and azures of the ocean and the sky, but it also radiates the grounded calmness inherent in its rich blue tone. Here is a bit more about this beautiful gemstone:
Composition
Here at GoBeachy, we use a signature version of lab-created blue opal in many of our pieces. While true opal occurs naturally, synthetic opal is created in a laboratory setting. Both types of opal are composed of silica, which provide the stone with its unique aesthetic properties. Synthetic opal resembles genuine opal almost identically in its appearance, structure, and physical properties. Also known as “lab-grown” or “cultured opal,” synthetic opal can be very difficult to distinguish from natural opal, even for seasoned gemologists!
Appearance
Opals come in a variety of colors, but our proprietary GoBeachy tone is a deep, fiery blue. When looking at a piece of opal jewelry, its colors often seem iridescent – they appear to glow and change as light touches its surface from different angles. Both natural and synthetic opals exhibit this remarkable trait known as “play of color.” Light travels through the opal’s millions of silica spheres and becomes diffracted; this results in the gem’s hallmark rainbow-like appearance. Our shimmering blue opals are elegant and refined.
Care & Cleaning
When cleaning synthetic opal jewelry, use a damp soft cloth and a mild soap. While natural opal can withstand submersion in water, avoid dunking synthetic opal for any duration – it is made of several layers of silica that are adhered together, and water can seep in between the layers, dulling its sparkling appearance over time. Be sure to avoid ultrasonic cleaners for this same reason, as the vibrations from the mechanism can cause water penetration into the stone.
Always remove opal jewelry before exercising, showering, swimming, or doing household chores. Chemicals and prolonged exposure to water can damage the stone’s surface. When storing synthetic opal jewelry, place it in a soft bag. Unlike natural opal, which actually needs to be stored in a somewhat humid environment, synthetic opal can be stored safely in a jewelry box without additional considerations.
Coastal elegance at its finest.
Behind the Collection: Finding Meaning
When I was designing the pieces for this meaningful collection, I knew I needed to select symbols that were significant to those in the medical world. Accordingly, I went with a variety of designs, several of which include major medical symbols like the Staff of Asclepius, the caduceus, and the medical cross. Here is a bit more about each symbol and its significance to the realm of medicine:
Staff of Asclepius
The Staff of Asclepius, which bears a serpent coiled around a staff, has been a meaningful symbol of medicine for thousands of years. According to Greek mythology, Asclepius was the god of medicine and the healing arts, and his patrons would often use non-venomous snakes in healing rituals for the sick. Asclepius was frequently depicted holding a staff with one of his signature snakes coiled around it, symbolizing health, renewal, and possibly even resurrection. As the field of medicine developed, Asclepius remained an important part of traditions and rituals – in fact, the original Hippocratic Oath included his name ("I swear by Apollo the Healer and by Asclepius and by Hygieia and Panacea and by all the gods ..."). Due to its rich history and meaningful symbolism, the Staff of Asclepius is widely used by the medical community today.
Caduceus
Sometimes confused with the Staff of Asclepius, the caduceus is also an important symbol in the medical world. It features a staff encircled by twin serpents, and it is often depicted with a pair of wings situated at the top of the rod. Also hailing from Greek mythology, the caduceus was a special staff that belonged to divine messengers – the caduceus used in the medical setting, however, specifically belonged to Hermes, herald of the gods. According to lore, Hermes was closely linked with alchemy, which historically included the fields of medicine and chemistry in its scope. This unique symbol was adopted by the United States Army in 1902 and has since become common in medical settings.
Medical Cross
Perhaps the most recognizable of all the medical symbols, the medical cross (or the Red Cross) is intentionally universal. In 1864, this simple symbol was adopted under the Geneva Convention as a way to signify neutrality and protection for volunteers, first-aid workers, medics, and other humanitarian aid workers. While the Red Cross states that this emblem is not a medical sign specifically, it has been widely adopted by countries throughout the world to represent medicine and first-aid. Our pieces that feature this ubiquitous symbol are perfect for any medical professional who works hard to improve the lives of their patients.
Created with Gratitude
I am proud to present this collection of meaningful, elegant keepsakes designed to honor those who work tirelessly in the medical profession. Over the years, I have seen first-hand how hard my friends in this profession work to take care of their patients, and I wanted to create a beautiful collection of jewelry to celebrate them and their accomplishments. If you work in the field of medicine or know someone special who does, I hope you will be able to find something eye-catching and inspiring in our collection, available in the shop today.
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