Pearl + Dumpling
Pearl + Dumpling
Glass peach coloured dumpling with freshwater pearl on 18k gold-plated huggie hoops and hardware.
Pearl and dumpling can be removed from the huggie hoops and interchanged with another charm, or to wear the huggie hoops on their own!
I hope that this combination of pearl and dumpling bring you great wealth and prosperity, as they both carry such strong symbolism for wealth.
———
Some symbolism:
In Chinese culture, pearls symbolize wealth, prosperity, wisdom, and good luck. They are believed to have the power to attract good fortune, and their spherical shape is seen as a representation of perfection and completeness. Additionally, pearls are associated with femininity, purity, and innocence. The Chinese word for pearl, “zhēn zhū,” (珍珠) sounds similar to the word for “precious,” and are highly valued for their symbolic meaning.
During the Lunar New Year, dumplings are one of the staples that are served during celebrations. They represent great wealth and prosperity, as they resemble the shape of a gold or silver ingot, so much so, that during Lunar New Year, they are essentially called gold ingots - “yuán bǎo” (元寶). Yuán bǎo are an imperial Chinese form of currency (as early as 3rd Century AD) that weren’t made by a central bank or mint, but by local silver and goldsmiths. They were counted by moneyhandlers and measured for their weight and purity to determine its worth. Nowadays, they’re a symbol that you’ll see everywhere during the Lunar New Year for wishing prosperity, and also in Chinese funeral traditions. Paper gold ingots and other things are burned as offerings for family members who’ve just passed, and also for those who’ve passed before them during Tomb-Sweeping Day (Qingming) and the Ghost Festival (you need money in the afterlife!).
Photo of gold ingots by 愚木混株 cdd20 on Unsplash
Gold-plated jewelry care:
To prolong the shine and longevity of your gold-plated jewelry, it’s recommended to avoid wearing when swimming (salt or chlorine water), showering, and sweating.
Cleaning your jewelry with a soft lint-free cloth every few months or once a year can help to keep its shine. (Note* Do not use a jewelry polishing cloth - these types of cloths are usually treated with a polishing agent and it can strip the gold plating, however, I highly recommend it if you have tarnishing 925 sterling silver jewelry!)
Warm water and dish soap can also be used to clean your gold-plated jewelry. Avoid anti-bacterial soaps.
Additionally, if you wear the jewelry regularly, your body oils actually help to keep the metal from tarnishing (this goes for sterling silver jewelry as well).
If you wear make up and perfume, try to apply this before putting your jewelry on - have your gold-plated jewelry be the last thing you put on before you leave, and the first thing you take off when you get home. The chemicals in perfumes and colognes can cause a reaction similar to oxidation and can potentially turn the gold plating black!
This information came from a helpful resource I found here !
