One of my new favorite things: a ring

I received an adjustable cocktail ring as a freebie with a purchase I made from Carousell. I didn't like the color at first, so I immediately tossed it into my To Donate pile, which soon got lost among my clutter. 

I found it again recently, years later, and this time around, the light hit it differently, and I found myself enamored by the vibrant cyan color. I looked closer and noticed that the center stone was framed by tiny crystals instead of what I mistakenly thought were metal engravings. There's also a marking on the band that may be "925," which indicates that the ring is made of sterling silver, a precious metal.

So I did some quick research. While the ring is not that valuable, it's also not as cheap as I originally thought! I really thought it was glass or, worse, plastic!

My quick research told me that, for costume jewelry, sterling silver is typically partnered with cubic zirconia and, at a minimum, lab-grown gemstones. In the case of my ring, it could be a lab-grown spinel made to mimic the incredibly rare Paraiba tourmaline.

Paraiba tourmaline is more expensive than a diamond. One Paraiba tourmaline is unearthed for every 10,000 diamonds mined!

Tourmaline, in general, also shares with opal the designation as the October birthstone.

Paraiba tourmaline is highly favored by artists, writers, and entrepreneurs because it is believed to trigger intense creative inspiration, helping a person take an abstract, brilliant concept out of their imagination and successfully manifest it into the physical world.

I also read that Paraiba tourmaline is considered one of the ultimate stones for self-expression, helping one align their thoughts with their voice.

Let me channel those energies with my synthetic gemstone!

Another plus point is that both cubic zirconia and spinel have a Mohs hardness of 8, making them durable for everyday wear.

Personally, I have come to love this ring because it reminds me of our country's turquoise waters and my deep but forgotten connection with the ocean, being an island girl.  

On finding good luck charms

Still in the thick of decluttering, I found these seeds I picked up during a trip to Siquijor years ago. They were nestled in a small pocket carved by the waves on a beachside rock. I was fascinated by their shape--they looked like stone-gray eggs--and when I picked one of them up and shook it instinctively, I was amused to hear it rattle.

I found out today what they are called: nickernuts, sea pearls, or fever nuts, the seeds of the coastal Caesalpinia bonduc vine.

​In our language, they are called ​kalumbibit or ​bayag-kambing.

They usually come in pairs in a pod that cracks open, releasing them into the sea, where they travel on currents, crossing oceans and washing up along beaches.

Apparently, they have medicinal (they are used to treat fevers, expel worms, ease period pains, and many more ailments) and traditional uses (children use them as marbles or as tokens in the board game sungka). 

What fascinates me more, however, is that they are also considered good luck charms in many cultures.

The Aztecs believed they had protective energy. In Santeria, they are considered "curse removers." In India, these seeds are strung on necklaces to ensure a safe pregnancy.

In the Philippines, they are seen as natural tokens of protection and fortune. In fact, they are for sale in Shopee and Lazada as "pampaswerte sa sugal at negosyo." 

How serendipitous that I gravitated naturally towards picking them up. I'll take all the positive juju I can get, thank you.