What Is the Golden Ratio?
From hurricanes to ancient architecture to the center of sunflowers, examples of the Golden Ratio are all around us.
The Golden Ratio.
Live Science defines the Golden Ratio (also called the Golden Mean or Divine Proportion) as “a special number found by dividing a line into two parts so that the longer part divided by the smaller part is also equal to the whole length divided by the longer part. It is often symbolized using phi, after the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet.” As with pi, the golden ratio is a number whose decimal points go on ad infinitum. 1.61803398875… is just the beginning. Phi is usually rounded off to 1.618. The equation is expressed as a/b = (a+b)/a = 1.618…
Phi.
The Golden Ratio has been discovered and rediscovered by mathematicians throughout ancient history and across cultures. The ratio may be seen in the proportions of great ancient architecture including the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Parthenon. Plato (428 - 347 BCE) described the ratio as the most “universally binding mathematical equation.”
A full-scale recreation of the Parthenon in Nashville, TN.
The Golden Ratio is closely related to the Fibonacci Sequence discovered by Leonardo Fibonacci in 1202. Fibonacci Sequence is a sequence of numbers: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34… The expression is written as xn = xn-1 + xn-2. The Ratio of two successive Fibonacci numbers roughly equal the Golden Ratio--especially as the numbers increase in size.
The Golden Ratio also informs the Golden Rectangle, which is considered the most visually satisfying geometric from. The ratio of the length and width of the Golden Rectangle equal the Golden Ratio. The Golden Rectangle is often employed in photography, art, and design (but more on that in a later post).
Outside of the realm of mathematics, the Golden Ratio plays a surprisingly significant role in the natural world. In nature, the Golden Ratio can be found in the arrangement of flower petals in some flowers, seed heads, pinecones, tree branches, shells, spiral galaxies, dolphins, starfish, sand dollars, honey bees, hurricanes, human fingers, and even our DNA molecules.
Moreover, the Golden Ratio, loosely speaking, can be found on the faces of individuals that are generally found most attractive. A geometric “beauty mask” can help predict whether or not the proportions of an individual's face will be deemed attractive by the average person. Of course, we know that beauty comes down to more than a math equation and it's important to promote concepts of beauty that move past traditional definitions--but it's interesting to think about the way this one equation plays such an important but quiet role in our perception of aesthetics.
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Photo: Live Science, Wikimedia Commons
Should You Store Your Jewelry in a Safe-Deposit Box?
For those rarely-worn heirloom jewels, a safe-deposit box at the bank is likely your safest, most practical storage option. This article discusses important things to consider before finalizing your jewelry storage plan.
Safe-Deposit Box Basics
A safe-deposit box is a mini safe-like box secured inside a bank. Most banks and credit unions offer safe-deposit boxes for rent. Because you will only have access to the box during the bank’s business hours, safe-deposit boxes are best for items that you won’t need in a moments’ notice or in an emergency. When setting up a safe-deposit box, consider who you’d like to be able to access the box in case you are unable to. Trusted individuals may include heirs, a spouse, or a designated power of attorney.
Unlike the money you store in the bank, the valuables in your safe-deposit box are not insured by the government or the banking institution. Therefore, it may be wise to purchase separate insurance from a company that specializes in policies for safe-deposit box contents or consult with your home insurance agent to add a rider or personal article floater for specific valuable items stored in the safe-deposit box to your home insurance policy.
Finally, make sure you inventory your safe-deposit box and keep a current list of its contents.
Will My Jewelry Be Safe in a Safe-Deposit Box?
There is no guarantee that your valuables will be perfectly safe in a safe-deposit box—which is why insuring those valuables is a smart plan. Although disasters are rare, they can happen. After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, roughly 1,300 safe-deposit boxes were collateral damage.
That being said, safe-deposit boxes are typically your safest bet since they are protected from home disasters (flooding, fires, and burglaries), which are more likely to occur than bank disasters.
What about a Home Safe?
Although a home safe is certainly more secure than an unlocked jewelry box—and less expensive than a bank safe-deposit box, most home safes have significant vulnerabilities. Many home safes are less than 100 pounds, so it’s not impossible for someone to walk away with one. They also tend to be easier to crack than bank safe-deposit boxes. The average non-fireproof home safe will only hold up for about an hour in a fire, so if you do rely on a home safe for some of your valuables, it’s wise to invest in a fireproof safe.
The Cost of Using a Safe-Deposit Box
The cost of a box varies depending on its size. Some banks may also offer existing customers discounts on safe-deposit boxes. The following estimates are sourced from Financial Web:
- The smallest safe-deposit box available is 2"x5" and 12” long. Annual rent is typically between $15 and $25 a year.
- A medium safe-deposit box measures 4"x10" and is 12” long. Annual rent is typically between $40 and $65.
- The largest safe-deposit box offered is 15"x22" and 12” long. Annual rent is typically between $185 and $500.
Key deposits are usually $10 to $25 per month, and a replacement key is usually $20.
Photos: Stuart Connor via Flickr, Pixabay, Serendipity Diamonds via Flickr
What Is Art Deco Jewelry?
Art Deco is characterized by a flamboyant playfulness. Using precise lines, sharp angles, basic shapes (like triangles, circles, rectangles, squares, and other polygons), zigzags, sunbursts, geometric themes, and bold, contrasting colors, art deco reflects the swell of industrialization in the early 20th century.
Tips for Redesigning an Engagement Ring
Reimaged engagement ring.
Our personal tastes change as we evolve and encounter new experiences. The thing you once loved in your twenties may no longer hold the same allure for you in your thirties or forties. A style that inspired you in your forties may lose its sparkle for you in your fifties, and so on.
This is a natural process that should be celebrated, not feared or regretted. As the poet Mary Oliver writes:
“We do one thing or another; we stay the same, or we change. Congratulations, if you have changed.”
Of course, your evolved tastes can pose a bit of a conundrum when a cherished piece or an investment piece (like an engagement ring or wedding band) no longer suit your current aesthetic. We may be faced with the choice of leaving it unaltered (but never gaining back the desire to wear it regularly) or altering it in some way with the hope of creating a new version of the piece that you’d enjoy wearing more frequently.
Needless to say, the choice to alter such a piece carries its own risks, so it’s important to take time to think through your idea and work with a jeweler you trust. You can even ask to see photos of similar projects the jeweler has worked on and inquire about their experience altering a pre-made or vintage piece.
Getting Started
There are several ways to begin designing alteration(s) to your jewelry. First, list the things you’d like to change—what no longer appeals to you about the piece? If it’s a ring, is the band too thick? What about the texture of the metal? Its color? Next, is there anything you’d like to see added? Would you like to include a stone setting for a new diamond? Would you like the band engraved?
If you’re feeling stumped, look at jewelry catalogs or scan Pinterest for fresh ideas. If a style leaps out to you, be specific about what appeals to you. You can even check our tips for couples designing their own engagement ring since many may apply to jewelry redesign.
Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box.
When Barbara Michelle Jacobs jeweler Barbara Polinksy found herself wanting to change the look of her engagement ring, she turned to a family heirloom for ideas (and then some).
Using her grandfather’s wedding band, Polinksy created a new (i.e. repurposed) band and included a tapered bezel setting for the diamond from her original engagement ring. This process could be replicated with a heirloom band of your own—or with a vintage piece from Etsy or Ebay.
Altering your engagement ring, wedding band, or any other significant piece of jewelry is not a DIY project (unless you’re a professional jeweler, of course!). Such important work should be handled by a jeweler that you trust and enjoy collaborating with.
Photos: Barbara Polinsky
What Are the Different Kinds of Pearls?
Pearls are adored for their unique qualities and prized for the way they tend to ooze class as sophistication.
Gift Ideas for Bridesmaids and Groomsmen
It’s tradition to honor each member of the wedding party with a gift—and this is one wedding tradition that actually makes sense. Whether the gifts you choose are large or small, the important part is that they say, “Thank you!”
Choosing Your Wedding Day Jewelry
You’ve picked out your theme, your colors, and even your dress. As wedding planning goes, you’ve made huge progress! Now it’s time to turn your attention to smaller—but still important—matters: the special touches that make your wedding day look unique and “so you.” We’re talking about wedding day jewelry.
Just like your perfume and wedding shoes, your wedding day jewelry will hold special meaning for the rest of your married life. Even new pieces chosen with special care will suddenly become dear treasures after your big day. The process of choosing jewelry shouldn’t be stressful, though—save your furrowed brow for narrowing the guest list. Rather, picking your jewelry should be enjoyable—something to look back on with fondness. You can even make selecting your jewelry an event by enlisting the help of your mother and bridesmaids. Alternatively, keep your jewelry shopping a private affair, and use the selection process as a time to relax and enjoy spending time with yourself.
The following are a few ideas to get you thinking about your wedding day jewelry. These are just suggestions, however; remember that when it comes to your wedding, you (the bride!) make your own rules.
Consider your dress.
As the foundation of your wedding fashion, your dress will likely determine the style and kind of jewelry that you wear for your wedding. First, consider the silhouette of the dress. For example, if you’re wearing a dress with a detailed or high neckline, a necklace may “get in the way” or compete with the design elements on or around your neckline. If you’re wearing a simple, strapless dress, however, your décolleté may be begging for a statement necklace!
After considering the silhouette of your dress, think about its style. Is it ornate? Bohemian? Minimalist? Ideally, your jewelry will complement your dress. For example, a less formal dress may not pair especially well with a diamond tennis bracelet. Meanwhile, a fancy ballgown style probably wouldn't do well with a strand of semi-precious stones. (Of course, none of these guidelines are set in stone, and you’ll never really know about a particular pairing until you try it!)
Finally, don’t overlook the color of your dress. A pure white gown may clash with gold, so opt for pearl or white metal. Slightly off-white fabric pairs with just about anything, however, so don’t limit yourself by color. Lastly, an ivory gown is best paired with gold or rose gold metal.
Gold complements off-white and ivory dresses.
Barbara Michelle Jacobs Chandelier Twig Earrings with Peridot Dangles
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.
Your jewelry is a great outlet for incorporating something old, new, borrowed, and/or blue—if you’re interested in following that tradition. Don’t feel pressured to wear something just because it checks off one of the “somethings,” however!
Think beyond the basics.
You can “wear” a piece of wedding day jewelry on your bouquet. If you have an heirloom brooch, bracelet, or necklace that you’d like to incorporate in your ceremony but not necessarily on your person, consider pinning it to or wrapping it around your bouquet. This will help your bouquet stand out from the rest while also giving it (additional) special meaning.
Don’t forget that hair can sparkle, too.
Your wedding may be of the few occasions when you can wear diamonds or crystals in your hair. If you’re not wearing a necklace, consider adding some sparkle to your hair in the form of a repurposed brooch, a tiara, or crystal-blazoned comb. Keep in mind that your hair piece should complement (rather than compete with) your necklace, earrings, etc.
Give it all a test run.
Once you’ve narrowed down your jewelry selection, try on your dress with your accessories. Move things around. Add a piece. Subtract a piece. See what arrangement you like best. And don’t forget to snap a pic!
Give a little TLC to your engagement ring.
The most important piece of your wedding jewelry ensemble is obviously your engagement ring! Chances are you already have one by the time you’ve picked out your dress (but if you need tips on choosing or designing an engagement ring, check out this post). On the day before your wedding, clean and polish your engagement ring. It will likely be given a lot of attention on the day of your wedding!
Barbara Michelle Jacobs Princess Diamond Twig Engagement Ring
More wedding advice:
Ethical and Eco-Friendly Wedding Ideas
Photo: Barbara Michelle Jacobs, Mary Hood Luttrell, Elizabeth Scott Photography, Powder Blue Bijoux
