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Koffeetech Communications, founded by Parita and Jay, is a dynamic digital marketing agency driven by passion and innovation. Parita's background in IT and business development, combined with Jay's entrepreneurial vision, fuels their success. They focus on practical, client-centric strategies and are expanding across India and Dubai while staying true to their core values.
Artist of the Month
Parita, could you share with us the story behind founding Koffeetech communications? What inspired you to start this venture, and how has your background in IT and business development shaped its mission and values?
There is no such specific story behind it. Although, an interesting fact about me is that I always loved playing the corporate girl role even when I was a kid. This is how I knew what I wanted to be in my life, the corporate industry always intrigued me. As far as the inspiration to start this venture is concerned, Jay has always played a major role in it. He motivated me to be a part of it.
Initially, I was responsible for managing the operations department for Koffeetech Communications but as we grew over the years, my responsibilities expanded in different horizons.
Additionally, my background in business development and IT has taught me that in business, you have to be active constantly and you need to know how to sell- Ideas or products, do not matter.
Jay Could you tell us about your journey as well. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur, and how did you get started in your fie
I always say that “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”. In my life, that one step was the growing opportunity that I saw during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The global crisis made me realize the importance of digital literacy when all businesses turned to digital solutions for survival and growth. And since then, I have promised myself to work towards its improvement and expansion.
Koffeetech Communications is known for its innovative approach to digital marketing. What are some of the key principles or strategies that have helped your team differentiate and succeed in this competitive industry?
While we are heavily focused on our industry, our growth has brought together a skilled team with experience in specialized sectors. I feel that I haven't reached my full potential yet, as there is still much to achieve, and success cannot be measured by a single criterion. As an agency owner, I depend on several key factors for success, including team building, a client-focused approach, market research, and adherence to ethical practices.
As a leader in both technology and marketing, how do you balance innovation with the practical needs of your clients, especially small and medium-sized businesses? Could you share an example of a project where this balance was particularly crucial?
If the innovation is not practical, I do not think it serves any purpose of being innovative. We do not go from innovation to practical needs, it is the other way around. We understand the needs first and make sure it is innovative enough to catch the eye and bring results. Kabra, Romell, and Mayfair were a few projects with demand for location targeting and targeted lead generation. Here, we have to be innovative because those locations have a lot of competitors. So, an innovative approach will make sure you get noticed.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who are just starting Out?
Don’t ever stop Learning, Learn to Adapt, adjustment is a part of entrepreneurship, and let that passion never die. Focus on your journey and don't be concerned about the competition. Consistency and hard work will be essential for your success in the long run. Avoid the temptation of quick-fix schemes and instead, think about your long-term goals.
SEPTEMBER 2024 EDITION
Geographical expansion is on the horizon for Koffeetech, with plans to extend into multiple Indian cities and even Dubai. What factors are driving this expansion, and how do you envision maintaining the company’s core values and quality of service as you grow?
I was the only one managing things with a set of experienced professionals in respective fields. However, as we've expanded, particularly in cities like Dubai and India, we've begun hiring individuals with expertise in managing large teams. My primary criterion for hiring is that they share the same passion for this business as I do. I seek individuals who are eager for opportunities and driven to advance their careers.
20 - Fashion Article
FASHION FASHION
PSYCHOLOGY PSYCHOLOGY
WRITTEN BY: JOANNA LEWI FERDINAND
How much of your daily dressing is passive despite the active assumptions others make about you?
“Fashion should be a form of escapism, not a form of imprisonment"
The past notion that “the dress agreed upon by the modest majority keeps social equilibrium” , was hardly true then and isn’t helpful now (Jordan et al., 2021). Agreeing to allow a slowly moving group of people to set the social tone for what is desirable and acceptable way of dress in any given culture is harmful.
The harm comes from giving the power of nonverbal language directly to society, cutting out the influence of Self. The Self is the true, undamaged, born essence of a person (Schwartz & Sweezy, 2020).
A relevant example of how the Self is cut off from clothing due to the influence of the majority is high heels. Women often carry more comfortable shoes in their purses to put on after an event. High heels are uncomfortable and painful. Yet, wearing high heels can be a badge of honor. But who is this badge for? Is the Self content to be in pain? Are the feet willing participants? Or is the badge worn for society to see? Women whose foot anatomy and pain tolerance has changed after acclimating to high heels confidently tell their friends that they are more comfortable in heels than flats. Some cultures believe that a woman in flat shoes has given up on her image. Yet, no one is rushing out to purchase hiking heels because the hiking culture does not support that option. The culture has dictated heels are appropriate for business, casual and special events but no one checked in with the Self.
Connection to the Law
Often clothing requirements and regulation are mandated by law. Often, the politicized regulation of clothing serves an agenda outside of safety and health, like with the mandating of the Hajib in some areas, and the restricting of the Hajib in other areas. If the conversation between Self and clothing concluded to go against the law, consequences would need to be weighed. But in the system of influence on fashion and dressing, being in contact with the Self on what you wear and why could balance the odds that the law brings against freedom of Self and nonverbal communication.
Connection to Society
Research show that uniforms are associated with the perception of increased competence, reliability, intelligence, helpfulness, status, and authority. Individuals have been found to be more aggressive when wearing a black sports kit or a hood and cap, while women are less aggressive when wearing a nurse’s uniform. These observations can be explained through the concept of enclothed cognition, a term proposed by Adam & Galinsky. Enclothed cognition is the phenomenon of people adopting the traits and properties they associate with the clothes they wear The more intense the surrounding ethnic culture is, the easier it is for consumers to have the desire to buy ethnic clothing. And if you are in an area where the national color is relatively diluted, it will reduce the consumer’s desire to buy.
At an early age, we are dressed by our parents to fit in with the culture of our peer group, and the agreed upon aesthetic of the laws of the school. While this choice to take away the choice of dress from younger children can be seen as an act of care, taking the autonomy of dressing away from a child could also take away a child’s time of cultivating how they do their daily ritual of dress, and how their choice fits into the system of social code dressing. Any failures or success in dressing lies with the parents and removes the child from the relationship with their clothing and the consequences of their would-be-choices. Identity issues arising rapidly around age 9 are already exacerbated by the lack of diverse role models in the media and leadership (MacDonald, 2014). And the author wonders if the guiding hand of parents in their children’s clothing choices may be more for the comfort of the parents than for the development of the child. But how is this potentially effecting a child who feels like an imposter in their clothing? And does this person walking around in nonverbal cues that are not their own help them in life, or hinder them?
Connection to Self
Whether you are male or female, Reed found that an individual’s clothing style is influenced by aspects of self-concept such as identity, value, attitude, and mood. Sontag and Lee. stated that body image may affect clothing behavior and clothing may affect body image and self-feelings. Clothing reflects the self — the identity, the material practice we engage with in daily life. One’s wardrobe is known to be an extension of the diverse aspects of one’s beliefs and constructs social identity. clothing as utility or necessity is a strong indicator about the person’s inner world and their disconnection from Self. For example, a person recently noted that the person does not wear white. When asked why, the person said that white gets too dirty. But a white shirt or a navy shirt will have the same opportunity to be soiled through the course of the same day on the same body. However, the navy shirt will show less soil and allow the wearer to appear cleaner.
So, it’s likely that the person isn’t worried about the actual dirt, but the person’s appearance as dirty. The comment was about a white shirt showing dirt, not the need for the person to find a way to stay cleaner during the day.If the person had noted that the person hated looking dirty and appreciated the concealment of the navy color of dirt, that would be a different level of self-awareness. If the man truly prefers navy shirts over white, then the issue of how the man
Conclusion
Allowing the impact of clothing as a non-verbal cue to go unnoticed within your authentic self is a missed opportunity to create safety in your inner world and understand your own choices, It’s possible that you know why you wear what you wear. But now, some of us may feel that we dress for others, to gain respect, or to look competent though we feel disconnected to what we are wearing, some of us still don’t know why some clothing is too special to wear and too special to throw away, some of us may never think about our connection to clothing until our spouse dies and we can’t seem to handle their clothing, and some of us have never think about the connection of ourselves, our clothing, and society or don’t know why we wear what we wear... And that’s okay!
Maybe we haven’t moved forward in the personal psychology of clothing because we haven’t reconciled our relationship with clothing in the past and now is the time to check in with our Self and see if we should.
EMPOW WITH TIMELESS ER THE UNSTOPPABLE JOURNEY OF JANINE LEGHISSA AND HER BRANDS, DESIDERATE AND TALEETA."
START-UP STORY
ABOUT DEDSIDERATE & TALEETA
Hey there! I'm Janine Leghissa, a woman who's all about juggling life's many adventures., I've discovered my passion for running online stores and creating fabulous products that make people smile.
My journey began when I founded Desiderate, an online jewellery brand that's all about celebrating the beauty and individuality of Australian women aged 35 and above. Back in 2017, I was a single mom facing financial challenges and dealing with a chronic illness. But hey, I've never been one to back down from a challenge!
With sheer determination and a sprinkle of creativity, I dove headfirst into the world of online business. I taught myself everything from creating eye-catching designs to marketing my products like a pro. It wasn't long before I realised that there was a gap in the market for older women who were craving unique and stylish jewellery that major retailers simply weren't providing. That's when Desiderate was born.
Fast forward five years, and Desiderate has become a multimillion-dollar success story. We've got a fantastic team of eight talented individuals, a jaw-dropping collection of over 1,000 products, and enough 5star online reviews to make us blush. It's been an incredible journey, and I'm immensely grateful for the support of our fabulous customers.
But guess what? I'm not one to rest on my laurels. I've recently set my sights on the fashion world, and I'm super excited to announce the launch of Taleeta, a sister label to Desiderate. With Taleeta, we're bringing stylish and flattering clothing in natural fabrics to women in the same demographic. Because hey, why stop at jewellery when we can dress you from head to toe in fabulousness?
HOW TO DRESS FOR THE 2023 ECLIPSE FESTIVITIES
WRITTEN BY: MARSHALL BONE
In 2023, parts of the Southwest and West Coast of the United States will be experiencing what’s known as an annular solar eclipse. This astrological phenomenon is similar to the more famous total solar eclipse—one of which will be occurring in 2024! The main difference between the two is that viewers of an annular solar eclipse will not experience the two-and-a-half minutes of darkness that is observable in the path of totality. Other than that small difference, the events are remarkably similar.
One of the most thrilling parts of watching an eclipse, whether it’s annular or total, is the communal nature of the event. It seems to be one of the few occasions where people get out of their homes and stand outside with both
Inject Your Personality Into Your Eclipse Style
One of the wonderful elements of eclipse viewing is having fun with the people around you. So feel free to dress in a way that shows your unique sense of style and personality. If your viewing group is leaning hard into a party atmosphere, costumes are a fun way to keep things lively. If you’re in a situation where more professional attire is required, consider wearing festive jewelry, fun hats, or other accessories that can show your personality while still maintaining a more formal dress. Whichever direction you go, have fun!
Don’t Forget Your Eyes
More important than your choice of eclipse clothes is your decision when it comes to eclipse glasses. No matter if you’re viewing an annular or total eclipse, it’s necessary that you utilize the proper equipment. Did you know that looking at an eclipse with unprotected eyes, even for a few seconds, could cause harm? Until you’ve chosen your eyewear, the rest of your eclipse style won’t really matter.
When it comes to your choosing your eclipse glasses, make your purchase the best one. Here’s why:
Protect your eyes from harmful solar radiation during eclipses and solar events with eclipse glasses that are trusted by the AAS and NASA, and do meet the standard for ISO 12312-2:2015. These glasses are "CE" certified, which means they fulfil the transmission criteria of EN 169/1992 scale 12-16 for entirely safe direct solar viewing.
Because of the unique nature of eclipse viewing, we’ve found that eclipsewatching can become a community event. People are willing to gather together, enjoy each other's company, and celebrate this exhilarating occurrence with those around them.
My advice is simple: embrace the exuberance of eclipse watching! In fact, one of our favorite things to watch during an eclipse is not just the sun...it’s the unique eclipse clothes and styles folks are wearing! People often get very creative when it comes to what they wear for eclipse viewing.
If you’re looking for some inspiration on what to wear for your next eclipse viewing, here’s my suggestions on how to dress for the 2023 eclipse festivities.
Stay Comfortable
If you want to experience all that the annular eclipse has to offer, you’ll be outside for several hours. As such, make sure you’re dressing comfortably, particularly for the fall season. Wearing comfortable shoes and dressing in layers should be high priorities when you’re choosing your eclipse clothes. As the day warms and the autumn chill begins to fade, you’ll be glad you
The transmission requirements of EN 1836:2005 and AS/NZS 1338.1:1992 for eclipse filters (Queensland Directive) are met by these eclipse sunglasses. These glasses are composed of high-quality materials. These specialist solar viewer lenses are scratch-resistant and have a grade-five optical density. This provides complete protection against potentially hazardous sun rays. “Black Polymer” completely filters out 100% of ultraviolet light, infrared light, and 99.999% of intense visible light. The filters fitted on the lenses will produce an orange-colored image of the sun with greater clarity.
It’s Detox Time
It’s all about your beauty routine
Written by Lynn Power
We have all heard about the importance of detoxing or cleansing (and it’s not just for drugs). Dry January? That’s all about detoxing your liver. No red meat? Sugar? Fast food? Caffeine? I think most of us have tried eliminating at least one of these at some point. And intuitively, it’s pretty easy to get the benefits of why those things are not good for you.
But what about your beauty? How many times have you thought that your beauty routine might need a cleanse too?
Well, the sad reality is that the majority of beauty products on the market (yes, even your mascara!) contain harmful chemicals.
EWG, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to helping you live your healthiest life says, “Since 2009, 595 cosmetics manufacturers have reported using 88 chemicals, in more than 73,000 products, that have been linked to cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm.”
It doesn’t help that the beauty industry is largely unregulated in the U.S., banning only 24 known toxic-ingredients vs. the EU’s 1328. That’s right (there’s no typo). That’s 55x more harmful ingredients kept out of consumers’ way in the EU. The beauty industry is also one of the worst offenders of adding to landfill – much of the packaging is notoriously hard to recycle. But that’s for another blog post. Before you pack up to go live in Paris or Berlin, there are some things you can do to take control of your beauty routine.
TAKE BACK CONTROL WITH THESE STEPS
The first thing you can do is to start educating yourself about the harmful ingredients to avoid. The top three offenders are sulfates, parabens and phthalates. They can show up on labels as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) – the two most common sulfates in haircare and skincare. Sulfates can cause irritation, rashes, allergic reactions and more. With parabens, it’s even easier to find them – their full chemical names always end in “paraben” (e.g., methylparaben, propylparaben, or butylparaben). Phthalates have scary sounding names like Di(2-Ethylhexyl)Phthalate (DEHP), Di-nbutyl Phthalate, Di-n-octylphthalate (DNOP), Diethyl phthalate. But, be careful about fragrances. If the manufacturer doesn’t disclose that their product is phthalate-free and it has a fragrance, chances are it does contain phthalates. Fragrance is a place where they can lurk – and the FDA doesn’t require manufacturers to share what their fragrance is made of. Parabens and phthalates are bad because they can increase your risk of cancer, they can disrupt your endocrine system, your reproductive system and even shrink a guy’s junk. Yes, you read that right. Most men would happily switch to cleaner products knowing that fun fact.
Look for products that are vegan and cruelty free. Most vegan beauty products are made with natural ingredients and less synthetic stuff than mass beauty brands.These products won’t have animal by-products or are tested on animals. So they are cleaner for you and the world.
Consider how old your beauty products are. Yes, your beauty products do expire! Keeping them long beyond their manufacture date can not just degrade the formulas as they break down over time, but they won’t work as well. They can change color and even contain harmful bacteria. Even though manufacturers are not required to put an expiration date on the packaging, you can use your judgment. As a rule of thumb, makeup typically lasts a year from manufacture date but if it’s properly sealed, it can last up to 3 years. Powder can last a bit longer than liquids. Skincare and shampoo can last 2-4 years. Anything that you can trace back a decade really needs to go.
And because my own brand cares about sustainability, I have a hard time telling people to throw out products they just bought to switch to cleaner formulas. So a good way to make this somewhat daunting job easier is to trade up to sulfate, paraben and phthalate free formulas once you finish using up a product. This way, you can also be sure it will perform well for your skin or hair and you won’t be changing everything up all at once. Many clean formulas will do more with less (ingredients, quantity) so you may even find you can trade out 2 or 3 products for one cleaner one – and save money too!
If you have any tips or tricks for detoxing your beauty routine, I’d love to hear them. Drop me a comment!
THE CRYING SPOT
WRITTEN BY: KELLY WILK
We all have them, the place where no one is around to judge the volume of our wails. Often it can be the shower, perhaps the bed but those are obvious. I am talking about the place that stands you stock-still and comes to your mind as the spot you are desperate to get to just so you can feel safe enough to let it out. When Kara my thirty-five-year-old wife died of an unknown illness after two and a half weeks of very bad pneumonia symptoms, I found mine.
Her flu like symptoms were not irregular with her weak respiratory system. That was until she could scarcely breath, so I sent her to the hospital with her father and she never came home. I was there when she passed away, my brother-in-law and Kara’s cousin were looking after our one-and-a-half-year-old after I had been hastily called back to the hospital.
She lasted to the morning of November 11, 2012. I watched the medical team bring her back and then fail again and again. Somehow, I ended up at home again; shutting my curtains against the dawn and wrapping myself in a quilt with that beautiful finite smell of hers still present, but she was gone.
Kara’s family was from the East Coast of Canada where they loved throwing “kitchen parties” so when I came through the kitchen door and stood with a fancy box containing my late wife I thought ‘where the hell do I put this?’ Then it struck me, the kitchen of course. So, I put the box shaped wooden urn on the counter possibly next to the cookie jar. Then I took the box shaped urn belonging to Piper, the cat Kara and I had to put down a few months prior to her death.
Then I anticipated (correctly) Piper continuing to swipe at my wife from the other world as Piper was a rescue and hated everyone but me. I called it my Jenga tower of death and got a kick out of the double take friends and family did when they came through the door and spied my creation.
These of course were the light-hearted moments that happened in the kitchen, but for all the laugher there was a definite equivalent of tears. I remember one night trying to order Chinese Food for friends and was called to be told my card had declined. I was in shock, not so much that this was a problem I could not figure out but because it was one of those things where I would have been looking at Kara and saying ‘what the hell happened’ except she of course was not there. I had a mental implosion and ran to the kitchen, slid down to the floor with my back against the cupboard and cried.
I have often wondered at why this impulse has taken hold. I have considered that originally there was something about the energy in this part of the house that was irresistibly grounding. However, since I moved into a triplex with a friend the kitchen is still my spot to cry, a comforting coping habit. I suppose it was also mentally and emotionally comforting too, like being spooned. However, as Kara was not available to perform that duty either, there I was spooning myself…in the kitchen. Good thing I had a pregnancy pillow to create a softer landing when I cried in bed.
At that moment, I just stared at the visa in one hand and the phone in the other. A friend came into the kitchen and just sat by me. I was in so much shock I think I couldn’t even say anything. Looking into my journey of grief I continued to spend a lot of time in this room laughing and weeping. Well, laughing, weeping, and cooking sometimes all three at once.
Why you might ask, Kara was gone and so were her recipes? Even if I knew exactly what was in them or had the directions, I was still in mourning for how she cooked them, exactly. I would never taste how she particularly cooked things again. It’s the cruelty of grief, that there are some places where it always has to be faced. I still have one last jar of her bl b d I h th ht I ill lit ll h t t k
On my first attempt at a Kara original meal I tried to cook mushrooms on toast. The only specific craving I had when I was pregnant with our son was mushrooms and one night we went to a late hour grocery store to get some and make that night. There was just something about the way the butter turned bronze in the pan as the mushrooms became glossy and the aroma of the spices filled the air. I cried as I made them, it was like every gesture, every thought along the way created physical pain because it was the first time I was doing this without her. That’s loss my friend. When all you want is a taste of the love and affection, to have for a moment as if it is bodily there to taste, to feel and live again one more time. Not like it is a memory, but the present moment.
As I ate the mushrooms on the crunchy bread in that moment Kara was once more beside me. Like we were still feathering our nest, waiting for our child to arrive. The dish was close to perfect so if I closed my eyes, I knew she was there, saying she was sorry she was not. And maybe next time, more pepper.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SELFAWARENESS AND SELF-WORTH FOR WOMEN
DR. AMY CARMICHAEL
In a world where external judgments can be disheartening, women face a lot of societal pressures and expectations. It is important to recognize that comments on physical appearance, career choices, or our life choices in general, are mere reflections of societal bias. I would not deny that hearing these comments are daunting, but we can counter it through self-awareness and knowing our self-worth as a woman. Understanding your self-worth becomes a cornerstone for resilience and empowerment.
My journey has led me to appreciate the significance of self-worth and self-awareness, especially in a society that tends to judge individuals based on societal norms. As a woman who has a somewhat unconventional career; a medical doctor specializing in plant-based medication, adds an extra layer of complexity to my journey, often met with judgments and preconceived notions. I would not say that the journey was easy, but I would do it all over again if I know that it is taking me to live the life I am currently in.
Just recently I experienced a judgment by a man who identified as a scientist. He struggled to accept the legitimacy of my profession. He was very adamant that my career choice is all recreational. It was pretty hurtful Despite the growing acceptance of this alternative medicine, t is reaction slapped m der to the importance If I hadn’t to the self blame. I wo passionate about. I mi gment of a person wh oesn't even know me in f judgment that I fa r me to remind w
In the fa nize the power o strong, confiden queness are the urselves may be men can empowe preciate and valu
In today of their intrinsic elves a moment woman is uniqu ngs that do not s hinders personal growth. By doing so, we create space for better opportunities and experiences to enter our lives. This process is not only a demonstration of self-worth but also an act of self-love.
HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO BOOST YOUR SELF-WORTH THAT I HAVE ALWAYS SHARED WITH MY PATIENTS:
PRACTICE MINDFULNESS.
Research has shown that women have more tendency to ruminate than men. Mindfulness disrupts the pattern of rumination by telling our mind to observe thoughts without getting dragged by it. Whether through meditation, deep breathing, or simply being present in the moment, mindfulness fosters self-awareness.
EMBRACE IMPERFECTIONS.
Acknowledge that nobody is perfect. Embrace the fact that imperfection is a part of you that makes you unique. It's okay to make mistakes; they contribute to your growt
CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENTS.
No matter how small it is, celebrate each one of your accomplishments. By celebrating your success, you are recognizing your efforts. This positive reinforcement contributes to a sense of selfworth.
LEARN TO FORGIVE AND LET GO
Research suggests that having resentment can contribute to chronic stress, which, in turn, may lead to various health problems and mental health issues. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting the pain it caused. Rather, it means acknowledging the pain, and choosing to let go of anger and resentment that is resulted by it.
Once you've acknowledged and embraced your self-worth, it's truly liberating! It enables us to overcome judgements, break free from societal norms, and live authentically. The journey could be challenging, but trust me, it is through these challenges that we find the most of ourselves. It takes practice, but you will slowly get a hold of yourself. This is where we find our strength and power. So let’s celebrate ourselves as women, appreciate our authenticity, and continue on a path of endless selfdiscovery and love.
8 GEMSTONES WHICH ARE UNIVERSALLY SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE
Writer by: Lesley Naik
The ongoing globalisation of retail markets is leading to a more interconnected world and the development of a globally shared culture. However, this shared culture continues to exist alongside the dominant tenets of ethnic diversity and multi-culturalism. So how do businesses which offer their products to the world cater to different ethnicity and cultures?
Specifically, in relation to the jewellery industry, we are frequently asked “What gemstone is suitable for everyone?” This article will answer that concrete question, but it will also explore the broader and more confounding concepts of cultural diversity, multi-ethnicity, and multi-nationalism, which sit behind the answers to that specific question.
So, what gemstone is suitable for everyone? Well, the answers are:
it really depends on how you define “suitable” (i.e. what factors do you perceive to be relevant with reference to your cultural, religious, socioeconomic backgrounds); and
while the world is a collection of individuals and it is not possible to identify one gemstone which suits everyone, there are 8 gemstones with broad universal appeal that collectively, will suit almost all people (i.e. no matter how diverse a group is, there will always be a level of pluralism that allows the majority of people’s needs to be met).
The world is a big place
There is no objective way of identifying one “perfect” gemstone which suits everyone. People are individuals and there is often a multi factorial assessment which goes into choosing what is the perfect gemstone for that person, in that particular circumstance, at that specific point in time etc. There isn’t a one size fits all approach to matching people with their perfect piece of gemstone jewellery.
However, with all that being said, with a bit of clever analysis, you can certainly narrow the options down substantially so that you are left with a shortlist of gemstones which have a high likelihood of being universally suitable for every single person, no matter what culture or society they originate from or currently live in.
In particular, there are 8 universally suitable gemstones you should know about (the “Universal 8”). Collectively, these are estimated to be suitable for 90+% of people.
Intuitive decision makers
Before you read any further, it is worth acknowledging that some people prefer to make decisions which are led by their instincts or “gut reaction”. For these people, th b t t th ti f h t t i it bl f i
Colour, styling and appearance
While these factors are still largely specific to the person you have in mind, it can be helpful to exclude gemstones with outlier or niche colour characteristics such as black onyx and turquoise. There is certainly a time and place for these gemstones, but they will not be suitable for the broadest general segment of the global population.
Having regard to gender, general cultural and societal colour preferences and the most common hair and skin combinations from the various continents (all of which we see here in Australia, which has large Asian and European ex-patriot and immigrant populations), we recommend the following gemstones for their (almost) universal suitability from a colouring, styling and appearance perspective:
Amethyst
Blue Topaz
Citrine
Rose Quartz
Ruby
Emerald
Sapphire
Peridot
SUMMARY OF CO
You can find just ab However, these can be distilled down to 8 gemstones, representing the main colours which suit a broad range of the population’s skin and hair characteristics and the flow-on effect to wearers’ clothing and accessories choices.
These colours are purple (amethyst), light blue (blue topaz), yellow/gold (citrine), pink (rose quartz), red (ruby), dark green (emerald), dark blue (sapphire) and light green (peridot). These are the “Universal 8”.
Gemstone symbolism
Let’s now examine the common symbolic meanings for the above 8 high suitability gemstones to assess how likely it is for these meanings to be relevant and impactful for a broad range of the population.
Amethyst
Amethyst is often associated with healing and spiritual growth. It is believed to promote calmness and relaxation, making it ideal for anyone experiencing anxiety or stress.
It is also known to enhance intuition and psychic abilities. At Earthlight, amethyst features in our symbolic gemstone necklaces and is primarily used to symbolise inner strength and denote a human spirit which is capable of withstanding, and even flourishing, in the face of challenging life moments.
Blue Topaz
This gemstone is believed to promote communication, self-expression and creative thinking. Like other blue coloured stones, it is also associated with feelings of calm and relaxation. Earthlight uses blue topaz in its symbolic gemstone necklaces to facilitate decision making and clarity of thought, as well as to recognise the superpowers of intellect, astuteness and intuition in its Superpower® Blue Topaz jewellery.
Citrine
Citrine is a popular gemstone that is said to attract abundance and prosperity. This gemstone is often associated with joy, positivity, self-confidence and human connection. Earthlight uses citrine to represent and promote meaningful relationships, personal creativity, goal-setting, achievement and success, including in its Titania Self Belief Ring.
Rose Quartz
Known as the “love stone”, rose quartz is thought to promote unconditional and enduring love, as well as compassion and forgiveness. It is also strongly representative of femininity and its associated characteristics such as kindness, openness and empathy.
Earthlight utilises rose Emerald, Emerald is strongly associated with love and harmonious relationships, as well as wealth, prosperity and abundance. It is also used to symbolise growth and renewal and is associated with nature and the circle of life. Emerald is also revered as a stone of spiritual insight and wisdom and is said to enhance psychic ability and spiritual awareness. Earthlight uses Emerald to represent the human qualities of kindness, empathy and thoughtfulness.
Sapphire
Sapphire is often used to signify truth and loyalty, as well as wisdom, knowledge and clarity of thought. For those reasons, Earthlight utilises blue sapphire alternatively with blue topaz to recognise and promote intellect, astuteness, intuitiveness and clear-thinking. Quartz to promote fertility and pregnancy through the mind-body connection, as well as to symbolise the enduring love between mothers and their children, including in its Estella Remembrance Ring, for children who are no longer in this physical world.
Ruby
The dark red hue of ruby is frequently used to represent passion and love. It is often given as a gift to celebrate anniversaries and other significant milestones in a relationship. Ruby is believed to enhance passion and intimacy and strengthen relationships.
Peridot
The vibrant green colour tone of peridot is perfect for representing healing, renewal and growth. It is also a stone which is believed to promote vitality and energy, both physically and emotionally. Earthlight uses peridot to symbolise individuality, personality and self-expression.
SUMMARY OF GEMSTONE SYMBOLISM:
At Earthlight, we believe in individuality and a freedom to always apply a personalised meaning to gemstones. However, for those requiring a bit more of a framework and direction in their gemstone symbolism journey, certain gemstones are more strongly associated with particular symbolisms and it might be helpful to read the descriptions of the Universal 8 gemstones with the prospective wearer in mind, to see if any of them resonate strongly with you as being the perfect gemstone for that person, at this time.
Rarity and perceived value
In broad terms, semi-precious gemstones such amethyst, blue topaz, citrine, rose quartz and peridot are relatively easy to find. However, the key is knowing the grading of the gemstones when it comes to using them for jewellery.
The differences between gemstones and crystals is a whole other topic but the central idea to keep in mind is that only the highest quality gemstones (A grade and upwards) should be used in jewellery. This explains why a very large sized crystal rose quartz specimen can sometimes be priced lower than a high grade, gemstone quality rose quartz crystal.
In comparison to semi-precious gemstones, precious gemstones such as ruby, emerald and sapphire are considerably rarer and therefore, almost always more expensive than semi-precious gemstones. Particular variants of precious gemstones (for example, the highly prized pink/orange Padparadscha Sapphire), may also only be found in certain countries or regions and therefore, may be exceptionally difficult to source and expensive to purchase.
SUMMARY OF RARITY AND PERCEIVED VALUE:
The distinction between previous and semi-precious gemstones is to a large extent reflective of the rarity of these gemstones and their associated perceived value. What this means for everyday gemstone jewellery is unless you have a particular rare gemstone type in mind for a particular reason, you will likely find greater value in seeking jewellery featuring high grade natural specimens of the Universal 8, instead of potentially paying many times more for poorer quality rare gemstones which are a higher price because of challenging market conditions and in fact end up being inferior for the purposes of being used in jewellery.
Accessibility and price
Related to the factors of rarity and perceived value are the factors of accessibility and price. For nearly all of us (except perhaps those with the deepest pockets), it is not realistic to covet the most rare and valuable precious gemstones when we are searching for beautiful and unique everyday jewellery and gifts. Those gemstones are realistically set aside for when you’re searching for family heirlooms, engagement rings and other lifetime pieces. Accordingly, when searching for aesthetically beautiful and meaningful gemstone jewellery for the “right here, right now” as compared with the purchase of a “lifetime piece”, high grade semi-precious gemstones (such as amethyst, blue topaz, citrine, rose quartz and peridot) and more accessible precious gemstones (such as ruby, emerald and sapphire) will likely provide you with the most suitable options having regard principally to the factors of accessibility and price.
Conclusion
As the process of globalisation continues to increase the ability of businesses to connect with customers and potential customers from around the world, it remains important to recognise and accommodate people from different cultural and racial backgrounds. The formula behind determining the “Universal 8 gemstones” is one way to achieve this when answering the ubiquitously asked question of “What gemstone is suitable for everyone?”
The most suitable gemstones for everyone having regard to the factors of: (a) colour, styling and appearance; (b) gemstone symbolism; (c) rarity and perceived value; and (d) accessibility and price, are:
High grade natural amethyst
High grade natural blue topaz
High grade natural citrine
High grade natural rose quartz
High grade ruby
High grade emerald
High grade sapphire
High grade natural peridot
Earthlight is a leader in the field of gemstone jewellery with meaning and utilises A+ high grade natural gemstones in all its pieces.
Admit it, You Are The Main Character
BY: ROXI NICOLUSSI
While The Haters will say it’s our millennial entitlement that has us thinking we’re “all that”, there are at least 10 reasons we should admit and start owning our Main Character Energy.
If you’re reading this, you probably already know what a millennial is. Here is a definition, anyways: “Millennials, also known as Generation Y, are typically defined as individuals born between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s to early 2000s, depending on the source. The exact date range may vary, but millennials are generally considered to be in our late 20s to late 30s in the 2020s”(LiveScience).
Millennials grew up during the rapid rise of technology and the internet. We are often referred to as the first truly digital-native generation, having been exposed to computers, smartphones, and the internet from a young age but having experienced life before the internet. This has influenced our communication styles, consumption habits, and preferences for digital tools.
The concept of "main character energy" has emerged as a cultural phenomenon in recent years, particularly on social media. It gained popularity as a term used to describe a state of self-confidence, selfassuredness, and self-expression associated with feeling like the protagonist or central figure in one's own life.
Critics will say that means we are self-obsessed, but I disagree. The important thing about being the main character is realizing that others aren’t supporting actors, but are main characters in our own stories. We all have a tendency to search for narrative truth and individual purpose. We don’t need to know everything in order to be on our own heroic journeys. We are on individual quests for noble causes in the face of great odds, and it’s okay to own that.
Here are 10 reasons that millennials should own our main character energy.
Millennials Express Themselves. In the age of social media, we have been granted platforms to express ourselves and share our lives with a wide audience. This has given rise to a culture of selfempowerment and self-expression, where we are able to embrace our uniqueness. We have used that power to bring others up; contemporary empowerment movements, such as body positivity, self-love, and inclusivity, have encouraged people to embrace their individuality and challenge societal expectations. These movements have contributed to the rise of "main character energy" by promoting self-acceptance, confidence, and the idea that everyone deserves to be the protagonist in our own life story.
Millennials Have Shifted Cultural Narratives: The rise of characters in popular media who exude confidence, agency, and unique personalities has influenced the concept of "main character energy." Having grown up following characters like Elle Woods in Legally Blonde going against all odds and being unwavering in her pink and frilly authentic self has resonated with millennials as they grew up. Traditional narratives often focused on conforming to societal norms or following predefined paths. However, as societal attitudes have evolved, there has been a greater emphasis on individuality, personal growth, and self-fulfillment. This shift has encouraged individuals, especially millennials and younger generations, to prioritize our own needs.
Millennials are Protagonists. Millennials, as a generation, ARE the protagonists. Millennials are often associated with a strong sense of social responsibility. They are passionate about causes such as sustainability, environmental conservation, and social activism. They actively support brands and organizations that align with our values and are more likely to engage in philanthropy and volunteer work.
Millennials Acknowledge our Complex Origin Stories. They talk about our complex origin stories. All generations have their own complex character stories. The difference is that millennials have access to information about trauma. They are actively destigmatizing therapy and doing the work to address generational trauma.
Millennials are Action Takers. Main characters take action and make decisions that propel the story. They are proactive rather than passive, actively pursuing our goals and driving the plot forward. Like many main characters, Millennials are most likely to use the internet to create a movement, share GoFundMe links for those in need, and actively put energy into improving conditions for causes they care about.
Millennials are Transforming. Main characters often undergo a transformation in our story. They learn from our experiences, overcome challenges, and evolve as individuals. In our 20s and 30s, Millennials are starting to truly form themselves and make decisions beyond the scope of peer pressure.
Millennials are Relatable. We created communities online, starting with chat rooms and working our way into Facebook groups, Instagram accounts and TikTok hashtags. We seek out community and aren’t afraid to make our own.
Millennials are Resilient. We have lived through not one but several recessions. I don’t even think I know what it’s like to not be in a recession. We entered the workforce during the Great Recession, which impacted our job prospects and income growth. According to Consumer Affairs (2022), the national CPI has increased by over 500% since 1970, while wages have only increased by 80%. Factors such as rising housing costs, stagnant wages, and increasing living expenses have made it challenging for millennials to build wealth and achieve traditional markers of success, such as homeownership. Nevertheless, as protagonists do, we persist in pursuing our goals, overcoming obstacles, and bouncing back from setbacks, and inspiring our audience (even if it’s just Mom) with our determination.
Millennials are Compassionate. Main characters often exhibit empathy and compassion towards others. They care about the well-being of those around us and may engage in acts of kindness or support. We are one of the most diverse generations in terms of ethnicity, culture, and values. We embrace diversity and actively seek inclusive environments that value equality, equity, and social justice. This focus on inclusivity has influenced our consumer choices, employment expectations, and overall worldview.
Millennials are Shaping the Future. As the largest living generation, millennials have the power to shape the future. We are catalysts for change, whether it's through our consumer choices, political engagement, or entrepreneurial endeavours. Our ability to influence and shape society makes us compelling main characters in today's stories.
