Frequently Asked Questions

What’s your favorite type of cookie?

Chocolate chip. That’s an easy one.

What’s the I AMulet Necklace backstory?

I wanted a tool I could mindfully wear for my own positive intention setting practice. I tried wearing stacked crystal bracelets (so sparkly!), but they felt heavy and awkward, always bumping into desks and impairing my ability to type on the keyboard. I couldn’t wear them. Next I found some pendants and bracelets sporting engraved inspirational words. These were much easier to wear, but I felt restrained by the words and phrases, never feeling a solid connection to their messaging. I stopped wearing these, too. Feeling a lot like Goldilocks, I ended up assembling the first I AMulet; a piece of jewelry that was comfortable to wear, easy to modify, and full of meaning and symbolism. I loved it. Friends noticed my new necklace, liked it, and asked for their own. Eventually, those friends told a few friends, and I realized that I wasn’t the only one looking for this kind of tool.

That’s the story.

Why is positive intention setting important?

In my years of medical practice, I saw first-hand how important a person’s self-perception was to their overall health and wellness. Subjectively, patients who viewed themselves positively were healthier than those who only saw themselves from a negative perspective. This positive/negative outlook not only influenced their physical and emotional well-being, but also affected their levels of involvement, agency, and overall health satisfaction. Setting positive intentions for yourself is one way to turn a negative internal dialogue into a healthier, positive direction.

Here’s a great TED talk that discusses how shifting body language/posture affects a person’s hormone levels as well as social outcomes. No, body language isn’t the same as intention setting, but the underlying principle is similar; purposeful adoption of a positive or negative perspective affects a person’s behavior and trajectory.

What’s the meaning behind the Eye/I design?

The Eye is an ancient good luck amulet with the ability to reflect away any negative energy cast upon you back in the direction it came from. The word I serves as a reminder that you are in charge of your life, and it’s your energy that gives the I AMulet power and purpose. Melissa intentionally stamps each circle charm by hand with the Eye and I in the shape of a lower case i letter to honor the Rule of Three; It’s an Eye-I-i AMulet.

Why isn’t the design blackened like most hand-stamped jewelry?

An I AMulet is a tool you wear for yourself and no one else, and an amulet doesn’t have to be visible for it to provide protection and support. Folk who want to know more about it will ask, and they probably will!

Why are the I AMulet gemstone talisman pendants interchangeable?

An intention practice is most effective when it can respond to your day to day experiences. Having a variety of stone/affirmation pendants will allow you to switch up your I AMulet however and whenever you choose. Sometimes I like to wear more than one pendant at a time, but never more than three. Wearing more than three pendants at once brings a risk of the chain breaking.

Are you a crystal expert?

No. I’m a medical doctor, not a crystal expert. I undertook my own self-directed education on gemstone personalities and energy to compose each stone talisman’s unique affirmation and intention statement. The words are mine, but it’s your interpretation of them that makes the I AMulet uniquely yours.

SCREW U Jewelry- why? What were you thinking?

After the release of the all-female cast Ghostbusters movie, my daughter asked for a screw-u necklace like the one worn by the character, Holtzmann. I ran with the challenge and designed a necklace she could wear without getting into bad trouble. You’ll notice that like the I AMulet eye/I charm, I don’t blacken this design; the jewelry makes a strong statement without having to be visually loud. Every screw-u piece oozes confidence and encourages good trouble.

Why is the sky blue?

Sunlight is made up of different wavelengths of light. As it travels into our atmosphere, the light waves bump into stuff (gasses and particles) and scatter in different directions. The color blue is a short light wave and shorter wavelengths tend to bounce around more than longer ones. The higher the frequency of bouncing, the more likely these short light wavelengths will enter our eyes, causing us to perceive the sky as being blue.

Is everything you make nickel free?

Everything is nickel free.

What metals do you use in your jewelry? How do I care for them?

I primarily use sterling silver and gold filled materials. Please check individual item descriptions for specific information.

  • Sterling Silver is a combination of 92.5% fine silver and 7.5% other metals (including copper) for hardness. Rub with a soft cloth to remove tarnish. Sterling (rose) Silver is a combination of 90-92.5% fine silver with a little bit more copper added in to create the pinkish, rosy hue. Like sterling silver, sterling (rose) silver will tarnish. To restore the rosy luster, simply rub with a soft cloth to remove light surface tarnish. Oxidized Silver is already tarnished sterling silver. If you want to keep oxidized jewelry looking black, you don’t have to do anything. Polishing oxidized items will remove the tarnish/black color. Oxidized silver can sometimes leave its dark color on skin or fabrics. While this is something to consider, it’s not a reason (IMHO) to avoid oxidized silver; the striking color is addictive.
  • Gold Filled jewelry has layers of 14k gold (at least 5% by weight) fused to an underlying brass metal core. This material will wear like real gold, at a much more affordable price. Gold filled jewelry will eventually tarnish if the fused layer wears down, but that takes a long time to happen (even longer if you don’t get your gold filled jewelry wet or expose it to harsh chemicals). Gold Plated items have a minuscule whiff of gold (less than 0.05% by weight) brushed onto the underlying brass. The layer is not fused to the core metal, and the gold color often rubs off quickly. I try not to use gold plated materials. Both gold filled and gold plated items can be cleaned with a soft cloth.
  • Titanium or Niobium: Groovy metals that are lightweight, hypoallergenic, and won’t tarnish. Clean with soft cloth.
Are your materials ethically sourced?

I work hard to know where my materials come from and purchase everything as close to the primary source as possible. My stones are mainly sourced from independent lapidaries via custom order. All stainless steel chains and findings are made in the USA, while other metal components come from wholesale companies who (to the best of my knowledge) stand behind their own sources.

How long is an 18" necklace?

Here are a couple of diagrams to give you an idea of chain lengths. Check item descriptions for specifics.

If you have other questions you’d like me to answer, or think should be on this FAQ page, please contact me here.


Pin It on Pinterest