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Springtime Flowers: A Review of the Flora Collection from GLDN

| by Alyssa
Last updated on March 19, 2024
Alyssa holds a small bouquet of flowers while wearing jewelry from GLDN and is halfway out of frame

GLDN's Marseille necklace and olive signet ring are mixed in with a bouquet of flowers

GLDN's Marseille necklace and olive signet ring are mixed in with a three flowers

It’s finally here – happy spring, friends!

I’m holding a little personal celebration for the season over here, and for so many reasons: it’s my favorite time of the year to travel (great weather! Cheaper fares!), it’s my birthday season, and the changing landscape around me is a constant reminder that each day is a new opportunity for growth.

It’s also the time of year when I choose to indulge in some of life’s simple pleasures – like eating strawberries still warm from the sun and choosing a few simple blooms to make my home feel more beautiful.

Disclosure: I was gifted these products in exchange for a social post, but this post is not sponsored. This post contains affiliate links and may generate a small commission which is used to offset website costs (but doesn't cost you anything extra!).

The start of this glorious season also seems like the perfect time to share two of my new favorite pieces from GLDN, a sustainable jewelry brand I’ve long admired and have shared many times here on the blog.

I’ve long associated GLDN with flowers (you can see my beloved Poppy necklace in this post!), but I didn’t realize just how many they offer – or what each one signifies – until I took a scroll through their Flora Collection.

ABOUT THE FLORA COLLECTION

Chart of Marseille Necklace options from GLDN
Source: GLDN

GLDN’s Flora Collection is a charming garden of flora and foliage engraving options for the brand’s high-quality minimalist bracelets, necklaces, rings, and more. In Sterling Silver, 14k Gold Fill, and 14k Solid Gold, there’s an option at just about every price point – and with proper care, these flowers won’t wilt. Each has a special traditional meaning, but I chose two pieces from the collection that spoke to me on a more personal level.

ABOUT THE FLORA MARSEILLE NECKLACE AND OLIVE BRANCH SIGNET

Alyssa holds a bouquet of flowers while wearing GLDN jewelry and looks away from the camera

After first considering my current jewelry collection (I always recommend doing this before bringing any new purchase home), I knew I could use a necklace with more presence. I’ve also long been intrigued by signet rings, and GLDN’s dainty slim signet ring seemed like the perfect way to try out this classic style. And for both styles, I chose the brand’s beautiful, durable, and economical 14k Gold Fill. But what to engrave?

Choosing flowers from the market is an easy decision, as I know next week I’ll have the opportunity to try something new if I’d like. Choosing florals to be engraved on a piece I’ll treasure for years to come was a bit more of a challenge.

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The Flora Marseille Necklace

GLDN's Marseille necklace is in focus, mixed in with a bouquet of floweres

Helpfully, each listing includes a bit about the traditional symbolic meaning behind each botanical, as well as a note about how it grows. For the Flora Marseille Necklace, I chose Cosmos, a somewhat unconventional pick (unless I suppose, you’re an October baby). With my unwieldy and decidedly un-verdant thumbs, this is the only flower I’ve ever been able to successfully grow from seed. But the botanical notes spoke to me even more: “Cosmos can survive in a variety of soils and conditions.” While this may not do much for my gardener’s pride, the sentiment of thriving in conditions that are less than ideal is a powerful one.

After wearing it for some time, I have really fallen in love with the size and shape of the Marseille. It’s bold enough to stand alone but also plays really well with other chain necklaces, too. Because the pendant is so striking, I typically layer it at the bottom of my necklace stack. Care is pretty straightforward – I’m careful to avoid spraying fragrances while wearing it (it helps that my current scent is a rollerball), and I remove it before showering or sleeping. I expect it to hold up as well as all of my other gold fill pieces from the brand.

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The Olive Branch Signet

GLDN's Signet Ring is in focus, mixed in with a bouquet of flowers

As for the Olive Branch Signet, well, the olive branch was the only botanical engraving option at the time (now they’ve added a sweet version with a budding flower). But this, the symbol of peace – probably the most well-known of the flora symbols – would have been my first choice for its meaning anyway. When I’m feeling stressed or anxious, I use it as a ribbon-around-the-finger reminder to close my eyes and take a deep, peaceful breath.

Balking at tradition, I prefer to wear this signet on my middle finger instead of my pinky. If I am wearing a lot of other jewelry, I typically keep my fingers fairly bare and just wear my engagement ring on my left hand and a simple band on my right. This signet’s slim profile serves that purpose quite well – but also mixes in nicely with my treasure trove of stacking rings.

A DISCOUNT FOR WAYWARD READERS

Alyssa holds a bouquet playfully in front of her face while wearing two pieces of jewelry from GLDN

Just for you: a freshly picked discount!

Readers of wayward can take $10 off their next GLDN order by shopping through my referral link. Stopping to smell the roses (or to read ye-olde-blogs) really pays off, huh?

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What flower will you choose, and what does this flower signify to you?

2 Comments on “Springtime Flowers: A Review of the Flora Collection from GLDN”

    1. Isn’t it?! I love how the engraving is subtle, but definitely there. I find it easily gets a second glance!

      Reply

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