After my time in Charlotte at UNCC, life took an unexpectant turn when I decided to enlist in the Navy. After training in Pensacola, I was able to get stationed in Catania, Sicily! While excited, it was also a world away from everything I knew.
And homesickness hit hard, especially in the beginning. I vividly remember one afternoon in the hardware room, where I worked as an IT specialist, taking care of some machines that needed reimaging. Alone in that room, the weight of it all caught up with me. Missing home, feeling out of place, the newness of everything—I suddenly felt overwhelmed and began to cry.
I heard footsteps approaching.
I quickly wiped my tears as Giuseppe, an Italian contractor, entered to say hello. Sensing my low spirits, he suggested taking a break on the Italian side of the base. Over a warm pastry and espresso, Giuseppe listened to me talk about home and reassured me that things would get better. And the raviola—a flaky pastry filled with warm ricotta—was comforting, and his kindness made me forget my sadness, even if just for a moment.
Back in the office, I thanked Giuseppe for his thoughtfulness. And, he was right, things did get better. I made some really good friendships and also, found so much joy and discovered a lot about myself during my time there. Living in Sicily opened the door to endless travel and experiences; I had the chance to explore Europe, Sicily, and Rome, each place full of fun and lasting impact.
Catania, the city's main center, was filled with ancient cobblestone streets. I can still remember the warmth of its people—the richness of its family oriented culture felt like stepping into another world. It really taught me to slow down, to savor small moments—whether sharing an espresso with a colleague or enjoying a long, laughter-filled meal. Though I wouldn't fully embrace that in my twenties lol I certainly appreciate the lessons today.
The Catania earrings, featuring citrine-studded, oval medallion drops, are a heartfelt tribute to my time in Sicily. These earrings bring together a unique mix of materials: warm citrine stones are set in 14k gold-filled bezels, complemented by an open-back sterling silver design with sterling silver posts. And each oval medallion, handcrafted from jeweler's brass in a sunray design, is meticulously made so that no two are exactly alike, adding a truly special touch to your collection.
While the brass will need occasional polishing, I truly favor it over gold plating for its lasting quality—brass is timeless, whereas plating fades over time. It also offers a more approachable price point, especially with gold prices being so high right now.
However, if I do decide to create a version in 14k gold-filled, the medallion’s oval pattern would have a unique design of its own, since scratching the gold filled medal would damage the surface.
To me, the warmth of these golden earrings mirror the warmth of those days and the beauty of the friendships I made around that time. I hope you enjoy both the story and the design! Let me know what you think :).
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