As a fan of trinkets and memorabilia, I was thrilled when I saw someone wearing a pewter pendant of the Second Life logo. According to lore, LL hands these out to their new employees, as well as special visitors to the Lab, such as Views attendees. They're worn out in just the right places, with a string I can only describe as possibly plastic looped through it. They seem to carry a special meaning for their owners.That's why I'm a little put off by First Bling and their replicas of this necklace. I'm sure it will be wildly popular among the SL crowd, but it just doesn't have that old feel to me. They're shiny and new, like many of the residents. I once saw someone trying to hawk their necklace on a website for 80 USD, and wondered how it could possibly sell, because it mostly holds priceless sentimental value.
What can you get for your money there? For $25, you'll get a sterling silver pendant that appears to be the size of the LL version. If you want the larger one, it'll be $35. Not a fan of sterling silver? For $135, or $220, you'll get a large or small gold, or white gold pendant. That's not L, folks.
Read on to find out about their shipping and payment policies ...
If you've gotten this far, you might be interested in purchasing one of these bad boys. You'd better order now, though, because IF the item is in stock, it takes 7-10 days to process. If it's not in stock, well, it could take 15 days ON TOP of the 7-10. After that, you'll have to wait 7 business days to receive it. With SLCC just around the corner, you'd have to order as soon as possible in hopes of getting it in time.
At this time, they're only shipping to customers in the United States. With Americans being the minority in Second Life these days, they are losing out on a lot of potential business from overseas residents. They do offer an email address to inquire about overseas orders, though.
Thinking about paying for your purchase in Lindens? They don't accept them! They do, however, accept all major credit cards. The Style & News page shows an avatar wearing a set of chains, but it looks like the real thing photoshopped on. Are they even IN Second Life? Surely they would accept L if they were, seeing how it's the universal currency among all the residents.
Furthermore, according to the Contact page, which appears to house the FAQ, they suggest you send in a picture of your avatar wearing the pendant. However, I do not see where they offer a location to buy the jewelry in-world. Are they hinting that you should photoshop the necklace on your avatar? What gives?
On the About page, the creator tells of how they met Philip Rosedale at a media business conference. They'd always been a fan of talismans, therefore they were intrigued by the logo. They never once state that they are a resident of Second Life. The author merely notes that they had the idea to bring the logo to the real world, where they could let others know they are part of a "secret society" as they call it. According to them, Philip, Jeska, and Catherine Linden even support the project!
Do any of you have an original pewter pendant? How do you feel about the knockoffs? Leave a comment and let us know!
1. It's not a knockoff if it's licensed, which it appears to be based on what they've said.
I don't have a problem with it -- SL pendants seem like a fun thing to have. The folks who get them direct from LL will know what they have and value them appropriately; the rest of us can have a nice pendant. I'm considering one for my charm bracelet.
Posted at 8:25AM on Jun 28th 2007 by Cyn Vandeverre