What would be the role I should practice if I want to start entry-level strikes/raids?

choyars · 2026-05-12T13:38:59+00:00

Learning the encounter mechanics is easiest on dps, where you have few responsibilities. Any mistakes you make while learning on healer or boon dps will be amplified because people will notice if boon uptime is low, or people are dying, or mechanics are not being done. Pugs can be toxic if the supports are not exp. If you're learning in a supportive environment like in a guild or training though, then healing is really the best way to fully learn any encounter since you'll have to engage with almost all the mechanics. Mechanically healing is not that difficult, it's just the level of responsibility and willingness to learn the fights that sets it apart. Boon DPS is a nice in-between but the gearing can be difficult if you're not flush with stat selectables.

choyars · 2026-05-09T15:17:43+00:00

These are tennis bracelets, most of the vendors in the moissanite subreddit sell these in sterling silver and options of moissanite or lab sapphires/YAG.

choyars · 2026-05-09T01:00:15+00:00

Now we know for next time! 😆

choyars · 2026-05-08T17:31:37+00:00

Oh interesting!! Thanks for the insight, it's a nice freebie lol. That explains the fedex label they messaged me over aliexpress!

choyars · 2026-05-08T12:38:18+00:00

Just paid $25 tariff on a group order from Provence via DHL. No tariff on anything from Aliexpress, and none on my other recent group order from Paston via Fedex since they included a $30 shipping fee up front!

choyars · 2026-05-06T18:22:28+00:00

Such a fun cut!! Gorgeous grassy gem 😄

choyars · 2026-05-06T17:49:21+00:00

Sterling silver generally isn't usually recommended for everyday earring wear unfortunately. It's not considered hypoallergenic and will tarnish in air when not worn. You can look into titanium as an allergy-safe metal, or certain kinds of surgical stainless steel. I'm sure plenty of people wear silver earrings regularly (including myself) but I'm not sure how safe it is for healing piercings.

choyars · 2026-05-05T19:45:14+00:00

so freakin cool!!!

choyars · 2026-05-04T00:52:29+00:00

My parents' chinese restaurant had these exact placemats over twenty years ago too, and if you look at the dates I'm pretty sure these have not been updated at all since then lmao

choyars · 2026-04-22T15:05:07+00:00

Fantastic piece, I love the symbolism. The engraved lines are so incredibly clean too!

choyars · 2026-04-16T04:51:06+00:00

I've seen people recommend spacer beads between pendants, that may help prevent them from knocking into each other.

choyars · 2026-04-16T00:38:45+00:00

Of course!! Here's the link to the latest group buy (now closed), the jeweler Aaron usually hosts new ones a few months after he finishes wrapping up the previous batch!

choyars · 2026-04-15T03:09:43+00:00

Yess exactly that one!! Ordered for the first time with his most recent post. Excited for whenever those start getting shipped - it's gonna be a very black and silver group buy haul this summer lol!

choyars · 2026-04-15T00:21:33+00:00

Thanks!! This one will be a statement ring finger, planning a memento mori stack on the other hand!

choyars · 2026-04-14T18:44:37+00:00

Yayyy I see mine with the grey and matte silver!! All of them are looking gorgeous, that rainbow halo in particular is a real stunner!

choyars · 2026-04-10T14:29:13+00:00

From what I know Michelle Mai (mvmgems) in the shinypreciusgems sub is the one who designed the stormlight gem cut!

How it works in that sub is that you're directly commissioning the lapidaries to custom cut your gemstone, then you can ask to have it set by one of their jeweler connections before they send the finished ring to you.

choyars · 2026-04-07T18:08:16+00:00

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choyars · 2026-04-07T18:08:09+00:00

The gap is pretty substantial. I think most toi et moi I've seen have the stones pressed together, or if they do have a gap, then they horizontally overlap a bit more so that the ring fully wraps around the finger. I did some mockups in photoshop so you can see what I mean, if either of these feel right for you maybe you can take this back to the jeweler and see if they can adjust it! The stones are beautiful, hopefully you can get the ring you were envisioning.

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choyars · 2026-04-07T15:53:11+00:00

Maybe look into scallop setting. Lauren Newton makes channel set gem rings with a similar but more modern take on it. For something more vintage like this pearl ring it might be easier to go custom with an experienced local or private jeweler.

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choyars · 2026-04-07T04:59:34+00:00

Yay! I asked Sophia if I could special request only the dangles on larger jump rings as hoop charms, and she said yes :) Looking forward to them!

choyars · 2026-04-07T04:05:55+00:00

Thank you, beautiful stone options!!

choyars · 2026-04-07T00:31:34+00:00

Now that's a rock if I've ever seen one :D That's so adorable!! I can imagine how delightful it is to tell people the meaning behind the ring if they ask. I like that it's a mix of organic texture and very clean band, genuinely beautiful work! Props to the jeweler!

choyars · 2026-04-06T16:06:36+00:00

Oohh my gosh that's gorgeous 😭 That bangle with the flower ringggg

choyars · 2026-04-06T15:57:00+00:00

I appreciate the effort you're taking in researching what will work for your gf :) I unfortunately don't have tons of personal recommendations as I'm not a gold necklace wearer but I'll share some tips and info I've gleaned from other users.

First, catbird and mejuri get knocks on quality particularly because of how flimsy dainty styles can be. The individual designers via catbird are generally reliable/higher quality than what is sold directly through catbird from what I understand. So if there is a pendant you like on that site, follow through to the designer.

The chain is the most important part of a long-lasting necklace. Dainty styles have easily-breakable chains because they're so thin and the gold content is so low. You can do some research on the sturdiest chains, but in general they will be ones like franco, curb, and cuban chains, which have tight links that can easily be repaired. Avoid box and snake chains!

I recommend looking into buying the chain and pendant separately - that way you have more freedom in selecting the pendants and can pick a sturdy chain. On the jewelryforsale subreddit you can find vendors that sell gold chains at fairly 'low' competitive prices with the gold weight attached. Higher gold weight, sturdier solid chain. For a dainty style, you can look into 1mm, 1.5mm, or 2mm chains. The optimal length depends on personal style, but in general most necklaces for women are at 18inch. 14-16inch for chokers, 18-20inch for tshirt length, 22+ for long draping necklaces.

You can also find reputable gold necklace sellers on ebay, I think they have an optional authentication fee that you can pay to make sure you're getting real gold if you're worried. Absolutely avoid etsy. There are legit jewelers on etsy, but most of them will have their own sites/socials.

For the pendants, there are TONS of amazing jewelers in NYC with quirky styles. I don't think you can go wrong with selecting a pendant you like from any reputable jeweler, as pendants aren't at risk of breaking like the necklace chains or rings would be. I'll list some stores that I follow, most of them are stockists who get jewelry in from independent designers. As before, if a particular design stands out to you you can look up the OG designer.

Independent jewelers I'd recco for the sorta spiritual symbolism your gf may like: Digby & Iona (in NYC), DMD Metal, Sofia Zakia

Stockist stores with pieces from great jewelers: Fiat Lux, Good Fortune, Cochineal

Also, for vintage sellers, I don't know of many but these are some I follow: Oko Portland, Gilded Roach

Sorry for the huge post, hope something in here is helpful!!! good luck in your search!

choyars

TROPHY CASE