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Galatea makes pearl jewelry personal
Pieces in Galatea’s new Momento collection are embedded with a chip that allows wearers to record messages that later can be played on mobile devices.
The “Momento” pearl collection uses near field communication (NFC) technology, with a chip embedded into the stones that allows users to create a tailored voice message to be played when the pearl is tapped against a compatible mobile device. The patent-pending pearl also can store digital content like images, messages and videos.
NFC is the type of communication that takes place between smartphones/tablets and other devices when they are in close proximity to each other. QR codes, for example, use NFC technology as do e-money systems like Apple Pay or Google Wallet. It runs without a battery and instead uses induction energy, the company said.
Momento pearls currently work with an app that is compatible with any Android product that is NFC-enabled (Galatea soon will have a list of these on its website), a company spokesperson said, adding that the Apple iPhone 6 has NFC capabilities but the company has not yet unlocked the code to create an app for Apple. This is expected to happen in early 2015, after which Galatea will alter the app for Apple compatibility.
The complete collection of Momento jewelry includes 29 pendants, 26 earrings and eight rings, all with Tahitian and freshwater pearls set in 14-karat gold. Prices start at $350.
It will be available at authorized retailers beginning in January.
“This is where the future of jewelry begins. A person can ‘live’ in this pearl forever, as it holds the voice and memories of a loved one,” said inventor and Galatea founder Chi Huynh, who added that the real interest in the jewelry is its ability to summon emotion or a memory.
Huynh said he plans to introduce more NFC-enabled jewelry, including with gemstones and diamonds, in the coming months.
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