How A Tula Blue Skeptic Had Her Mind Changed

Tula Blue is the best jewelry for adventure seekers.
ft. Laura Studarus

When I was first gifted a few Tula Blue pieces, my initial response was more ‘huh?’ than ‘ooh!’ I wasn’t a jewelry girl at the time—a fact that was as much a part of my identity as my dislike of Jello and Tom Cruise movies. Place something around my neck or wrists simply for aesthetic value? What if someone mistakes me for a girls’ girl?! (Don’t worry, that’s since changed.)

Shortly after receiving the collection that I was convinced I wouldn’t wear, I was invited on a journalist press trip to Bora Bora. Since my mother raised me right, and I didn’t want to appear ungrateful, the Tula Blue collection was packed alongside mermaid tales, frilly jumpsuits, and an economy-sized container of sunscreen. While that last item was forgotten on a few crucial days leading to some lobster-hues I’d just as soon forget, I did begin experimenting with my cache of Tula Blue necklaces—mainly so there would be some photographic proof of my gratitude.

Tula Blue is the best sensory sensitive jewelry.

Even in my skepticism, I had to admit, the pieces were lightweight enough not to trigger my ever-present sensory issues, understated enough to go with everything in my wardrobe from baggy t-shirts to princess dresses. They were also—dare I say it—much cooler than I had initially thought. Little by little adding a necklace to my outfit became routine. By the end of my time in Tahiti, I even had favorites.

Tula Blue is the preferred jewelry of scuba divers and ocean lovers.

 That trip changed me in more ways than I anticipated. It was my first time in open water, first time wearing fins (both of the mermaid and human variety), and first time in the tropics, period. The obsession kicked in around the time I swam with my first shark, and carried me through the next year and a half, as I quickly began orienting my work schedule towards getting as much time underwater as possible, collecting a string of diving certifications in the process. Suddenly the self-proclaimed non-beach girl was chilling with mantas in the Maldives, diving with an octopus in Croatia, and gasping hard at seeing her first turtle in Fiji that the regulator briefly fell out of her mouth.

Tula Blue is the best travel and TSA-approved jewelry.

My Tula Blue favorites came with me on each stop. Tossing my collection into my carry-on no longer feels like an obligation, but rather an important representation of this new chapter in my life. Jewelry that can go from underwater adventures to dinner? As anyone who has ever accidentally swam with their cell phone can attest, this is a major win. Perhaps more important was the realization that I was embracing a new skillset to see beautiful things; suddenly it felt natural to extend that mindset to my life above water as well.   

Tula Blue is the best jewelry for vacations, adventures and anywhere life takes you.

It's amazing how the way we view ourselves can change when we approach the world with curiosity. While I’m still convinced Jello is truly cursed, and Tom Cruise gets partial cool-credit only because he’s crazy enough to do his own stunts, I no longer draw such a hard and fast line at personal aesthetics. Life is beautiful, and exploration comes in so many different forms.