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20 'worthy' jewelry gift ideas from artisans around the world

Assorted jewelry: watches, necklaces, bracelet, earrings, and ring, featuring playful designs.

As we approach this holiday season, you may be on the look-out for some great gifts for the loved ones in your life. To help you with your search, we've handpicked a list of "worthy" jewelry gift ideas. What makes them worthy? First, they are from our very own Upworthy Market, a place to shop for great hand-crafted artisan gifts. At the Upworthy Market, every purchase you make directly supports artisans from around the world. It's a great place to buy interesting items and support the people who created them in the process—a win-win!

These gift ideas are also worthy because each one is a unique, beautiful piece of jewelry—like the Balinese cocktail pearl ring, or the stylish anklet or the millefiori blossom watch made of Murano glass from Venice. Whether you're looking for the perfect pair of earrings for your mom or cannot seem to figure out a quality gift for a friend, this list will help you find the right present for the jewelry lover in your life.

1. Oval Jade Ring

Evoking the ancient Maya, this beautiful and simple solitaire ring is crowned by an oval of apple green Guatemalan jade. This stunning accessory is designed by Zandra Lorena Sajbin, who crafts the ring with a band of sterling silver.

Silver ring with a pale green stone set in twisted detailing, engraved with "925". BigCommerce

2. Paradise Palms Necklace

A dreamy tropical paradise with untouched white sand beaches and crystalline lagoons is perfectly symbolized by the twin palms of this pendant necklace from Aoy of Thailand. Artisan crafted from sterling silver, the pendant shines with a high polish finish while the hints of dark oxidation enhance the palms' details. A ball chain with a spring-ring clasp completes the necklace.

Silver palm tree pendant necklace with beaded chain on a gray background. BigCommerce

3. Elephant Hook Earrings

Petite elephants are carefully carved of smooth white cow bone by artisan Made Wardika of Bali. The pachyderms swing from sterling silver hooks.

White elephant earrings hanging from a branch. BigCommerce

4. Wave Motif Band Ring

Featuring curving wave patterns, this nautical band ring is designed by Balinese artisan Asmara Putra. He crafts the ring of sterling silver bathed in 18 karat gold, given a high-polish finish.

Gold ring with wave design rests on a wooden surface. BigCommerce

5. Twin Dolphin Necklaces

Sleek and agile, twin dolphins leap and play on this pendant necklace presented by Andi Rachmansyah in Bali. The pendant is hand-carved from smooth cow bone and centered on a black cotton cord of adjustable length.

    White dolphin pendant on black cord, hanging against a blurred green background. BigCommerce

    6.Pearl Cocktail Ring

    Crowned by an orb of cultured pearl with soft, dyed-pink hues, this Balinese cocktail ring brings a sweet beauty wherever it goes. Designed by Buana, the band is handcrafted of sterling silver with jepun, or frangipani flowers that flank the pearl.

    Silver ring with a large pink pearl centerpiece on a wooden surface. BigCommerce

    7. Flower Stud Earrings

    Hand-carved from bone, two jepun, otherwise known as frangipani flowers, adorn the ears. Balinese artisan Made Wardika creates these stud earrings, adorning the wearer on posts of sterling silver.

    White flower-shaped earrings on a wooden surface. BigCommerce

    8. White Turtle Necklace

    A young turtle swims peacefully in cool waters in this unique hand-carved white pendant. Made Wardika of Bali presents this pendant carefully crafted from bone and hung on a dark brown leather cord. This pendant necklace features a sliding knot for adjustable length.

    White turtle pendant on a black cord, blurred green background. BigCommerce

    9. Kanji Sterling Silver Necklace

    Hanzi are characters used in Chinese writing. As early as the sixth century A.D., many of these characters began to be simplified and adopted into Japanese writing, where they're known as kanji, a term that is more widely used in the West. Artisans in Yiwu, China, create these pendants by using sterling silver and the lost-wax casting method. Each character emulates the sweeping brushstrokes of traditional calligraphy. Choose based on birth month, favorite color, or simply the symbol that resonates with you most.


    Four silver pendants with gemstones and chain featuring Kanji characters. BigCommerce

    10. Lotus Band Ring

    Realized in darkly oxidized relief, the image of a single lotus flower is featured on this band ring from Bali. Asmara Putra designed the ring, crafted of sterling silver.

    Silver ring with a black lotus flower design on a wooden surface. BigCommerce

    11.Music Note Stud Earrings

    The sol key, also known as the G-clef, is masterfully designed into button earrings by Thai artisan Wadarat Supasirisuk. Perfect for the music aficionado, these clever post earrings are crafted in sterling silver with polished and oxidized finishes for contrast.

    Silver treble clef earrings on a green leaf background. BigCommerce

    12. Toe Ring

    Depicted in low relief, three sterling elephants march around a silver band. Wadarat Supasirisuk presents this toe ring that shows the purposeful pachyderms in silhouette.

    Silver ring with elephant design on a wooden surface. BigCommerce

    13. Infinity Stud Earrings

    Highly polished sterling silver takes the shape of the infinity symbol in these stud earrings from Wadarat Supasirisuk of Thailand. The petite earrings rest on sterling posts.

    Silver infinity symbol earrings on a wooden surface. BigCommerce

    14. Lizard Totem Necklace

    Realistically carved by hand, a small lizard graces this unique artisan-crafted necklace. Made Wardika displays the Balinese reptile on a cord of dark brown leather.

    White lizard pendant on a black cord against a blurred background. BigCommerce

    15. Fish Stud Earrings

    Commemorating the Age of Aquarius as well as the return of Christ, these symbolic stud earrings are presented by Wadarat Supasirisuk. Thai artisans craft the earrings from sterling silver, featuring the simple and iconic image of a fish.

      Silver fish symbol earrings on a wooden surface. BigCommerce

      16. Dragon Pendant Necklace

      Framed by the image of a dragon biting its tail, the iconic symbol for the meditative mantra om is realized in high-polish sterling silver. Shivani Choudhary designed this bold and meditative Indian pendant necklace, which is crafted by local artisans.

      Silver necklace with an Om pendant encircled by a dragon design. BigCommerce

      17. Celestial Necklace

      Designed by Vivek Nathany in India, this necklace adds a celestial beauty to any wardrobe. This fantastic necklace circles the neck with two lengths of 22 karat gold-plated sterling silver cable chain; one chain is decorated with star charms while the other is centered by a majestic crescent moon pendant.

      Gold layered necklace with star charms and crescent moon pendant on a beige background. BigCommerce

      18. Elephant Charm Anklet

      Tiraphan Hasub crafts a stylish anklet, centering bright brass beads with colorful agate. Symbol of old Siam, an elephant graces this original design. Jingling bells form the clasp, and the anklet is adjustable in length.

      Beaded bracelet with gold elephant charm and bells on a rustic wooden surface. BigCommerce

      19. Black Braid Bracelet

      Braided by hand, strands of black leather encircle the wrist in a bracelet for men. Chaloemphon adds ivory and dark brown beads carved of bone to this design. The length can be adjusted by sliding the knot along the cord.

      Black braided leather bracelet on wooden surface. BigCommerce

      20. Blossom Watch

      More than a dozen delicate slivers of Murano millefiori decorate the face of this gold-plated watch. Made in Murano, an island within Venice, Italy, that has been home to master glassmakers since the 13th century, millefiori are created by fusing multicolored glass canes, stretching them to the thinnest possible diameter, and then slicing them to reveal cross-sections that look like flower blossoms. The watch features a snakeskin-textured leather band.

      Two floral-accented watches with black and red straps on a wooden surface, next to greenery. BigCommerce

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      Joy

      5 small things that made us smile this week

      Your weekly cheat sheet to the best of the Internet

      True


      Life can be bleak, so we’re going to be celebrating the small joys while we can—whether that’s asweet snack that boosts your mood (courtesy of our friends atAll In), or a spontaneous moment between strangers that's so joyful it restores your faith in the algorithm (even if only for a second). These momentary mood boosters are everywhere you look—you just have to be able to find them underneath all the noise. And that’s where we come in.

      Consider this weekly web series your cheat sheet to the best of the Internet—not just random memes to make you laugh, but examples of people truly finding something extraordinary in the mundane. Each Friday we'll be delivering five pieces of media that allow you to stop for a second, take a breath, and feel just a little bit brighter among the daily stress. (Think of us as your chronically online bestie who knows exactly how to make you smile, exactly when you need it the most.)

      Ready to smile? Here we go.

      1. The best travel buddy surprise 

      @tarareynolds03

      Surprising Grandson with going on vacation with him.

      ♬ original sound - Tara Leanne Reynolds
      This sweet grandson thought he was just heading out on vacation—until he spotted a very familiar face at the airport. The moment he sees Grandma standing there, his jaw literally drops. He sets his backpack down and then runs straight into her arms for the biggest hug. "Oh my God! You're coming with us to Jamaica, right?!" he asks her, already smiling from ear to ear. It's the kind of unscripted joy that makes you want to call your own grandma to say hi—and other TikTokers are having all the feels in the comments section: "This brought me to tears," says user KE. "I would kill to go on another vacation with my grandma again. She passed in February. Take so many pictures!"

      2. Saying 'thank you' to a very special teacher 

      Last week, we shared a question on Upworthy’s Instagram that sparked an outpouring of heartfelt responses:
      “If you could say thank you to one person right now, who would it be, and why?”

      For Kate Delisle, a teacher in North Andover, Massachusetts, the answer came instantly: her longtime colleague and teaching assistant, Jeanne Donovan.

      “Jeanne has been by my side for seventeen years,” Kate shared. “Next year, we’ll have to split our program — and we won’t be working together anymore.” In her message, Kate described Jeanne as more than just a coworker. She’s supportive, empathetic, and “my right arm — someone who lights up every room she enters. I’m privileged to know her and consider her family.”

      To celebrate that incredible bond, our friends at All In recently paid a surprise visit to Kate and Jeanne at their school — letting Jeanne know just how deeply appreciated she is by her colleagues and students alike. And get this: Jeanne is *so* beloved that Kate's parents, kids, sister, and husband all came to the surprise to honor her alongside everyone else. A true tear-jerker and a must-watch.

      3. The proudest big brother

      @caylaleighbrown This is the original video, He also said it looks like Mike Wazowski after we got done crying LOL #fyp #infertility #infertilityjourney #twins #twinpregnancy #ultrasound #pregnancyafterinfertility #pregnancyannouncement #twinannouncement #twinsies #twinmom ♬ original sound - Cayla Brown ✨ WDW

      Grab your tissues for this one. After eight long years of hoping for another baby, TikTok user Cayla Lee Brown surprises her stepson Caleb with a sonogram photo—and his reaction is nothing short of beautiful. When Caleb realizes not only that he's going to be a big brother but that twin siblings are on the way, his eyes well up and he whispers "We're having twins?!" Cue the heart explosion. In a follow-up video, Cayla shares something that makes this news extra special: Caleb isn't actually her biological child, and although she considers Caleb her son she wasn't sure she'd be able to have biological children at all. "[Caleb] was my gift and I was blessed with two more," she explains. This video is the best reminder that love makes a family, and sometimes the best surprises take a little time.

      4. Overly excited dogs 

      @puppylovestoplay6 Part23: When they hear a word they like#dog#funny#funnyanimals#funnypets#animals #dogsofttiktok #pet #foryou #longervideos#foryou#fyp #funnyvideo ♬ original sound - Puppylovestoplay

      This feel-good compilation is basically a highlight reel of dogs at their happiest: realizing they’re about to go on a walk. From excited tail wags to full-body zoomies, every pup in this video gives a masterclass in unfiltered enthusiasm. One especially clever owner even uses sign language to say “walk,” just to see if their dog picks up on it—and spoiler: the reaction is still pure chaos (the joyful kind). These dogs just know, and they are ready (read: unhinged.) Truly a reminder that the simplest things—in this case, some fresh air and a little adventure—are what spark the most joy.

      5.Bunny ASMR

      @megancottone The way she munched down the carrot ribbon #bunnies ♬ Married Life (From "Up") - Gina Luciani

      If you've had a stressful day, allow this floofy little friend to press the reset button on your brain. TikTok creator @megancottone gives us a full 60 seconds of bunny bliss: one ridiculously adorable rabbit, some deliciously crunchy snacks, and the kind of soft background music that makes your heart rate drop in the best way. The gentle munching noises? Therapeutic. The fuzzy face and floppy ears? Instant joy. It’s like nature’s version of white noise—but cuter. Honestly, someone get this bunny a wellness podcast deal.

      For even more “extra”-ordinary moments, come find us on social media (@upworthy) or on upworthy.com!

      For scrumptious snacks that add an extra boost of joy to your day, be sure to check out All In.

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      Joy

      7 idioms from other cultures that sound hilarious when translated into English

      It can rain a lot more than just cats and dogs.

      Photo credit: Canva

      "Horse horse, tiger tiger." What does that mean?

      You probably know what it means to hit the hay, tie the knot or buy a lemon. Maybe you’ve already killed two birds with one stone today, so effortlessly that it was a piece of cake. But to a non-English speaker, using these phrases would probably make you sound crazy … or should I say gone crackers?

      That’s the fun thing about idioms. They change depending on the time, place and culture creating them. In other words, they usually sound ridiculous to anyone except those who normally use them. Looking at turns of phrase in different languages helps us see the world through different eyes. And man does it seem impressive at a party.

      Just think, instead of saying “it’s raining cats and dogs,” next time you could incorporate a more Lithuanian take, and say “it’s raining axes.” How metal is that?

      It can also be raining old women, barrels, buckets, pipe stems, frogs, female trolls, fire and brimstone … depending on where you’re from.

      Some of these idioms from around the world make a lot of sense. Others get so lost in translation, you can’t help but get tickled pink.

      Swedish idiom, fish being cooked"Now your fishes will be warmed."Photo credit: Canva

      Swedish

      ”Nu ska du få dina fiskar värmda.”

      Literal translation: Now your fishes will be warmed.

      It's another way of saying someone’s in trouble, or their “goose is cooked.”

      The Swedish language is definitely not lacking in the threats department. They also have a saying, “nu har du satt din sista potatis,” which translates to “now you have planted your last potato.”

      Imagine hearing Batman say “You’ve planted your last potato, Joker.” Doesn't have quite the intended effect.

      ham, italian idiom"To have one’s eyes lined with ham."Photo credit: Canva

      Italian

      “Avere gli occhi foderati di prosciutto.”

      Literal translation: To have one’s eyes lined with ham.

      Leave it to the Italians to have food-related phrases. You can use this when someone can’t see what’s right in front of them. It can also be used when someone is blinded by love. Sadly, there is no “ham-colored glasses” idiom.

      Icelandic idiom, laying your head in the water, man in the water"To lay your head in water."Photo credit: Canva

      Icelandic

      “Að leggja höfuðið í bleyti.”

      Literal translation: To lay your head in water.

      You say this when you “need to sleep on something,” or “put your thinking cap on.” This one is hilarious because I cannot fathom getting any mental clarity from holding my head in the water.

      two donkeys, arabic idiom, repetition "Repetition teaches the donkey."Photo credit: Canva

      Arabic

      "At-Tikraar yu’allem al-Himaar.”

      Literal translation: Repetition teaches the donkey.

      Practice makes perfect, but it especially does for donkeys. Animal-themed wisdom at its finest.

      German idiom, train station"I only understand train station."Photo credit: Canva

      German

      "Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof."

      Literal translation: I only understand train station.

      It's another way of saying “it’s all Greek to me.”

      The history of this one is a bit mysterious. One theory is that it originated from WWI soldiers who had only one thing on their mind after getting discharged: returning home. Meaning, they could only comprehend the train station that would lead them there. Others say it refers to tourists new to Germany who have really only learned the German word for “train station.” Which would indicate that everything else is foreign to them.

      And let’s not forget “nicht mein bier, nicht meine sorgen,” translating to “not my beer, not my worries.”

      (Fun fact: The term “not my circus, not my monkeys” actually stems from a Polish proverb, not an English saying at all.)

      norwegian idiom, liver, model of a human liver"To speak directly from the liver."Photo credit: Canva

      Norwegian

      “Å snakke rett fra leveren.”

      Literal translation: To speak directly from the liver.

      When you say something without sugar-coating it, you are speaking directly from the liver. This dates back to a time when the liver was thought to be the magical organ that produced courage. So speaking from the liver is just like speaking from the heart, only down and to the right a little.

      two horses, two tigers, chinese idiom"Horse horse, tiger tiger."Photo credit: Canva

      Chinese

      “Mama huhu.”

      Literal translation: Horse horse, tiger tiger.

      You can use it to say something is just okay. Not good, not bad, just … meh.

      As the story goes, a Chinese painter who, not very good at his craft, created a drawing of an animal that looked sort of like a tiger, and sort of like, you guessed it, a horse. That story actually has a tragic ending that serves as a cautionary tale against carelessness. But nowadays it takes on a lighter connotation.

      And like “comme ci, comme ca” in French, “horse horse, tiger tiger” isn’t quite as commonly spoken as non-native speakers would assume.

      Language continues to be an ever-evolving and always entertaining way to not only appreciate other cultures, but also note the similarities. Words might change slightly, but ultimately we're all expressing the same things.

      This article originally appeared three years ago.

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      Sustainability

      Beavers were brought to the desert to save a dying river. 6 years later, here are the results.

      Their engineering feats are pretty dam incredible.

      Canva Photos

      Can outsider beavers save this dried up river?

      It's not easy being a river in the desert under the best of circumstances. The ecosystem exists in a very delicate balance, allowing water sources to thrive in the harsh conditions. These water sources in otherwise extremely dry areas are vital to the survival of unique wildlife, agriculture, and even tourism as they provide fresh drinking water for the people who live nearby.

      But man-made problems like climate change, over-farming, and pollution have made a tough job even tougher in some areas. Rivers in Utah and Colorado that are part of the Colorado River Basin have been barely surviving the extremely harsh drought season. When the riverbeds get too dry, fish and other aquatic creatures die off and the wildfire risk increases dramatically.

      About six years ago, one team of researchers had a fascinating idea to restore the health of some of Utah's most vulnerable rivers: Bring in the beavers.

      beavers, beaver dam, animals, wildlife, ecosystem, nature, earth, sustainability, deserts, waterways, rivers, pollution, climate changeBeaver in water. Photo by Svetozar Cenisev on Unsplash

      In 2019, master's student Emma Doden and a team of researchers from Utah State University began a "translocation" project to bring displaced beavers to areas like Utah's Price River, in the hopes of bringing it back to life.

      Why beavers? It just makes dam sense! (Sorry.)

      Beaver dams restrict the flow of water in some areas of a river, creating ponds and wetlands. In drought-stricken areas, fish and other wildlife can take refuge in the ponds while the rest of the river runs dry, thus riding out the danger until it rains again.

      When beavers are present in a watershed, the benefits are unbelievable: Better water quality, healthier fish populations, better nutrient availability, and fewer or less severe wildfires.

      It's why beavers have earned the title of "keystone species," or any animal that has a disproportionate impact on the ecosystem around them.

      Doden and her team took beavers who were captured or removed from their original homes due to being a "nuisance," interfering with infrastructure, or being in danger, and—after a short period of quarantine—were brought to the Price River.

      Despite the research team's best efforts, not all the translocated beavers have survived or stayed put over the years. Some have trouble adapting to their new home and die off or are killed by predators, while others leave of their own accord.

      But enough have stayed and built dams since 2019 that the team is starting to see the results of the effort. In fact, beaver projects just like this one have been going on all over the state in recent years.

      - YouTubewww.youtube.com

      The water levels in the river are now the healthiest they've been in years. The fish are thriving. Residents of Utah are overjoyed at the results of the experiment.

      A column in The Salt Lake Tribune from 2025 (six years after the beaver translocation began) writes that the revitalization of the Price River "helped save our Utah town."

      "A tributary of the Colorado River, the Price River runs through downtown Helper. On a warm day, you’re likely to find the river filled with tourists and locals kayaking, tubing and fishing along its shore. A decade ago, it was hard to imagine this scene—and the thriving recreation economy that comes with it—was possible."

      Of course, it wasn't JUST the beavers. Other federal water cleanup investments helped remove debris, break down old and malfunctioning dams, and place tighter regulations on agriculture grazing in the area that depleted vital plant life.

      But the experts know that the beavers, and their incredible engineering work, are the real MVPs.

      beavers, beaver dam, animals, wildlife, ecosystem, nature, earth, sustainability, deserts, waterways, rivers, pollution, climate changeAn actual beaver dam on the now-thriving Price RiverPublic Domain

      In other drying, struggling rivers in the area, researchers are bringing in beavers and even creating manmade beaver dams. They're hoping that the critters will take over the job as the rivers get healthier.

      Utah's San Rafael river, which is in bleak condition, is a prime candidate. In on area of the river, a natural flood inspired a host of beavers to return to the area and "riparian habitat along that stretch had increased by 230%, and it had the most diverse flow patterns of anywhere on the river," according to KUER.

      It's hard to believe that beavers nearly went extinct during the heyday of the fur trapping industry, and continued to struggle as they were considered nuisances and pests. Now, they're getting the respect they deserve as engineer marvels, and their populations have rebounded due to better PR and conservation programs.

      To that I say...it's about dam time!

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      Popular

      Man's side-splitting monologue on why 'women don't want to date anymore' is eerily accurate

      The women in the comments are convinced one of them snitched.

      Canva Photos

      A viral TikTok argues that women don't want to give up the joy of their own personal peace and freedom for anyone.

      There's been a lot of discourse on the state of modern dating and a lot of theories on why it seems harder than ever for people to find connection with romantic partners. Could it be that the achievement and education gaps between men and women are altering the dynamics? Have social media and dating apps broken our brains and hearts? Do we all have unrealistic expectations and unlimited options, leading to never feeling satisfied with anything or anyone?

      Those are all intriguing options, but an alternate theory has recently arisen that's quickly gaining steam: Maybe being single isn't as lonely as we think. Maybe being single is actually freaking awesome.

      A guy on TikTok who goes by Get To the Point Bro shared a hilarious monologue on why women who have been single for a long time "don't want to date anymore." Women say he absolutely nailed it.

      the office, andy bernard, dating, relationships, dating advice, single, romance, loveThe Frenchman's monologue was absolutely spot onGiphy

      At first, it might seem like he's poking fun, either at single women or at the men who can't seem to win them over. But not so! What he's done is perfectly captured the joy many people find in being single and, frankly, able to do whatever the hell they want.

      "Some women have been single for so long they don't date anymore, they grant you access to their peaceful little empire like a reluctant queen handing you a visitor's badge," he says. "You text her good morning and she's already annoyed, like 'Why are you disturbing the sacred silence of my personal growth journey?'"

      He goes on, "Bro she's been sleeping diagonally in her bed for three years, she's not giving up that territory because you opened the door and paid for coffee."

      "You plan a cute date, she's thinking 'That sounds nice but also I could stay home, deep clean my apartment, do a 12 steps skincare routine, order sushi and not have to listen to a man breathe.'"

      "You try to check in emotionally, 'How are you feeling?' She's feeling fantastic because you're not here."

      "You're not competing with other guys. There are no other guys. You're competing with her weighted blanket, her peace, her cat named Chairman Meow, and the simple joy of not having to share her fries."

      These are just a few of the best lines from the nearly 2-minute rant, all delivered in the most amazing French accent you can imagine. Please, enjoy:


      @gettothepointbro

      DATING A GIRL WHO IS USED TO BE ALONE CAN BE VERY HARD .

      The best thing about the video is the discussion in the comments. Women want to know how this man got access to this top-secret information. The rant is so eerily, frighteningly accurate that women are convinced this French guy is living in their heads. That, or someone's secretly leaking intel.

      "dammit. somebody call a meeting of the council. he knows too much."

      "I dont often offer this compliment to the male species but you explained it better than I ever could."

      "Alright, who’s told him this info??? So exposed right now"

      "The joy of sleeping diagonally across my bed cannot be fully explained."

      "This is the most accurate profiling I’ve ever heard. You absolutely ailed it."

      Clearly, we've tapped into a real phenomenon here.

      @gettothepointbro

      CAN YOU RELATE LADIES ? THAT’S WHY WE LOVE YOU ❤️

      The truth is that many people—both men and women—are disillusioned with the sad state of the dating scene these days. App burnout is a real thing, and meeting new people in real life is a ton of work. So, it's no surprise that more and more people are just choosing to stay single and enjoy all the perks that come along with it. This is a stark change, especially for women.

      According to FiveThirtyEight, "Women were also more likely than men to say that they weren’t dating because they have other priorities right now." Priorities like travel, career, friendship, and even just self-care—all things that wind up taking a backseat when people get involved in relationships. It wasn't too long ago that women of a certain age that were still single were called "spinsters," but that word has lost a significant amount of power. This new generation of women aren't embarrassed or ashamed to be single; they're loving it for exactly all the reasons this video describes.

      This article originally appeared in April.

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      Animals & Wildlife

      Mississippi Gulf Coast is home to the only photographed living giant squid in North America

      There may be more but only one has been photographed.

      Photo credit: NOAA

      MS Gulf Coast is home to only photographed living giant squid

      Giant squids are the things nightmares and science fiction movies are made of. Squids are not the most adorable things to look at unless you're a zoologist or marine biologist. These ocean-dwelling creatures look like they would eat you if given the chance though, thankfully, this is not a worry most people need to have. Unless you are going deep into the ocean far removed from the United States, your chances of running into a giant squid are quite low.

      But they aren't zero. It turns out you don't have to go to some far off country to see a giant squid in the wild;, you just have to go to Mississippi. Marine mammal researcher for Mississippi State University’s Coastal Research and Extension Center, Dr. Holley Muraco reveals in an interview with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks that the waters right off of the Mississippi Gulf Coast are home to the only living squid photographed in North America.

      giant squid; Mississippi Gulf Coast; gulf coast; Gulf of Mexico; sperm whales; sperm whale squid battlesMedusa image of giant squid in Gulf of Mexico off of Mississippi Gulf CoastPhoto credit: NOAA

      The Mississippi Gulf Coast water is home to a lot of different aquatic critters. It's a place known for it's sea food and home to the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, a nonprofit organization that rescues and rehabilitates injured marine animals and houses those who can't be re-released into the wild. The organization also serves as a center for education on the different types of marine animals with interactive live animal shows at a fraction of the cost of visiting an aquarium. Mississippians are used to sharing the water with the different fish that live in the bay, bayou, sound, Gulf, and the ocean waters beyond the Gulf.

      giant squid; Mississippi Gulf Coast; gulf coast; Gulf of Mexico; sperm whales; sperm whale squid battlesSign warning against feeding alligators next to alligator in Mississippi marshlandsCourtesy of Jacalyn Wetzel

      A lot of time in Mississippi is spent outside on or near a body of water whether it's fishing off of a pier or kayaking in the bay. Gulf Coast residents have learned to peacefully exist with the animals that come with the territory, including alligators. But the discovery of a living giant squid in the body of water Mississippians enjoy year round is a surprise to locals and their Gulf Coast neighbors in the neighboring states.

      "Are you serious? If Mississippi residents actually knew this, they would be ecstatic to share it. I was born and raised in MS and that's the first I've ever heard it. I actually witnessed a manatee in Biloxi Bay as a kid and no one believed me," one person exclaims on a short clip of the interview.

      giant squid; Mississippi Gulf Coast; gulf coast; Gulf of Mexico; sperm whales; sperm whale squid battlesMississippi Gulf Coast beach in BiloxiCourtesy of Jacalyn Wetzel

      "As an Alabama resident, knowing they found giant squid off the coast of Mississippi doesn't make me feel more comfortable with being offshore," someone else shares.

      Giant squids aren't something people imagine much outside of movies or "scholarly" debates after a few drinks on who would win in a fight, a giant squid or a sperm whale. Turns out the sperm whale versus squid match is due to researchers once finding pieces of a large squid inside the belly of s sperm whale. Mississippians can rest assured that their waters would be the scene of the next rematch if there ever was one because according to Dr. Muraco, they've also spotted the huge sperm whales in the same water.

      "We have a resident population of sperm whales, right off, maybe 60 miles off of Gulfport. A resident population of sperm whales and so we know that we're having sperm whales with epic battles of giant squid. That's happening in our backyard, ya know. I'm like, it's crazy." Muraco excitedly tells the host before adding, "And I just want anybody who will listen to know, we can take ownership of this. Mississippi has the best access to that Mississippi Delta, Desoto Canyon, that magic place right there where all these marine mammals are trying trying to survive."

      Dr. Muraco also exclaims that Mississippi is also the home of Rice's whales, the most endangered species of whales in the world. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there are fewer than 100 Rice's whales in the entire world. The Gulf really does have diverse marine life.

      giant squid; Mississippi Gulf Coast; gulf coast; Gulf of Mexico; sperm whales; sperm whale squid battles2009 photo of giant squid caught in Gulf of Mexico near Mississippi GulfPhoto credit: NOAA

      People in Mississippi are no strangers to the giant squid—they're just not accustomed to them being alive. The first giant squid seen in the Mississippi coastal waters was found floating in 1954, and the second was pulled from the water in 2009 as researchers were looking for prey of sperm whales in the area. The squid caught in 2009 was 19.5 feet long and weight 103 pounds.

      “This is an incredibly rare find in the Gulf of Mexico,” said Michael Vecchione, director for NOAA’s Fisheries Service’s National Systemics Laboratory. A giant squid expert told the Smithsonian Insider the same, highlighting the gravity of the occurrence “Giant squid have been found more commonly in areas of the world where there are deep-water fisheries, such as Spain and New Zealand, but this is the first time one has actually been captured during scientific research in the Gulf of Mexico.”

      A more recent expedition in 2019 with a specialized underwater camera named "The Medusa" caught a glimpse of a living juvenile giant squid estimated to be between 10 and 12 feet long. A video shows the squid coming to eat the e-jelly lure placed on the camera before swimming away after realizing it wasn't actually food.

      Being that the squid is a juvenile, it's likely that there are more squids in the depths of the Gulf. It's just a matter of time before researchers capture evidence of older squids.

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      Heroic dad jumps off Disney cruise ship to save his daughter after she falls from 4th deck

      Onlookers held their collective breath waiting for the scene to unfold.

      Photo credit: Canva

      A parent would have done the same.

      Sometimes, our worst nightmares happen during moments that should feel safe and joyous. They happen no matter how careful and methodical we are to try to prevent them, and when they do, all we can do is rely on our instincts and quick thinking.

      For one father, that nightmare looked like watching his daughter falling overboard while on a Disney cruise.

      On June 29, as reported by Newsweekand USA Today, the two were aboard the Disney Dream, whichwas returning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida after four days of sailing through the Bahamas. While it's unclear as to how the little girl fell off (though some suspected that the girl was sat on the railing to get a selfie) sources confirmed that the ship was moving, not docked, when she did fall from the fourth deck—making matters even more dire.

      disney cruise ship, man jumps overboard disney cruise, man overboard, cruise ships, cruise ship storiesThank goodness this story has a happy ending.Photo credit: Canva

      On the last day of our Dream voyage and it is an at Sea Day. A girl fell overboard from the 4th deck & her dad went in after her. Right after the incident we heard on the loud speaker MOB Port side!!...

      The father did as many fathers would do. He jumped after her.

      Over on social media, including a Disney Dream Cruise Ship Facebook group, people recalled the incident.

      “Her dad went in after her,” one passenger aboard the ship wrote. “Right after the incident, we heard on the loudspeaker, ‘MOB [Man overboard] Port side!! Thankfully, the [Disney] rescue team was on it immediately and both were saved!”

      Another fellow passenger shared video footage showing a life boat quickly coming to the rescue.

      “We are committed to the safety and well-being of our guests," Disney Cruise Line wrote in a statement, "and this incident highlights the effectiveness of our safety protocols.”

      These safety protocols largely involve overboard detection systems utilizing thermal cameras and/or micro radars to notify crew of someone falling overboard almost immediately.

      To put things into perspective, only one or two people go overboard each month out of roughly 2.5 million who cruise during the same time frame, and those numbers seem to be continuously dwindling, no doubt in part thanks to tech like this. But point being, these accidents remain super rare occurrences.

      - YouTubewww.youtube.com

      Obviously, it doesn’t make them any less scary—especially in this circumstance. Which made it all the more a relief that both the father and daughter were brought back to safety.

      "That's terrifying!!! Thank goodness for the happy ending though,” one viewer wrote.

      Still another said, “I praise the dad for his courage and bravery to save his daughter. She will be forever thankful. A father's love.”

      Indeed, many, if not most parents would have similarly risked their lives in the same situation. But thankfully this act of bravery didn’t have to become a sacrifice.

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