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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 a sweet snack that boosts your mood (courtesy of our friends at All In), or a dad joke so epic you'll hurt your eyes from rolling them so hard. 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—and this week, in honor of Father's Day, it's dad-themed.

      Ready to smile? Here we go.

      1.The "soulmated so hard" trend

      @breezeb3a

      I’ll never recover from losing you 💓

      ♬ The Winner Is... Version - DeVotchKa

      This is a TikTok trend that’s both wholesome and, at times, actually jaw-dropping. The premise is this: Pets can be our soulmates, and sometimes we “soulmate” so hard that our pets leave a lifelong impression on us. This trend has people showing how big of an impression their pets have made on them, even after they’ve crossed the rainbow bridge. In one video, user Brianna Kay shares an ultrasound of her baby with what looks like the outline of her dog kissing the baby on the forehead. In another video, an owner asks her soulmate cat to send her a sign from beyond the grave that she is at peace. The response (here) will shock you.

      2. Dudes getting flowers

      Why is it that men (traditionally speaking) are the ones who give flowers, and not usually the ones who get them? We don’t have a good answer for that, but it’s clearly time to flip the script. This week, our friends from All In are hitting the streets of New York and delivering bouquets to men, and they are absolutely loving it. Let’s make this a regular thing.

      3. A new grandpa gets good news  

      @ellelauricella In my feels today remembering my dad’s reaction to meeting my baby ❤️ We named his middle name after my father and kept it a surprise my whole pregnancy. This was one of the happiest moments of my whole life. #postpartum #dad #dadsoftiktok #dadanddaughter #grandson #firstgrandbaby #birthvlog #hospitalbirth #momsoftiktok #fyp #firsttimemom ♬ Stuff We Did (from 'Up') - Piano Version - your movie soundtrack

      Just in time for Father's Day! There’s almost no better way to honor your dad than naming a new baby after him, which is exactly what happens in this video. It’s almost impossible not to cry (happy tears!) seeing this new grandpa learn the good news from his daughter, who’s already weepy from postpartum hormones. (We’re not crying, you’re crying.)

      4. Dad's loving dogs

      @aubree.avery I had to make a PowerPoint to convice my parents to let me get her & now she is four years old and my parents beg me everyday to let them keep her. #dogmom #doodle #doodlesoftiktok #dogs ♬ Kiss me Sixpence None The Richer - whitelinesprettybabyy

      Speaking of adorable dads: It seems like there’s this universal experience where when someone brings a pet into a household, the dad of the household will refuse to bond with it (at least at first). TikTok has latched on to this truth and is now flipping the script, showcasing dads who initially refused to accept the family pet and are now treating it like their precious firstborn. Search “dads and the dog they didn’t want” on TikTok and you’ll find some hilarious examples (like this dad, testing every couch inside a furniture store to make sure he’s able to adequately rub the dog’s belly from his seat on the sofa).

      5. A dog who just cannot handle a prank 

      @haleyandthepets spoiler bro got mad instantly #foryou #foryoupage #dogs #fyp #dunkindadawg #viral ♬ snoopy von - joro.mixes

      We can never share enough dog content, right? (That was a rhetorical question, because the answer is of course not.) Dogs are adorable. They’re hilarious. And they have some very strong feelings. In this video, one easygoing dog gets his “nose stolen” as a prank, and every time he finds out, he shows his owner that he is absolutely not having it. Give that baby her nose back!

      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.

      Learning

      The one sign that someone is highly intelligent, according to literary genius Leo Tolstoy

      He was a master of understanding the human condition.

      en.m.wikipedia.org

      Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy.

      Leo Tolstoy was a Russian novelist known for epic works such as War and Peace and Anna Karenina. His life experiences—from witnessing war to spiritual quests—profoundly influenced his writings and gave him profound insights into the human soul. His understanding of emotions, motivations and moral dilemmas has made his work stand the test of time, and it still resonates with people today.

      Julian de Medeiros, a TikToker who shares his thoughts on philosophy, recently shared how Tolstoy knew if someone was highly intelligent—and his observation says something extraordinary about humanity.

      intelligence, thinking, thought process, humanity, humansAn intelligent man's thought process.Canva Photos

      “The more intelligent a person is, the more he discovers kindness in others,” Tolstoy once wrote. “For nothing enriches the world more than kindness. It makes mysterious things clear, difficult things easy, and dull things cheerful.”

      @julianphilosophy

      Intelligent people are kind #intelligent #intelligence #kindness #smart #tolstoy #men #women


      De Medeiros boiled down Tolstoy’s thoughts into a simple statement: “Intelligent people are unafraid to be kind.” He then took things a step further by noting that Tolstoy believed in the power of emotional intelligence. "To have emotional intelligence is to see the good in other people, that is what Tolstoy meant, that to be intelligent is to be kind," he added.

      It seems that, according to de Medeiros, Tolstoy understood that intelligent people are kind and perceptive of the kindness in others. The intelligent person is conscious of the kindness within themselves and in the world around them.

      In a 2024 opinion piece for Inc., author and speaker Jeff Hayden cites organizational psychologist Adam Grant, who says, "Generosity isn't just a sign of virtue. It's also a mark of intelligence. Data: people with high IQs have more unselfish values, give more to charity, and negotiate better deals for others. They prioritize the long-term collective good over short-term self-interest. It's smarter to be a giver than a taker."

      Hayden adds on to this statement, saying, "...You can also be smart enough to be generous, thoughtful, and kind. You can be smart enough to build people up instead of tearing them down. You can be smart enough to give before you receive (or better yet, with no expectation of reciprocation.) You can be smart enough to shift the credit from yourself to others."

      kindness, intelligence, humanity, human condition, be kindKids showing kindness through sharing. Canva Photos

      In other words, these findings certainly line up with what Tolstoy's take on the correlation between kindness and intelligence.

      Through Tolstoy's musings, de Medeiros (and Hayden and Grant) makes a point that is often overlooked when people talk about intelligence: truly smart people are as in touch with their hearts as they are with their minds.

      This article originally appeared two years ago. It has been updated.

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      A Vietnam veteran died, leaving his dog homeless. His mailman took immediate action.

      He stood outside the shelter before it even opened.

      Photo credit: Canva

      After a Vietnam vet died, his mailman stepped in to rescue his dog

      Mail carriers become fixtures in the communities they serve and are often the first people to realize something is wrong when it comes to elderly community members. Sometimes mail carriers are the only people elderly community members interact with on a regular basis so it's not uncommon for them to become like extended family. Home health aids and even pets become familiar with the regular mail carrier, looking forward to daily hellos.

      A North Texas mailman, Ian Burke worked the same route for two years, becoming familiar with the people that resided in the homes. During that time he got to know a wheelchair bound Vietnam veteran and is dog Floyd, who was just a puppy when Burke first met him. As life goes, things change which resulted in the mailman being assigned a new route while a college took his old one. This change lasted for about a year before Burke was delivered some unfortunate news.

      dog rescue; humane society; vietnam vet; mailman saves dog; mailman rescues dogblack and white short coated medium sized dog lying on green grass during daytime Photo by Bianca Ackermann on Unsplash

      The mail carrier that took over Burke's route informed him that the elderly man passed away leaving his dog all alone. He shared with his coworker that the dog was in the Denton Animal Shelter and was currently up for adoption. Burke knew exactly what he needed to do. The mailman couldn't let the dog go home with strangers so he hopped in his car first thing in the morning to stand outside of the shelter waiting for it to open.

      He was going to be Floyd's new owner, there was no doubt in his mind that the dog belonged with him, but would Floyd still be there? Would the pooch still remember the mailman after a whole year of him being away? After all, they only had brief interactions each week.

      "I went down to the shelter at about 10 AM is when they opened, I got there at 9:50 to make sure I was first in line. I kinda felt responsible to take care of him. I think he [the previous owner] would be pleased to know that his former mailman is taking good care of his dog," Burke tells KENS 5. "It's probably one of the best things that the postal service inadvertently issued me."

      Burke is hopeful that sharing his story will encourage other people to look for dogs at their local animal shelter, though he knows his bond with Floyd is unique.

      dog rescue; humane society; vietnam vet; mailman saves dog; mailman rescues dogMan shares a joyful moment with his dog in a sunny field.Photo credit: Canva

      "I don't take it lightly, you know, like that this is just some random dog that I'm adopting. This is a dog that was loved and cherished by a former customer of mine," Burke explains to the outlet before recalling the first time he met Floyd, "and he got out the door and he charged at me, right, a little puppy."

      Animal shelters are often overcrowded and not every animal that comes through their doors are strays. When a pet owner dies and there's no instructions or agreement in place on who will care for the animal, they can wind up in the shelter. Thankfully for Floyd, a forever home was someone that has known him since he was a puppy. The duo were able to pick right up where they left off like they were always meant to be together.

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      People from other countries share 14 things that instantly tell them someone's American

      Have you ever heard of the "American lean"?

      via zoetnet/Flickr, Ewen Roberts/Flickr and Tom Hodgkinson/Flickr
      Some American tourists enjoying the sights

      Americans have a style and personality all their own, which isn’t a bad thing. It’s just noticeable when they travel aboard. Americans often stand out because of their outgoing personalities. They are friendly and enjoy having casual conversations with strangers.

      This is an endearing trait to a lot of people in more reserved cultures, although it can also come off as a little brash.

      An American characteristic that isn’t quite endearing to people in other countries is that they can be rather loud. In Europe, one can always notice the Americans in the restaurant because they can be heard from across the room.

      One Reddit user wanted to know the specific ways that Americans stand out when traveling abroad, so they asked the AskReddit subreddit: “What’s an obvious sign that someone is an American?”


      american tourists, american culture, americans abroad, americans, USA, tourists, travel, europe, cultureIt may not be quite this obvious, but Americans do stand out.Giphy

      The post was popular, receiving nearly 6,000 responses in just 6 days. The most popular ones described how Americans' unique personalities, style of dress, dental hygiene and body language make them easy to spot.

      Here are 14 “obvious” signs that someone is an American.

      1. Posture

      american tourists, american culture, americans abroad, americans, USA, tourists, travel, europe, cultureAmericans slouch and lean.Giphy

      "Apparently, the CIA trains American agents to not lean on things if they go undercover in foreign countries because Americans lean on anything they can while standing around," one user wrote.

      "I bet MI6 trains British agents to lean on everything if they go undercover in America because Americans lean on anything they can while standing around," joked another.

      Shockingly, this is actually true. The "American lean" is well-documented and, yes, a former CIA chief has said publicly that it's something the agency addresses with its operatives to help them blend in.

      2. The date

      "MMDDYYYY," a user said.

      The way Americans write the date seems normal and commonplace when you're in the US, but around the world, we're practically the only ones who do it that way. Similarly, only a small handful of countries outside of the US use the imperial system of measure.

      Writing the date or using feet and inches are a dead giveaway!

      3. Distances are different

      "Anything under 4 hours is 'close by," someone suggested.

      "Everything in Europe is around the corner if you're from the US. I can drive the whole day and not leave my state, but in Europe, I can pass through 4 countries in that same time frame," said another.

      The massive geography of the United States has a big affect on how we see distance. It shows up when we travel to other countries that are more densely packed together.

      4. They're polite to servers

      "In the touristy cafe-restaurant I worked at:

      If they asked me for the nicest spot we had

      If they asked me my recommendation without seeing the menu first

      I would walk to the table, and they would say right away ‘hey, how are you doing?’ This one threw me off a lot at first. Why is this person asking me how I'm doing?? I'm just there to take the order. I got used to it, and I think they found my awkwardness cute.

      They would ask my name when I greeted them and took their order.

      I'm Northern European.," explained one user.

      "It’s under-appreciated just how polite, friendly, and sincere Americans are in general. It blew my mind the first time I came to the US, and I love that my children are growing up with those same values," said another.

      You might expect to hear that Americans are rude and entitled when traveling, but that's not necessarily the case! In America, some friendly rapport with your waiter is expected, and Americans tend to be a more outgoing bunch that love to engage. That makes them stand out in European countries, in particular, where restaurant service is meant to be professional and efficient rather than charismatic.


      5. The water bottles

      american tourists, american culture, americans abroad, americans, USA, tourists, travel, europe, cultureAmericans love huge water bottles.Giphy

      "I was told, 'Americans carry water bottles around like they're worried they'll never have access to clean water ever again," one user said.

      "I don't care what anyone says. If you think carrying a water bottle when walking a lot is weird, you're probably slightly dehydrated all the time and are just desensitized to it. You seriously need to drink water frequently if you want to be ideally healthy," said another.

      The water bottle fad is uniquely American, for better or worse. Whether it's a Yeti, a Stanley, an Owalla, or something else, you can bet if someone is swinging a massive water bottle wherever they walk, they're an American.

      6. Smiling

      "I was in Germany this past summer, and I realized smiling at everyone you make eye contact with is very American. When I went to London on the same trip, they seemed less weirded out by it but would awkwardly return the smile. I was taught to always start with a disarming smile. Never realized it was American," said one person.

      7. "More ice, please."

      american tourists, american culture, americans abroad, americans, USA, tourists, travel, europe, cultureAmericans love tons of ice in their drinks.Giphy

      "I spent a year in Europe completely iceless to the point I forgot that was a thing. I stopped at a bar in Chicago fresh off the plane and not only did I get free tap water, but water with ice. I instantly felt at home," added one person.

      There is a long and fascinating history involving someone called "The Ice King" behind why Americans, and so few other cultures, love to put tons of ice in our drinks. Needless to say, it makes us stand out like a sore thumb when traveling.

      8. Personal space

      "As an American man, I’ve been told repeatedly by European and Asian friends that we simply take up space (not by being fat) as though we’re entitled to it. Men in other countries apparently don’t claim the same personal space we do," one person offered.

      You mean manspreading? Apparently, other cultures don't do that.

      9. White teeth

      american tourists, american culture, americans abroad, americans, USA, tourists, travel, europe, cultureAmericans value ultra-white teeth.Giphy

      "It’s even more bizarre that they assume we have braces or bleach our teeth because they’re straight and white. I have naturally straight white teeth. I brush them twice a day so they stay white. I don’t do anything special to them, but I remember being in London and some similar-aged students literally making fun of me for my teeth… it’s true that they don’t naturally look like headstones in an ancient graveyard, but there’s no need to make fun," someone added.

      Imagine getting made fun of for having white teeth! For one reason or another, American culture places high value on having extremely white teeth. We all know the old jokes about British teeth, but some findings show that while Americans' teeth may be whiter, Brits may be healthier overall. Something to think about.

      10. Casual dress

      "My friend went to Germany recently, and what people said about Americans is you can spot them a mile away because they’re the ones wearing pajamas in public. Apparently, in other countries, at least Germany, they dress a little more formally and in less baggy clothes than we do in America," someone added.

      Activewear, sweatpants, pajamas — we love to be comfortable! But it does make us a bit obvious when we're out and about in other countries.

      11. Baseball hats

      american tourists, american culture, americans abroad, americans, USA, tourists, travel, europe, cultureAmericans wear hats... everywhere.Giphy

      "Baseball cap... even on an infant riding in a pram," a user suggested.

      Baseball hats are common in many countries around the world, but most people internationally only wear them outside. If someone's wearing a cap inside or at a restaurant, it's a safe bet that person is American.

      12. Shoes

      "Americans are shoe snobs (they don’t think they are, but they are). Setting aside wealthier business types, Americans generally wear more on-brand, on-trend, high-quality shoes than others," someone said.

      13. They're loud

      american tourists, american culture, americans abroad, americans, USA, tourists, travel, europe, cultureAmericans' default volume is loud.Giphy

      "That was my first thought. Americans yell at each other in normal conversation in public. I noticed it years ago in Europe, and now I can’t stand it in the US," another user added.

      Now there's an unsurprising revelation! Just like our tendency to take up space, Americans seem to have less awareness of those around them when it comes to conversation volume, as well.

      14. Occupation matters

      "Immediately asking someone what they do for a living when meeting them. Our jobs and work are our entire identity," one person said.

      "I hate that about American culture. I'm an American and recently became a SAHM, so I don't have an answer to 'What do you do for a living?' Half the time, I add the caveat, ‘Oh, my last job was with Apple,’ so that I'm not written off as an unemployed ‘loser.’ But it really is dumb to determine a person's worth by what they do in order to afford food and shelter," added another.

      There are huge differences in work culture between America and other countries. They're so big and pervasive that they show up not just while we're working, but in the way we interact with others. For example, in Europe it's far less common to be friends with your coworkers. People value the purpose they find in work and the results, but are happy to keep the majority of their life separate from their career.

      This article originally appeared last year. It has been updated.

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      Sweet baby camel greets her caregiver in the most adorable but uncannily human-like way

      The owner of Flaire’s Flippin’ Critters credits his camels with "saving his life."

      Photo credit: Canva

      This is too cute for words.

      Camels just aren’t one of those animals whose sounds we learn about in school. Do they grunt? Howl? Bleat? One thing is almost certain—you wouldn’t expect their signature call to be “hey.” Nor would you expect it to sound uncannily like a human.

      And that’s exactly why an adorable baby camel named Faye is taking the internet by storm. Back in April, her caretaker Flaire Ferrell posted a TikTok of Faye’s incredibly Joey Tribbiani-esque greetings, where even he could barely contain his giggles. Since posting, the clip has racked up a whooping 18 million views.

      Needless to say, commenters had a field day.

      @flaireexotic Faye says hey!!!! Gotta love baby camels 🥰🐪❤️#camel #hi #camelsoftiktok #hey #fyp #faye #lovellfaye #animal #missouri #baby #babygirl #exoticpets #love #faye #humpday #flaireexotic ♬ original sound - Flaireexotic


      “Can you please ask the baby if it can add a ‘I’m walking here’ to its vocabulary?” one person wrote.

      Another joked, “This camel is walking down the street in Jersey 100% of the time.”

      “She’s got a New York accent and you can’t tell me otherwise,” quipped a third.

      While the eastern accent might be all Faye, the “hey” sound isn’t. Below another baby camel named Georgia does her own rendition:

      @flaireexotic #camel #georgia #hi #howareya #dromedary #baby ♬ original sound - Flaireexotic


      Feeling cuteness overload? You’re not alone. “My heart just EXPLODED!” one viewer wrote, while another added, “bro it’s so cute I don’t know what to do.”

      In an exclusive interview with People, Ferrell said that these “heys” are “not really an uncommon thing for camels,” though they usually deepen with age. Not all of them do, as you can see with Fefe below, who may or may not be channeling a goose:

      @flaireexotic My camels really do talk back! 😂🐪 👋🏻 Say Hi to FeFe! #camel #hi #dromedary #camelsoftiktok #fyp #fefe #animal #pet #humpday #everyday ♬ original sound - Flaireexotic


      Ferrell, who runs a menagerie in Southeast Missouri (Flaire’s Flippin’ Critters LLC) with all kinds of critters—including emus, kangaroos, donkeys, horses, cattle, chickens, pigeons and a single potbelly pig—also told People that camels have been his biggest passion since 2014, beginning with his first pet camel named Roman, who was his “best friend.”

      “Camels have really saved my life,” he told the outlet. He hopes that his sweet little videos might help break the stigma that camels are nothing but mean, spit-spewing animals, and help people love them as much as he does.

      Fun fact: while camels seem like exotic creatures in the US, the Camel family (Camelidae) first evolved in North America, approximately 44 million years ago. The Camelops, aCamelidae subspecies, remained there until it went extinct. Paracamelus, another subspecies crossed the Bering Strait 7-6 million years ago from North America to Eurasia, thus becoming the ancestor for living camels we know today.

      Also, camel milk is the closest to human milk, making it a great substitution for human babies compared to cow’s milk, and is also great for those who are lactose intolerant. While it's not a popular drink in America, it’s been consumed all over the world for centuries due to its nutrition benefits, and there are camel dairy farms in the country that make and sell it.

      There you have it. You now know so much more about camels than you did a few minutes ago.

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      The super interesting reason why people in the past looked so much older than people today

      It isn't just the hairstyles.

      via Nick Denner/Flickr and Canva/Photos

      How are these both high schoolers?

      Have you ever looked back at your parents’ high school yearbook and thought that all the 11th graders looked like they were in their early 30s? Whether they were in school in the ‘60s and the kids had horn-rimmed glasses or the ‘80s with feathered hair, they looked at least a decade older than today's high school kids. One wonders if in 30 years, kids look at a yearbook from 2025 and see boys with broccoli cuts and girls with nose rings and they think, “What are they, 35?”

      The folks at Bright Side did a deep dive into the phenomenon and found a few reasons why people looked so much older in the past than they do now. It’s a mix of how our minds perceive older fashion and why people age more gracefully in modern times.

      Why did people look older in the past?

      “Specialists have looked into this phenomenon, and it does have some scientific facts to back it up,” the narrator states. “It's not necessarily that our ancestors looked older; it's more that we appear to look younger. And younger as generations go by, that's because over time humans have improved the way they live their lives in the us alone over the last 200 years.”

      - YouTubewww.youtube.com

      A big reason people looked a lot older when photography became common in the late 1800s is that it happened at a time when we were making tremendous advances in public health. The 1880s to the 1920s were a time of rapid advancement, when we began to understand infectious diseases and how they spread. “We gained access after safer types of foods, and we understand the importance of clean water. Our individual lifestyle choices can impact the way we look,” the video says.

      The way we work has also drastically changed how people look. Working in an office for eight hours a day in air conditioning will keep you a lot younger-looking than working all day as a Victorian chimney sweep. Plus, for people who work outside, sunscreen has made it much easier to protect our skin and decrease wrinkles.

      Let’s not forget the importance of a straight, white smile. Advances in dental care also help make people look younger.

      1970s girls, high school girls, girls in uniforms, old high school photos, nostalgiaA "girl gang" in 1976. via Earthworm/Flickr

      Why do people wearing styles from the past appear older?

      Finally, there’s the clothes issue, and, yes, this does have a big impact on how we view the age of people from the past. “Our brains are wired to associate old trends with being old,” the video says. “For example, your grandpa might still have the shirt he wore in that 1970s picture, and it's because of that shirt that you retroactively associate that trend with being old, despite the fact that your granddad does look younger in the picture than he looks today. “

      girls in school, '60s high school girls, class room, old-school cool,GIrls in class in the 1960s.via Phillips Academy/Flickr

      In the end, the fact that people look a lot younger today than they did in the past is a testament to how the quality of life has drastically improved since cameras were first invented. However, that doesn’t mean that fashion has improved at all. You have to admit that your dad with that fly butterfly collar in his 1977 graduation photo looks better than that multi-colored, Machine Gun Kelly-style hoodie you see guys wearing in high schools today.

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