Understanding our coordinates bracelets
All of the coordinate bracelets available at Life Less Ordinary are engraved with specific geographical coordinates. Yes, they look beautiful. But what do the numbers represent? As a leading supplier of this unique piece of jewellery – and self-confessed travel lovers – we have excellent knowledge in this area. And here we explore just what these etched digits actually mean.
What are geographical coordinates?
Geographic coordinates – also known as GPS (global positioning system) coordinates – are, essentially, two numbers which specify an exact location on the Earth’s surface.
The first number represents latitude.
Latitude is the horizontal position of a place relative to the equator (i.e. the line that divides the globe into northern and southern hemispheres). The equator is the baseline, with a latitude of 0 °. And as you move further north (N) or south (S), this value of latitude increases from 0 ° up to 90 °.
The second number represents longitude.
Longitude is the vertical position of a location relative to the prime meridian (i.e. the line that divides the globe into the eastern and western hemisphere). The prime meridian has a longitude value of 0 ° – and, as you travel further east (E) or west (W), this gradually increases up to a maximum of 180 °.
To give an example, Life Less Ordinary is based in Brighton and our geographical coordinates are:
Latitude: 50.8703 ° N
Longitude: 0.1076 ° W
This means we are 50.8703 ° north of the equator and 0.1076 ° west of the prime meridian.
It may sound a bit complicated. But the important thing to remember is, these numbers can be used to pinpoint any location across the globe. And if there’s a location that’s particularly dear to your heart or the key to a precious memory, they can be used to make a truly special piece of jewellery.
How can I find the geographical coordinates of my location?
There are two main ways to discover your unique geographical coordinates:
Google Maps
If you fancy going down the DIY route, Google Maps is an accurate tool to determine latitude and longitude numbers – and relatively easy to get to grips with. Detailed step-by-step instructions on this method can also be found in our recent blog ‘How to find coordinates using Google’.
Our on-site ‘coordinates finder’
To make your life that little bit easier, we also have our very own on-site tool.
This is (by far!) the quickest and easiest option. Once you’ve selected the desired options and added your coordinates bracelet to basket, the tool will automatically pop up on your screen. Simply type your location into the box and, in a matter of seconds, it will generate the unique geographical coordinates to be added to your jewellery. No fuss, no hassle, no confusion.
Getting the coordinates for your new bracelet wrong is akin to getting a misspelt tattoo. Not only does it cost time and money to correct, if you’re giving the jewellery as a gift, it can be particularly frustrating. So, whichever method you choose, be sure to take your time and get it right.
And, remember, we’re always here to help. If you’d like to find out more about geographical coordinates and have a question about any of the coordinates bracelets available here – at Life Less Ordinary – please feel free to get in touch. We’re a friendly bunch and are happy to assist with your enquiry. Simply fill out our online form and we’ll get back to you within 48 hours.