Monthly Archive: February 2017

Seize The Day

September 9, 2023February 23, 2017 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Sun Seekers

The weatherman is calling for 72 degrees tomorrow. In February. In Western Pennsylvania. What a delicious little reprieve after the long cold days of winter. It feels like Spring. Even the flowers think so… my crocuses have pushed their bright yellow and purple petals up through the cold ground – seeking the sun. At the end of the day, I cruise down the road – sun roof open, jacket discarded on the passenger seat. I, too, am seeking the sun.

I cannot take another day of heavy coats, gloves, snow boots and hats. My boys are begging to wear shorts to school. In my best mom tone, I tell them “No! It’s February!,” but a little voice inside wants to let them. My sweaters have been shoved to the back of the closet in favor of lightweight colorful blouses and soft cotton pants. Every morning I look longingly at my strappy sandals and little summer dresses. I’m even ready for “summer” jewelry… ankle bracelets, toe rings, and delicate little necklaces like these…

I absolutely love this Victorian bib necklace. It’s incredibly light and feels as smooth as silk against your skin. Hundreds of individual gold links have been carefully woven together to create this effortless look. Pair it with a one-shouldered goddess-style dress for the perfect “night out” look, or with your favorite cropped jeans and halter for a casual effect. It’s available now on our website for just $1350.00.

Choose one of these vintage beauties for your 2017 summer wardrobe. The yellow gold adds warmth and classic style to every outfit. The twin drop necklace is available on our site – be sure to check it out today. The second pendant is a steal at $250.00 – but you’ll have to come to Joden to get it! It’s a beautiful day for a drive and we’re open until 5…

“You can go to our site and look, or come to Joden and touch.”

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Carrie Martin and Shelly Isacco

True Confessions

September 9, 2023February 18, 2017 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Sapphire Rings

I have a confession to make… I love jewelry. I love looking at it, I love talking about it, I love writing about it. However – I don’t really wear it, especially lately. It lays in piles all over our house… four bangles and a diamond band rest beside the toaster in the kitchen. There’s a pair of oversize silver hoops and a long necklace on the end table in the living room. The nightstand beside my bed is littered with bobby pins, a tub of Nivea crème, and at least four pair of discarded earrings. The older I get, the more I want to simplify my life. Less accessories just seems easier. There is no decision to make. Slip my diamond studs into my ears, put on my engagement ring and wedding band, and done. On the weekends, I only wear my wedding band. I love the way it looks on finger all by itself. Simple and elegant.

I love jewelry that means something… Personal jewelry. The significance of my wedding rings is obvious. My diamond earrings were a gift from my husband at a time when we really couldn’t afford luxuries. And yet, there they were, under our Christmas tree. Because of that, I treasure them all the more. I’m sure that in the years to come, I will acquire another piece or two of jewelry. I have always wanted a sapphire ring. Nothing over the top. Just simple and elegant.

I love tiny details about each of the rings pictured above. They are all Victorian rings from the late 1800’s. The style of jewelry had become much lighter than the Mid-Victorian era. Rings were often small with an open airy feel.

This classic piece features an oval sapphire surrounded by an Old European Cut diamond halo. The sapphire weighs 1.50 carats with .30 carats of diamonds. Priced at just $1500, it’s perfect for every day wear.

This is my favorite. It can easily be worn as a right hand ring or an alternative to the traditional diamond engagement ring. The small round sapphire is a sublime shade of cornflower blue encircled by nine Old Mine Cut diamonds, each facet twinkling in the light. I love the scrollwork that forms the prongs and graces the shoulders of this tiny enchantress. Check it out on our site. At $2500, it’s irresistible!

What’s not to love about this band style ring set with three cushion-shaped sapphires, two natural pearls, and eight rose cut diamonds? Called a carved half hoop ring for the intricate gallery work that creates the prongs, this style was popular from the mid to late 1800’s. It’s also available on our website, priced at only $1950.00.

All three of these rings are simple and elegant. I would happily abandon any right hand ring I have for one of these antique gems. Perhaps you would too!

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Carla Leight and Shelly Isacco

Serendipity

September 9, 2023February 10, 2017 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Forever Rings

When David (my husband) and I first started talking about engagement rings, my original thought was random and a bit irrational. Even then (18 plus years ago), I worked at Joden – a fact that influenced my engagement ring journey in more ways than one. Working here, we handle quite large diamonds on a daily basis. I had become very spoiled. My first thought went something like this – “Let’s buy the biggest diamond we can afford! I want a really big diamond!” As you can imagine this thought was not very popular with David… not only for financial reasons, but also because he wanted me to have a ring with character. A forever ring.

This is the thought that led me to set aside a radiant diamond that weighed 1.26 carats but actually looked much larger, closer to 2.00 carats. David hated it immediately. And to be blunt, I didn’t love it either. But it LOOKED big! I stuck with it for several weeks – until I laid eyes on my ring. One day I walked into Joe’s office, and there it was just laying on a black velvet tray. As soon as I put it on my finger, I knew it was the ring. The decision had little to do with the size of the diamond and everything to do with the way I felt when I looked at the ring.

If I were getting engaged today, I would choose a ring the same way – by the way it makes me feel. This picture features two rings that would be top contenders for me…

The first ring is an authentic Edwardian ring from 1915 with a rose-cut diamond center stone. That alone makes the ring unique. Add in the fine filigree detailing on the sides of the ring, the exquisite engraving that extends down the shoulders, and the tiny milgrain beads that create a knife edge at the peak of the band – it’s a rare beauty. The photos do not do justice to this piece, you NEED to see this ring in person! But you better hurry… priced at just $6500, it won’t last long.

This ring, from the early 1940’s is all about the multicolor gold. Rose gold scrolls support the kite shaped white gold segments that flank the center diamond – each one hand engraved with a floral-esque pattern. The yellow gold shank makes this ring a perfect trifecta of golden loveliness. If you’re a Retro girl, this ring is for you. It’s available on our site for only $4700.00.

And finally, for the irrational twenty-something girl who is still inside me somewhere, here’s the “big” diamond that has stolen my heart…

A vision of Art Deco perfection, this 6.58 carat diamond is absolutely stunning. I cannot do justice to this ring with mere words. Let me just add this… with an appraised value of $196,245.00, what could possibly be better? Come in and experience the luxury for yourself.

Go to our site and look, then come to Joden and touch.

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Shelly Isacco

Baubles, Bling, and Sun Seekers

Baubles, Bling, and Sapphire Rings

Baubles, Bling, and Forever Rings

joden_jewelers