Monthly Archive: May 2024 | Page 2

His and Hers – Volume 10

May 20, 2024 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Complementary Rings

In the past couple of weeks, Dana and I have been working on upping our website game. Until very recently, jewelry has been primarily dominated by pieces for women. However, with stylish and trendy celebs leading the way, men have been stepping it up in regard to fashion and high-end accessories. We’re not just talking about gold rope chains with crosses. Men are sporting strands of pearls, diamond chains, extravagant brooches and so much more. Not wanting to be left in the dust, we have added a men’s section to the website.

In the days and weeks to come, we will be adding several fancy and fun pieces to the site, like this ring…

Made from 10-karat white and yellow gold, this classic ring exudes elegance. A rectangular piece of black onyx sits vertically on the finger. Framed by a yellow gold border, this stark stone is the perfect background for a singular round diamond. Weighing just .03 carat, this tiny sparkler is set within a double milgrain-edged square.

A three-tiered rib decorates the shoulders of this estate ring, adding texture and visual appeal. A new addition to the website, this ring is priced at just $450!

Curvaceous and chic, this beauty is the perfect complement to our men’s piece. Elongated and upscale, this ring is made from 14-karat yellow gold. The lengthy center of the ring is accented by a trio of round diamonds that are set vertically. Six additional diamonds are situated to the left and right of the center… combined, these nine gems have a total weight of approximately .50 carat. A layer of black antiquing has been added to the ring, adding a hint of color to this stately beauty. Also on the website, this ring is priced at just $675.00.

This pair of rings is perfect for those seeking non-traditional wedding bands. They’re also fantastic choices for right-hand rings or even pinky rings. No matter the reason, it’s impossible to deny that this dynamic duo is the simply too good to pass up. Hop on over to our site where this “His and Hers” are waiting to become yours.

“You can go to a museum and look, or come to us and touch.”

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

This or That – Volume 12

May 17, 2024 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Inlaid Things

By definition, inlaid means “ornamented with embedded pieces of a decorative material flush with the surface”. This process dates back to the 1600’s and has been practiced for hundreds of years. The art originated in Florence, Italy. The craft itself was utilized to decorate architectural structures like doors and windows as well as ornamental pieces like furniture, fountains and sculptures.

Inlaid jewelry experienced a revival in the 19th century. The style became known as Pietra Dura (which means hard stone in Italian). Taking cues from Commesso mosaic work, Pietra Dura focused on fashioning pictures from carefully sawn pieces of semi-precious gemstones and fitting them together like a jigsaw puzzle. Typically floral in nature, they were usually constructed on a green, white or black base. Not to be confused with micro-mosaic, Pietra Dura is a refined process that employs larger hand-cut bits of beautifully colored stones like agate, jasper, lapis, jade, malachite, onyx, quartz and alabaster.

This brooch from the late 1800’s features an oval piece of black slate encapsulated by a simple 14-karat yellow gold frame. Showcasing a pair of orange five-petaled blossoms with a sprig of blue buds, this botanical brooch measures approximately 1.75 inches by 1.5 inches.

Shown from behind, you can see a small round ring that is hinged at the base. This tiny loop allows the brooch to be worn on a chain as a pendant. It is thoughtfully hidden away when the piece is used as a pin. Available in our store, this lovely piece of inlaid jewelry is priced at just $585.00.

In the mid-twentieth century, two men formed a partnership and created what is now considered to be the finest inlaid modern gold jewelry. Their names were Jerome Grossbardt and Larry Asch. Together, they became Asch-Grossbardt.

Recognized for exquisite color combinations and whimsical designs, the Asch-Grossbardt legacy is filled with miniature masterpieces. That turtle pictured above is one of my favorites. He’s just a little fellow, measuring 1.25 inches from the top of his head to the tip of his tail. His wide set eyes are marked by a matched pair of round coral beads. His shell is where the magic happens… nine individual scales have been hand-cut from a combination of lapis, malachite, onyx, mother-of-pearl and coral. These meticulously cut gems are set and then the finished product is lapped on a wheel until the surface is silky smooth.

Every Asch-Grossbardt design is original and copyrighted, a fact which makes them highly collectible. Our adorable turtle is priced at just $480!

Pictured together, both pieces are made from 14-karat yellow gold. Both of them also features an inlaid pattern showcasing a similar color palette of hand-cut semi-precious gemstones. We can’t help but wonder… which would you choose? This antique Pietra Dura flower brooch or that Asch-Grossbardt turtle? This or that?

“You can go to a museum and look, or come to us and touch.”

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

Joe’s Special Box – Volume 150

May 13, 2024 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

Did you have a small lockbox when you were younger – a secret place where you hid treasures? Beneath the locked lid might be a smooth creamy white lucky stone, a scalloped seashell from a beach vacation, a note from a cherished friend, or even a little ring or necklace that belonged to your grandmother. Each tiny trinket holds a place in your heart.

As an adult, our prized possessions are often conserved within a safe or a deposit box. Our jewelry (personal or inherited) is stored among birth certificates, marriage licenses, deeds and passports. From time to time, these valuables can be brought out to wear, appreciate, or so that we might share them with someone else. Telling the story of a prized possession or heirloom can bring as much joy as wearing it.

Joe’s Special Box is very much like those treasure chests… a caché of riches from centuries gone by. Every ring, necklace, brooch and bracelet has been carefully selected and hidden away. Each one has a special something that inspired Joe to add it to his collection… like this Edwardian necklace. The framework of the piece is a warm yellow gold base topped with a layer of platinum. A botanical swag vines across the base of the throat showcasing a dangling pendant with swirls and fans, culminating in a singular teardrop.

Forty-eight old cut diamonds decorate the entirety of the piece with a combined weight of 2.00 carats! One round natural pearl marks the center of the pendant, adding the only bit of color to this spectacular necklace. Made near the turn of the 20th century, this diamond and pearl necklace from Joe’s Special Box is available in our showroom for just $4,950.00. If you love to hear the history of antique jewelry, take a trip to Grove City and ask to the pieces from Joe’s Special Box.

“You can go to a museum and look or come to us and touch.”

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

Baubles, Bling, and Complementary Rings

Baubles, Bling and Inlaid Things

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

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