Monthly Archive: June 2024

Joe’s Special Box Luxury Edition – Volume 18

June 28, 2024 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and A Collector’s Things

Most traditional engagement rings feature one center stone – a singular focal point. From year to year, generation to generation, the trends evolve and change. Popular styles are often influenced by celebrities, movie stars and royalty. In the 1960’s, Mia Farrow inspired an entire generation to fall in love with pear-shaped diamonds. The asscher diamond rose to fame with a little help from Elizabeth Taylor. The 1980’s were all about the marquise cut and the 2000’s were positively dripping with princess cut sparklers. All of these had one thing in common… one center stone.

All of that changed in 2001, when DeBeers launched an advertising campaign that took the diamond ring market by storm. What was this ground-breaking phenomenon, you ask? It was a simple three-stone ring. The marketing masterminds at DeBeers dubbed the “Past, Present and Future” ring. The stone on the left was for the past, the stone on the right was for the present and the stone in the center was for the future. Adding this touch of romanticism to an already incredibly sentimental engagement ring was sheer genius.

We’ve covered engagement rings with a featured center stone and the Past, Present and Future three-stone ring. Hmmm… seems like we may have skipped something in between. We skipped from one to three. What about two-stone rings? Admittedly, it’s a bit more of a unique look… but two-stone rings have actually been around since the days of Napoleon and Josephine. Aptly christened the “Toi et Moi”, the two-stone ring is designed for “you and me”.

This antique beauty is a bit of luxury from the Edwardian era. Made entirely of platinum, this turn-of-the-century ring showcases a perfectly matched pair of European Cut diamonds. With a combined weight of 2.20 carats, these dazzlers are set side by side within the vintage mounting. Decorated with delicate hand-pierced designs, tiny milgrain beading and platinum scrolls – this two-stone ring is perfection. Thirty-six supplementary diamonds accent every nook and cranny. These gems offer an additional .30 carat of bling. An ideal choice for a non-traditional engagement ring, this two-stone beauty is the latest bit of luxury from Joe’s Special Box. Make it yours for just $11,800.00.

“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 151

June 25, 2024 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

Are any of you familiar with 15-karat gold? In the United States, the standard gold fineness is 10, 14, and 18 karat. It’s the same in England now… however, that wasn’t always the case. In the years between 1854 and 1931, jewelers in Britain often used 15-karat gold (usually hallmarked 15ct). If you have an antique piece of jewelry that is marked in such a way, chances are that it was made in England or the British Isles.

At least once a week, a customer will ask about the different caratages of gold. Over the years, I have developed my own answer to the question. The first thing that I explain is that all gold that comes out of the ground is yellow. This is pure gold, 24-karat. Pure gold is very soft, malleable. Jewelry made from 24-karat gold is very valuable, however, it isn’t practical for daily wear.

Pure gold is alloyed with other elements to make it more durable. Imagine that you have a pie that is cut into 24 pieces. In 14-karat gold, 14 pieces of the pie are gold. The other ten pieces are alloys such as silver, copper, nickel or zinc. In 18-karat gold, 18 pieces are gold and the remaining six pieces are alloys. In 10-karat gold, only ten pieces of the pie are gold, while the remaining fourteen are alloys.

This illustration easily explains how different caratages of gold are made. It’s also clear to see why 18-karat is more expensive than 14-karat. It has more pure gold content. So, a piece of 15ct jewelry has a higher percentage of gold than a 14kt piece, making it a bit more valuable.

This necklace from Joe’s Special Box features a crisp “15ct” mark on the back. Made at the end of the 1800’s, it could be late Victorian or early Art Nouveau. The fanciful scrollwork offers a light and airy feel to the necklace. The center pendant has a heart outline. A luscious emerald cut peridot is held in place by a series of claw-shaped prongs. A second smaller round peridot is set directly above the first. The lime green color is fresh, perfect for summer.

Eight bright pink gems further accent the necklace. Interestingly, three of these pink sparklers are imitation, while the other five are genuine pink tourmaline. All of the stones are authentic and original to the piece. I love the three pear-shaped gems… they dance below the bottom of the piece, swaying with the movement of the body.

Peridot is an often underrated and overlooked gemstone. The color is effervescent and inviting. Peridot is the August birthstone and also the suggested gift for a 16th wedding anniversary. Here, combined with pretty pink tourmalines and set in 15-karat yellow gold, the combination is enchanting. Priced at $1,850.00, this Art Nouveau beauty is the ideal accessory for your summer style.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

Signature Series – Volume 18

June 21, 2024 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Quality Things

In 1979, partners Jay Bauer and Anthony Hopenhajm founded a new and innovative jewelry design firm that utilized organic materials like rare wood breeds and seashells as well as gemstones. The result was bold – these chic motifs became wearable modern art. Trianon pieces were instantly recognizable and highly sought after.

Just thirteen years later, in 1992, this dynamic duo purchased another iconic company. Seaman Schepps was a well-known brand for decades. Established in 1904, the aesthetic was very much the same as Trianon – natural elements and candy-colored gems reigned supreme. Schepps was an American designer inspired by frequent trips to Paris, the fashion capital of the world. A family company, the firm passed from father to daughter after his retirement in the late 1960’s. Patricia was at the helm of the ship until she sold to Jay and Anthony. Trianon and Seaman Schepps continue to be widely recognized and wildly successful.

A recent acquisition, these original Trianon studs offer the whimsical style that the brand is famous for. These 20mm earrings capitalize on an unusual shade of jade. Presenting with a lovely soft greenish-blue hue, each rounded cabochon gem is polished to a shine and nestled within a 14-karat yellow gold frame. A solid sheet of gold covers the back of each earring and fully encapsulates the edge of the jade.

Though these earrings are currently made in non-pierced fashion, a post could easily be added for those with pierced ears. My favorite part of the earrings is the whimsical and somewhat random golden rivets that decorate the smooth surface of the jade. There are two distinct sizes of rivets, a small and a larger size. The larger rivets hold four round cabochon sapphires and the smaller rivets hold three round brilliant diamonds in each earrings. The deep blue and white gems add a bright pop of color. Combined, the eight sapphires have a weight of .40 carat and the six diamonds have a weight of .18 carat.

Shown here, the Trianon hallmark is crisp and clean. Likely made in the 1980’s, these are the latest addition to our estate department. The earrings are available for just $1,350.00. After assuming ownership of Seaman Schepps, Anthony Hopenhajm stated “It is vital, as time passes, to look around, be receptive to the times, and to be open to changes in the marketplace and potential clients.” That’s very solid advice from a man who leads not just one but two powerhouse jewelry companies!

“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 A Collector’s Things

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

Baubles, Bling and Quality Things

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