Monthly Archive: January 2025 | Page 3

Hot or Not – Volume 20

January 20, 2025January 10, 2025 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Curious Things

Snakes have been a recurring theme in jewelry for thousands of years. The many symbolic references are nearly as plentiful as the jewelry itself… in ancient Greece, snake bracelets represented immortality. Egyptians utilized an image of a snake eating its own tail; it was called an ouroboros and symbolized rebirth and eternity. Queen Victoria’s engagement ring from Albert was a bypass-style snake with an emerald set in the head – a talisman that represented his eternal love and commitment. The popularity of this creature continues today – it is thought to symbolize transformation, fertility and healing.

We recently acquired this unusual bracelet. It’s unlike any snake bracelet I have ever seen. Made from a combination of 18-karat rosy gold and silver, this sinewy snake wraps just once around the wrist.

Both the head and tail feature bright green enamel. Executed in classic guilloché style, the metal was carved to look like scales before the translucent enamel was applied. Two small dots of red enamel form the eyes with a narrow band of silver rimming each one. A textured piece of silver starts at the mouth, continues between the eyes then splits back to each side.

A forked tongue protrudes from the tip of the head, adding another classic snake feature. The body of the bracelet consists of a unique band of coiled gold. Resembling a large spring, the bracelet is flexible and easy to wear.

Most snake jewelry is quite realistic. While there is no doubt that this bracelet is a snake, it is less realistic and more whimsical. Antique snake jewelry that is well done and in good condition is easy to sell. Customers seek it out, some even ask to be notified when we get something. But this bracelet is completely different. Likely made in the 1940’s, it’s priced at $2,200.00. Curiosity is getting the best of me, and I just have to ask… is it hot? Or not?

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

What’s New – Volume 97

January 6, 2025 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and the Latest Things

With 2024 in the rearview and 2025 just beginning, we are excited to share fresh finds with you. Near the end of last year, Jay traveled to the other side of Pennsylvania to offer on one of the largest lots we have ever had the privilege to view. With more than twelve hundred pieces, it was quite daunting – however, Jay was up to the task. With the gold market peaking at some of the highest numbers we have ever seen, jewelry has been pouring through the door. As our primary buyer, Jay’s days are filled with evaluating jewelry, coins, paper money as well as flatware, tea services and so much more. Our inventory is growing with leaps and bounds and we are squirrelling away the very best pieces for you!

This sweet little brooch is one of my favorite finds from that large lot. Measuring just over an inch in length, this petite pin is actually one of the most clever bits of conversion jewelry I have ever seen. Shown from behind, perhaps you can see the lines separating each segment. Once bracelet links, these six pieces were soldered together to create this brooch. Having an exceptionally small wrist, I can certainly vibe with this genius idea of what to do with extra bracelet links! Harkening back to the Art Deco period, each link is hand-engraved with beaded milgrain detail. Viewed from the front, the pattern of the original bracelet reveals itself.

An east/west oriented navette shape made from four synthetic sapphires is completely surrounded by a band of diamonds of the same shape. Additional diamonds fill each of the four corners. In total, there are thirty-six round diamonds that have a combined weight of approximately 1.00 carat. With the size and shape of this little beauty, I can’t help but envision another conversion. By simply removing the pin stem and adding a tiny link and a chain on both upper corners, this brooch would make a perfect necklace. Lovely as is, this brooch is available now for just $1,200.00.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

His and Hers – Volume 13

January 3, 2025 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Complementary Rings

After ten years of working together, it’s no secret that Dana is my work wife. Like any great marriage, we finish each other’s sentences, can communicate entire volumes in a single look, and often have the same ideas at the same time. We’re sympatico. One of us is constantly going to the other with a piece of jewelry that is perfect for social media and/or a blog. Not only are we work besties, but we are close friends in our personal lives as well – we’re both sewists (makers); we share patterns and fabrics all the time. Just this year, we both began sourcing and upcycling vintage textiles, tattered quilts and other discarded handmade treasures. In a throw-away society that is obsessed with fast fashion, Dana and I feel blessed to be able to take something old and make it new again.

Over the past few months, our work world collided with our sewing passion. We met a young professional that both Dana and I vibed with immediately. His name is Nick Hess, and he owns a curiosity shop in Franklin, Pa called “The Printer’s Cabinet“. Nick’s tiny shop specializes in unusual memorabilia, oddities and antique jewelry. He’s quickly become one of our favorite clients, and a viable source for some of our most unusual requests – like uranium glass. Manufactured near the end of the 1800’s, uranium glass is decorative yellow-green glassware that contains a percentage of uranium.. this highly unusual ingredient causes the pieces to glow under a UV light.

As you can see, over time, uranium glass was also used in jewelry as well. The most common hue is celery green, like the two gems shown here. Not matching but certainly complementary, these Mid Century rings were made in the 1950’s. The men’s ring is made from 10-karat yellow gold and is set with a step-cut piece of uranium glass. The mounting has three deep ridges cut into each shoulder and the remnants of a satin finish are still visible. Measuring a finger size 8, this ring can be sized and is priced at just $580.00.

It’s counterpart – the ladies ring – is made from 14-karat yellow gold. It is also set with a step-cut uranium glass. The head and shoulders of the ring feature unique cut-outs and a lovely high-polish finish. Currently a size 6, this unique beauty can be sized. It’s priced at just $500.00.

Shown in the side-by-side photos above, you can see the results of holding a UV light onto the rings. It’s really neat, and definitely something that not everyone will have. Some of you are probably wondering if it’s safe to wear jewelry that contains uranium. The answer is yes… in fact, there is no more uranium in these rings than is in your cell phone or any other household appliance. If you’re as charmed by uranium glass as we are, these rings are available in our store and will soon be added to the website.

“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 Curious Things

Baubles, Bling and the Latest Things

Baubles, Bling, and Complementary Rings

joden_jewelers