Hot or Not – Volume 17

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Curious Things

We’re back with another edition of “Hot or Not” – I love this unique adaptation of our regular blog.  It’s always interesting to see all the different opinions on a particularly unusual piece of jewelry.  The ring I chose this time STILL has me on the fence.  Based on my current likes, this ring should be a definite “no”… but there’s just something about it.  I keep going back to it. 

Made from 18-karat white gold, this band measures almost half an inch in width!  On my hand, it makes a bold statement.  Not just wide, but also thick, the ring has some unique azures (cut-outs on the inside of a ring used for cleaning); there are tiny star, crescent moon, and heart-shaped openings.  These small apertures continue three-quarters of the way around the inside, stopping only to leave a space for three hallmarks… one is not legible.  The remaining two indicate the fineness of the gold (18-karat) and the designer – Valente.  A fine Italian maker, they opened their doors in 1953 and quickly gained popularity.  

The outside of the band is just as unexpected as the inside.  Centered on the top half of the ring are a series of three identical hearts.  Each one features a Swiss blue topaz in the center.  This topaz trio has a combined weight of approximately 1.00 carat.  Surrounding each heart is a halo of round brilliant diamonds.  In total there are forty-eight stones that have a combined weight of .75 carat. 

Heart jewelry isn’t something that I typically go for…  but in the past couple of years, I have found more and more heart pieces that appeal to me.  Maybe I’m becoming more sentimental the older I get.  In addition, blue topaz is not one of my favorite gemstones AND I’ve definitely been feeling all the yellow gold vibes lately.  But there’s something about the combination of the white gold, blue topaz and the heart shapes. 

Just before Dana shot these pictures, we put the band in the shop for some TLC.  Our jeweler (Debbie) worked her magic and restored the soft satin finish to the white gold surface.  It’s amazing what a little love and a mini-spa day can do for a piece of jewelry.  Looking like new again, this ring was shiny clean and ready to go.  Fortunately – or perhaps unfortunately for me – this band is a finger size 10.  It’s too big for any of my fingers, and cannot be sized.  Moderately priced at $1,800.00 and equally suited for a woman or a man; this designer ring still has me asking the ultimate question.  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

Joe’s Special Box Luxury Edition – Volume 22

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and A Collector’s Things

The treasures at Joden are positively endless.  From showcases overflowing with the finest antique, estate and modern jewelry to the treasures nestled into every nook and cranny of Joe’s office –  our collection is truly something to behold.  Some of our customers have been treated to a private showing in Joe’s office where the crème de la crème resides.  It’s an assemblage of the rarest jewels suitable for even the most seasoned connoisseurs and private collectors. 

For those who haven’t yet visited our showroom, we have dedicated the last blog of each month to these truly remarkable riches… lavish, luxurious, and of course, extravagant.  Additionally, every single one of these gems were hand-picked by Joe.  That’s no small thing, Joe grew up at the bench.  His father was a master jeweler; his parents also owned a jewelry store.  Following in his father’s footsteps, Joe opened the doors of Joden Jewelers nearly fifty-four years ago; even now, he comes to work six days a week.  It’s not obligation, it’s love.  And so, when I tell you that something was hand-picked by Joe, it really is special.

Today, we have not one, but two beauties… a bangle and a pair of earrings.  Made from 18-karat yellow gold, the bangle hinges on one side.  Spanning the top half are a series of very fine gemstones… there are sixteen crimson red rubies.  Square in shape, these channel-set stones have a combined weight of 3.00 carats.  Then there are eight brilliant blue sapphires.  Also square-cut, these gems offer 2.50 carats of subtle shine.  At the end of each channel is a bezel set emerald.  These two vibrant green stones have a combined weight of 1.00 carat.

The outer edges of the bracelet are pavé set with a series of one hundred and thirty eight round brilliant diamonds.  Twinkling from every angle, these diamonds have a combined weight of approximately 4.00 carats.  All of this stunning beauty can be wrapped around your wrist for just $7,550.00.

Let’s up the ante with a gorgeous pair of coordinating earrings.  Also made from 18-karat yellow gold, these petite beauties curve enchantingly around the bottom of the earlobe.  Bezel set in the center is a vertical explosion of bold color; two oval rubies weighing 1.60 carats, two oval emeralds weighing .90 carat and two pear-shaped sapphires also weighing .90 carat.  A halo of thirty-eight baguette diamonds encircle the rubies and eighty round brilliant diamonds envelop the emeralds and sapphires.  Combined, there are 2.00 carats of dazzling diamonds.  Made in the 1980’s, these earrings are available for just $3,300.00.

If you are as enchanted as Joe with these incredible pieces, give us a call or stop by to see the beauty for yourself.

“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 27

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Quality Things

Is there a perfect pair of earrings?  It would have to be something that pairs equally well with jeans or formal wear; an accessory that you can wear every single day.  If you could only have one set of earrings for the rest of your life, what would they look like?  For some, they could be diamonds or perhaps sapphires.  Others might describe a simple pearl stud or something that dangles enchantingly from the earlobe.  For me, it would be a pair of hoops.  If I choose to wear earrings (my hair hides my ears, so sometimes my lobes go bare), it’s nearly always hoops.  

Personally, I feel like hoop earrings convey an air of whimsy and lightheartedness.  Someone who wears hoops is often perceived as a stylishly chic and fun person.  There are so many different types of hoops – assorted sizes, metal choices, plain or bedazzled.  There are endless choices.  Could there be an ideal balance of all of these options?

This recent acquisition just might be exactly that, the perfect hoop earrings.  These unique beauties are made from the dynamic combination of 18-karat yellow gold and stainless steel.  With a circumference of slightly less than a quarter, they’re an excellent size… large enough to be noticed but not so large to be uncomfortable.  Measuring 3/8 of an inch wide, these earrings offer real presence.  The omega-style closure snaps over the post of the earring bringing it snug against the lobe. 

The look presents two hoops placed side by side with an interesting pattern – the chevron.  The 18-karat yellow gold portion is comprised of four distinct narrow bands while the stainless steel portion is a singular wide band.  The two colors alternate both vertically and horizontally.  Combined, the earrings weigh just over an ounce, a detail that offers a luxurious feel.  Both the inside and outside of the earrings are pristinely polished, making them as smooth as silk. 

One final feature of these lovely earrings are the crisp hallmarks etched onto each one: “750, Or Et Acier, Bvlgari, Made In Italy, and 2337 AL”.  These markings state that the earrings are made from 18-karat yellow gold and stainless steel and that they were made in Italy by the legendary jeweler… Bvlgari.  Each of the hallmarks ensure the superior quality of the hoops.

Designed to last a lifetime and beyond, these earrings are truly worth the investment.  Priced at $4050.00, they’re not a bargain… but they are worth every penny.  Call or message us to make them yours today.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

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