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Joe’s Special Box Luxury Edition – Volume 26

February 28, 2025 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and A Collector’s Things

A leopard can’t change his spots… this age-old adage is just as true today as it when it was first coined in the Bible thousands of years ago. Adapted from Jeremiah 13:23, the message is simple. We cannot change who we are – not our personality traits nor our character. When I saw today’s featured piece, those were the words that popped into my head.

Let’s talk about those spots… Did you know that a leopard’s spots are called rosettes? This clever term refers to the actual shape of the spots – they look like roses. They’re not just dots; each one has a dark center that gets lighter toward the edge. The average adult leopard has between 800-1200 spots! This beautiful coloring provides protection for these big cats. The spots look like dappled sunlight, allowing leopards to blend into the trees where they like to rest during the day.

This striking brooch was made by Carrera y Carrera – a jewelry icon for more than 140 years. Known for exceptional craftsmanship, this Spanish jewelry house creates wonderful figural pieces. This brooch is a prime example – made entirely of 18-karat yellow gold, he stretches out to nearly 3 inches from the top of his head to the curl in his tail. His lovely spots, made from glossy black enamel, shine on the matte finish of the gold.

Shown here, on my hand, you can appreciate the impressive, yet completely wearable size. The body is solid, giving this leopard a wonderful, weighty feel. Don’t be fooled by the sweet diamond collar that our friend is wearing. Eleven fully faceted round brilliant diamonds encircle his neck. True to life, this leopard is fierce and powerful; his sharp canines are in full view and his claws are splayed on each powerful paw. Two ruby eyes glimmer within his sculpted skull.

Beautiful and sleek, this leopard brooch would make a wonderful talisman. Carrying a visual promise of strength and independence, the leopard stands apart from all other cats. It will quickly become a signature piece, worn with everything from leather to lace. Gift this bit of symbolic luxury someone you love for $6,150.00.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photography by Dana Jerpe

Joe’s Special Box – Volume 159

February 25, 2025 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

Very few pieces of jewelry sell as quickly as sweet little antique rings. At our store, the best ones can almost always be found in Joe’s Special Box. Like a squirrel storing nuts for the winter, Joe hoards these charming beauties for the perfect person. Although the box resides in his office, if I’m clever, I can peak through from time to time. And perhaps nab a ring or two…

This dainty darling was too good to leave in a box! Made near the end of the 1800’s in the Victorian era, this ring features a round turquoise in the center. Boasting the hue of a robin’s egg, this small gem is held in place with six prongs. Surrounding the center stone and bringing the perfect amount of sparkle to this vintage ring are six old cut diamonds. Also prong set, these diamonds are separated by little gold bars.

The shoulders of the ring are still original and feature lovely sculpted swirls and a hint of milgrain beading. When I looked inside the ring with my loupe, I knew immediately that the shank of the ring had been replaced. A singular engraved letter remains… an H, and then nothing. Whoever’s name or initials that were once memorialized inside this ring are gone. And while the logical part of my brain is delighted that someone saved what they could of this treasured antique, my sentimental side mourns the loss of the one who once wore it.

Made from 9-karat rosy gold, this ring is the latest addition to our antique department. It’s also a new arrival on our website. Hop on over and make it yours for just $575.00.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photography by Dana Jerpe

One Fish, Two Fish

February 21, 2025February 21, 2025 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Fishy Things

Lately, it seems like earrings are at the top of everyone’s wish list. At Christmastime, we couldn’t keep classic yellow gold hoops in stock; they were flying out the door! Coming in at a close second were diamond hoops, and colored stone studs. No matter the choice… the theme was the same; earrings! Now that the holidays are over and Valentine’s in in the rearview, we have restocked our earrings – these vintage cuties caught my eye.

Whimsical and fun, these little darlings are made entirely of 10-karat yellow gold (a detail that makes them a little more affordable!). Both the wire and the dangling portion of the earrings are decorated with Etruscan beading, a style that dates back hundreds and hundreds of years. The technique involves applying patterns to the surface of a piece of jewelry; the patterns are made from tiny beads of gold (known as granulation) with filigree and coiled wire designs. With origins in the 7th to 3rd centuries, the Etruscan style has been resurrected many times since; perhaps the most notable of the revivals were in the mid to late 1800’s and again in the mid 1900’s.

These charming puffer fish earrings were made in the in the Mid-Century Modern era. Their bright blue eyes are made from four round turquoise gems. I love that their little mouths are open – each one ready to take the perfect selfie! A singular piece of matte-finish gold forms the tail with a cleverly sculpted edge. The spiky look that puffer fish are known for has been achieved using the Etruscan techniques detailed above.

I was surprised by how light these puffer fish are in the ear! They’re comfortable and so fun! I love how much movement they have – they’re full of personality. These cuties are available now for just $650.00, and add a touch of whimsy to your look. Not yet on our site, give us a call to make them yours.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photography by Dana Jerpe

Baubles, Bling and A Collector’s Things

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

Baubles, Bling and Fishy Things

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