Luxurious Lace

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Detailed Things

It’s the little details that turn a house into a home.  From welcoming flowers on the front porch to the blanket draped lovingly across the back of the sofa – these are the things that make you want to settle in and stay for a while.  Growing up, my parents’ house was always (and still is) fitted with all the elements of home – soft throw pillows, family pictures, and the scent of a  Yankee tart wafting through the kitchen.  Now, my house has its own charms – baskets of blankets perfect for cuddling, a well-loved and oh-so cozy chair in the family room, and a container of homemade sweet treats on the kitchen counter.  These seemingly insignificant particulars are, in fact, the very things that matter.  

Antique jewelry is often the same.  It’s the fine points that take a piece from ordinary to extraordinary.  Edwardian and Art Deco finery is notable for stunning lace-like filigree jewelry, like this ring.  Made from a foundation of 18-karat white gold and topped with a layer of platinum, this three-stone ring is dripping with details.  A trio of European cut diamonds mark the center section of the ring.  Though each one is round, they are seated within both square and pear-shaped borders.  Milgrain beads add texture to those borders.  Cascading down the shoulders are two additional diamonds – these tiny sparklers are single-cuts.  Single-cut diamonds have just seventeen facets and were often utilized in pieces from the early to mid 1900’s.  

The outside edges of the ring have four more single-cut diamonds.  All nine diamonds contained within the ring have a total weight of approximately .50 carat. Gossamer wire threads connect each segment in a fine filigree web.  The woven pattern curls and whirls around the softly-domed top.  Finishing the sides and decorating each shoulder is chevron-shaped leaf engraving.  From the milgrain-beading to the filigree lace, these elements culminate into one enchanting ring.  If a single detail were gone – the ring would not be the same.

The elements create a mood, an ambiance…  a warm fuzzy feeling.  It’s like the emotion evoked by curling up in my favorite chair with my Snoopy throw blanket.  This ring doesn’t shout, but rather speaks in a quiet eloquent voice.  Made between the end of the Edwardian era and the beginning of Art Deco, it’s a crossover piece.  Priced at just $1,150.00, this ring is the newest arrival to our website.  Check it out then stop by the store to see it out for yourself!

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

Spot the Not

 Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Curious Things

Customers are always surprised to discover that synthetic gemstones have been around for quite awhile…  nearly 150 years!  It’s a common misconception that just because a piece is old then it must be real.  Time after time we have had to break the news that a beloved family heirloom is unfortunately NOT a priceless treasure.  More often than not, the true value of grandma’s ring is found in the memories of her wearing it rather than the rocks and metal it’s made from.

The inventory at Joden boasts a vast cache of Victorian riches including several little trinkets featuring a variety of imitation, synthetic and even glass stones.  Each of them is original and authentic, adding to their individual appeal.  

Recently, I stumbled across these two beauties…  a nearly perfect pair.  Both the ring and the bangle are from the late Victorian era, circa 1885.  Each one is meticulously crafted from rosy 14 karat gold.   The style is simultaneously simplistic and striking…  a harmonious balance that can be difficult to achieve.  While they each have a brilliant red center stone, one contains a red spinel and the other is synthetic.  Can you spot the not?

The triple banded open-shank of the ring is an ideal complement to the sparkling halo of diamonds.  There is an eclectic mix of cuts contained within…  there are single-cuts, Old Mine Cuts, European Cuts and even one round brilliant.  The unusual selection probably indicates that stones have been replaced over the years, adding another element of charm to the history of the piece.  It’s available on our site for just $1,380.00.

The bangle displays a singular knife-edged top with a round, tubular bottom bow.  A hidden push-button clasp releases the side, allowing it to open for ease of use.  The cushion-shaped center section glows with 1.25 carats of Old Mine Cut diamonds, arranged in an elegant halo motif.  Although it’s not on our site, it’s available in our showroom for $2,250.00.

Perhaps you’re wondering, which center stone is which?  Or maybe you’ve jumped ahead and discovered the answer for yourself by clicking the link to our site.  While each stone is bright and beautiful, it’s the ring that contains the genuine red spinel and the bangle features an authentic synthetic center.  Which one would you choose?  Better yet – why choose when you can have both!

“Go to our site and look, then come to Joden and touch.”

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

The Power of Three

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and  Three Stone Rings

Call it lucky.  Maybe even magical.  There’s no denying that the number three is symbolic.  Many notions have been associated with the number…  everything from religious connotations to ancient superstition.  The ideas have even permeated the jewelry world.  Three stone rings have often been described as “Past, Present, and Future” pieces.  So, whether it’s the symbolism that draws you in or simply the intrinsic beauty, these rings are just too good to miss!

 

This stunning trio offers all the best elements of the early 1900’s – handcrafted design, expertly executed filigree work, and a perfectly placed pop of color.  Factor in the “three-stone” element, then ask yourself this…  “What’s not to love?”

Get an eyeful of this little enchantress!  Milgrain details bring delicate filigree edges to life with tiny hand-faceted beads that sparkle like diamonds.  To fashion that “three stone” style, the center diamond is flanked by a pair of French cut synthetic blue sapphires (Many people don’t know that synthetic stones were common during the Art Deco period!).  The burst of blue makes the ring even more enticing.  Available now for just $1100.00.

Soft white gold blends with the warmth of yellow gold to create this classic beauty.  The ring sparkles with a pair of European Cut diamonds and a synthetic ruby center.  Four leaf-life accents perform supporting roles, each one with a faceted diamond center.  Go to our site and check it out for yourself.

If you love vintage jewelry, but color isn’t your thing, then this third ring is the charm!  From the heart of the Art Deco period, you’ll love the graceful lines of this elegant ring.  Three Old European Cut diamonds set across the top give this piece that time-honored “three stone” appeal.  This ring is a perfect fit for just $900.00. 

On the count of three, come to Joden and make one of these rings yours!  And don’t forget to subscribe to Joden Girl to have it delivered straight to your inbox.  Just click on the newsletter link and sign-up now.

“Got to our site and look, then come to Joden and touch.”

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Shelly Isacco

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