Joe’s Special Box – Volume 161

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Thing

The Retro era is perhaps the most underrated of all the jewelry periods.  Encompassing the late 1930’s through the 1940’s, the Retro era coincided with World War II.  It was the single most defining event to directly impact the jewelry market.  Platinum was reserved for the war effort – it was a crucial element in making rifle and engine parts, explosives and armaments.  Because it was absolutely essential elsewhere, this precious metal was strictly prohibited for use in jewelry.  That fact closed the door on Art Deco and opened a window for something fresh and new.  Creative genius stepped in; the gold that was available was alloyed with a higher percentage of copper resulting in a strikingly beautiful pinkish hue.  Rose gold would become the face of the Retro era.  Jewelers also experimented with other alloys, a process that introduced more colors of gold.  Oftentimes, multiple hues were used in the same piece, like this one…

Measuring just shy of 12mm wide, this band is a delightful confection of color.  Made entirely of 14-karat, the main body of the band is rose gold. The surface has a raised, textured finish…  hundreds of tiny beads are speckled from one scalloped edge to the other.  A botanical pattern has been appliqued to the rose gold band.  There are white gold blossoms with rose gold centers, yellow gold sprays, and small rose gold flowers artfully arranged around the circumference of the ring.  It’s made in an eternity style, with no beginning and no end.  This band is size 8.25.  Much like Cinderella’s slipper, it needs to be a perfect fit as it cannot be sized.  I’ve tried it on all of my fingers, but alas, I am doomed to the fate of an ugly stepsister… it just doesn’t fit.  Maybe you will be the lucky one!

 

 

There are eight round diamonds decorating the band.  With a combined weight of .65 carat, they offer a hint of sparkle to this whimsically-inspired look.  If you’ve been searching for a signature look – something special that can be worn daily – look no further.  This bold beauty is moderately priced at $1,975.00.  Stop by to determine your fate… will you be an ugly stepsister like me, or will you be Cinderella?

“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 87

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and the Latest Things

If you’re a regular reader, you know that I am a sucker for flower jewelry, especially rings.  I can’t resist them!  Every time I discover a new one, I have to try it out.  I put them on – right hand, then left.  And since I tend to be super simple in regard to accessories, I am a ring-finger only kind of girl.  Even though I have lots of rings that fit on other fingers (index, middle and even pinkies)…  99.9% of the time, I only wear rings on the third finger of each hand.  I know, I know….  how boring.  Sigh.

About a month ago, I found this beauty.  Impressive in size, the blossom reaches from knuckle to knuckle on my hand.  Delightfully large and bursting with style, this ring makes me smile.  Combining a silver top with a 14-karat yellow gold base, the ring seamlessly blends these two distinct metal colors.  

Mozambique garnets form each of the five petals and the center of the flower.  There are five oval-shaped stones and one round that have a combined weight of approximately 9.65 carats!  The center garnet is set in a silver milgrain-edged bezel.  Further enhancing the design and outlining each petal are forty rose-cut diamonds.  These primitively cut gems offer .75 carat of subtle shine.  The scalloped border of the ring also features a slightly worn milgrain detail that showcases the deep brownish-red hue of the garnets to perfection.

Garnet is the birthstone for January.  Affordable and readily available in a variety of colors, garnet is one of the most popular semi-precious gems.  If you love this ring as much as I do, give us a call and make it yours for just $825.00.

“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 83

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and the Latest Things

This week, we’re going to do something that we don’t do nearly enough…  we’re bragging on one of our favorite employees.  Having been with us for 2.5 years, Debbie is still the new kid on the block.  She’s been team Joden since day one…  she is the first bench jeweler that we’ve had who is as enthusiastic about conversion jewelry as we are!  Inspired by trends in vintage jewelry, we began designing and creating upcycled jewelry pieces seven or eight years ago.  These tiny treasures quickly became favorites with our customers.  Since then, we have continued to design new and innovative ways to re-imagine vintage pieces.  Not only has Debbie tackled all of our whimsical ideas – she’s has also fabricated some visions of her own.  This week’s piece is truly special.  

It began its life as a bar pin in the late 1800’s.  Composed from the complimentary tones of 18-karat green, rose and yellow gold, this brooch showcased simple elegance.  One softly curved branch measuring approximately 1.5 across was accented with a pair of curled green gold leaves and a three-dimensional flower in the center.  Lovely as it was, this beauty wasn’t selling.  In fact, it wasn’t even getting looked at.  

It had good bones – and could be made into something more relevant than a brooch.  After a meeting with Dana – we agreed.  This was going to be our next victim…  perhaps even a work of genius.  Peep the before version, shown above.  Once the decision was made, we left it in Debbie’s expert hands.  The only instruction was to make it into a ring.  

And boy did she deliver!  Pairing elements of the antique brooch with a 14-karat yellow gold discarded shank, Debbie made this ring!  In the eyes and hands of an artist, the curves of the leaves were carefully fitted to the bypass shank.  The flower was nestled between the two leaves and Voila!; a darling ring was born.  I love everything about it…  it’s light and comfortable to wear.  The flowers and leaves span the top of the finger leaving a plain, solid shank in the back for easy wear-ability.  

An Old Mine cut diamond sits in the center of the petals.  Held in place by five claw prongs, this gem weighs approximately .08 carat.  It adds just a hint of sparkle within the matte-finished flower petals.  So, please allow us to boast about our girl, Debbie.  She is the reason and artistic talent that keeps our conversion case filled to the top with charming creations.  Priced at just $675, this conversion ring is available in our showroom now.  Stop by and check it out for yourself; and say “Hi!” to Debbie while you’re here.

“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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