Joden Archive | Page 8 | Joden Jewelers

Be Still My Heart

September 9, 2023November 18, 2016 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Classic Things

Looking out the front window from my desk, the sun is blazing in the November sky. People are walking downtown in short sleeves, they’re riding in their cars with the windows down. It’s almost impossible to believe that the holidays are right around the corner, but nevertheless – it’s true. The Christmas shopping season is upon us. Here, at Joden, the last week has been filled with early birds… those customers who know exactly what they want and are here to get it.

The remaining four weeks will bring many more customers. Most are hoping to be inspired by the unique treasures that Joden is known for – seed pearl trimmed Victorian rings, delicate lingerie necklaces, and Art Deco gems of every kind.

During the last couple days of shopping, customers will be here for the classics – diamond studs, gold necklaces, sapphire rings… and the inevitable – hearts. Diamond hearts, ruby hearts, and heart lockets. Hearts, hearts, hearts! Over the years, I have seen hundreds of pieces of heart jewelry; each time I am left with the same feeling. Blah. I don’t like hearts. They just aren’t my thing. Hearts strike me as ordinary. Nothing special.

Let me be the first to say it. I love it when Joden proves me wrong! Recently, we acquired this wonderful heart-shaped locket, circa 1830.

This piece was handcrafted at the end of the Georgian Period and the beginning of the Victorian Period. It’s encrusted with over one hundred rose cut garnets and is accented by a sixteen inch necklace that is comprised of fifty-six bezel set garnets.

Opening the locket reveals a piece of yellowed silk still contained inside.

I love every single aspect of this piece… it is absolutely charming. At nearly 200 years old, this necklace would be the perfect Christmas gift for anyone… even a Joden Girl.

You can go to our website and look, or you can come to Joden and touch.

Written by Carrie Martin

Pinktober

September 9, 2023October 19, 2016 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Pink Things

This morning – in the midst of packing backpacks, finding homework, and pouring bowls of cereal – I quickly changed around the laundry to save myself some time later. I pulled the clothes from the dryer; a black and gold Grove City Eagles jersey with the #2 on it, shiny black pants, and a pair of bright pink socks… everything my oldest son will need to dress for his game tomorrow. He also proudly adds his pink arm bands and adheres strips of pink tape to everything from his visor to his cleats. If it were January or any other month of the year, he wouldn’t even consider wearing pink – but this month, he and his teammates honor all those who have battled breast cancer.

That got me thinking pink, in every variety… pink gold, sparkling pink gemstones, and soft pink enamels. Pink, pink, pink!

These three pieces are just a couple of examples of the unique pink jewels we have in our online store; from a pair of David Yurman pink tourmaline earrings to a modern Rhodonite ring. There are infinitely more choices in our store at 144 South Broad Street. So, whether you are wearing pink for yourself or in honor of someone else, Joden is the place to get it!

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Shelly Isacco

Some Like It Scot

September 9, 2023September 28, 2016 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Scottish Things

About fifteen years ago, I read a book called “Outlander” – written by Diana Gabaldon. (I highly recommend it to any and all!) It changed my life. Not only did I fall in love with the series, but I also fell in love with all things Scottish – naturally, that included the jewelry.

Most of the Scottish pieces that we have at Joden are brooches, like the one pictured below.

This type of jewelry is often referred to as “Scottish Pebble Jewelry” – dubbed as such by Queen Victoria. She and Prince Albert visited Scotland for the first time in 1842. They were enchanted by the beautiful country. After returning home, Victoria began gifting friends and family alike with tartans and Highland style gifts – primarily jewelry. Most of this jewelry was constructed of intricately carved sterling silver set with the pebbles of Scotland… also known as Agate. These colorful stones were precisely fitted to the jewels made in the shape of Celtic knots, shields, crests, and dirks.

This (pictured below) is a silver agate Dirk brooch. It was designed after a traditional dagger and sheath, and actually gives the appearance of three blades, each one accented on its hilt with a faceted round citrine. The remainder of this piece is set with Bloodstone, Red Jasper, and Montrose Lace – all forms of agate, or Scottish Pebbles. Circa 1890.

Another notable piece at Joden is this vintage Cloak pin (shown below). The head of each pin is perfectly assembled from six different colors of carved and polished agate. The two pins are then connected by a series of ten octagonal pieces of agate. Its and explosion of color and texture. Circa 1880.

Due to the huge demand, English jewelers began making pieces in the same style. Initially, they stayed true to the Scottish motif, but over time, the jewelry began to take on a distinctly English feel. The agate that was originally from Scotland was replaced with stones from other areas. And while the spirit of the jewelry remained largely the same, the quality waned. Pieces produced after WWII (like the ones pictured below), while lovely, do not exhibit the craftsmanship of the ones made during the Victorian era.

So, if you’re an Outlander fan like me, or if you love Scottish Pebble jewelry, come visit us at Joden.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Carla Leight

Baubles, Bling, and Classic Things

Baubles, Bling, and Pink Things

Baubles, Bling, and Scottish Things

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