Joe’s Special Box – Volume 157

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

This week, I am sharing an old favorite.  I can’t remember when we acquired this lovely pendant, I can only say that I can’t remember a time when it wasn’t here.  Much like the platinum and gold wires that are woven together to form the chain, this necklace is woven into the fiber of Joden Jewelers.  It’s been photographed, and I believe it has made it’s way around the store more than once… traveling from case to case.  Some time ago, it landed in Joe’s office.  Nearly forgotten, it’s slung across the top of a black velvet bust; pushed back against the wall, it’s barely noticeable at all… a fact that breaks my heart just as little as it’s such a beautiful necklace.

Made near the 1870’s from a blended combination of low-karat gold and silver.  A stunning patina covers every nook and cranny – deep and dark, the tarnish has taken on an iridescent quality that can only develop over years, decades and even centuries.  I can only imagine the secrets it holds – of romantic rendezvous, stolen kisses and tender moments.  An east/west oriented navette-shape creates the frame of the pendant.  Twenty individual bezels are spaced at regular intervals, each one set with an old cut diamond.  Dainty milgrain beading decorates the edge of each bezel.  

 

Delicate and dainty, a looped bow decorates the outermost tips.  The leaflike tails of the bows flank a singular flower cluster center.  The largest diamond in the necklace (an Old Mine Cut) is completely surrounded by a tiny diamond halo.  To complete the look, a series of three dangles swing enchantingly from the bottom of the pendant while three more old cut diamonds add a bit of sparkle to the bail.  Combined, there are eighty-six diamonds that have a total weight of 2.00 carats.  The pendant itself hangs from a fifteen-inch bicolor link chain.  Elongated platinum links alternate with trios of small oval rings.  Although it is probably not the original chain, it is the perfect companion to this mid-Victorian beauty.  

At least once a day, I find myself telling customers to wear their jewelry – don’t leave it sit in a box or the safe.  Every person involved – from the jeweler who made it to the person who gave it – in giving a jewelry gift intends for it to be worn.  They want to see you wearing it and enjoying it.  This sweet necklace hasn’t been worn in a very long time, it’s sad to see such artistry go to waste.  Moderately priced at $3,980.00, this necklace can bring joy to someone in your life for another 150 years.

“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 – Volume 2

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

Simply stunning.  Truly.  This ring, hand-fabricated in the 1870’s, is a classic example of a Mid Victorian engagement ring.  It features all the ear-marks of the Grand Period…

  • Silver was discovered in Virginia City, Nevada in 1860.  It was very popular during the mid-1800’s and was often combined with low karat gold.  Here, the darkened silver overlays a 14 karat gold base. 
  • Two of the most utilized diamond cuts were Old Mine Cuts and Rose Cuts – this beauty has both.  Three Old Mine Cut diamonds (.50 carat total) create the center.  They are surrounded by a scalloped halo of twenty-four rose cut diamonds (.25 carat total).  These bright white sparklers twinkle with every turn of your hand.
  • The Old Mine Cut diamonds are held in place with “claw” prongs – a new style for the period.

My favorite detail of this ring has taken nearly 150 years to develop.  Just look at the gorgeous patina on the band of the ring!  The oxidation of this piece brings it to life, showcasing each design element – from the split shoulder to the hand-carved lines.  It’s absolute Victorian perfection. 

Priced at just $2000, this ring is a steal – a true antique in pristine condition.  Take our heirloom and make it yours.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Shelly Isacco

True Confessions

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Sapphire Rings

I have a confession to make…  I love jewelry.  I love looking at it, I love talking about it, I love writing about it.  However – I don’t really wear it, especially lately.  It lays in piles all over our house…  four bangles and a diamond band rest beside the toaster in the kitchen.  There’s a pair of oversize silver hoops and a long necklace on the end table in the living room.  The nightstand beside my bed is littered with bobby pins, a tub of Nivea crème, and at least four pair of discarded earrings.  The older I get, the more I want to simplify my life.  Less accessories just seems easier.  There is no decision to make.  Slip my diamond studs into my ears, put on my engagement ring and wedding band, and done.  On the weekends, I only wear my wedding band.  I love the way it looks on finger all by itself.  Simple and elegant. 

I love jewelry that means something…  Personal jewelry.  The significance of my wedding rings is obvious.  My diamond earrings were a gift from my husband at a time when we really couldn’t afford luxuries.  And yet, there they were, under our Christmas tree.  Because of that, I treasure them all the more.  I’m sure that in the years to come, I will acquire another piece or two of jewelry.  I have always wanted a sapphire ring.  Nothing over the top.  Just simple and elegant. 

I love tiny details about each of the rings pictured above.  They are all Victorian rings from the late 1800’s.  The style of jewelry had become much lighter than the Mid-Victorian era.  Rings were often small with an open airy feel. 

This classic piece features an oval sapphire surrounded by an Old European Cut diamond halo.  The sapphire weighs 1.50 carats with .30 carats of diamonds.  Priced at just $1500, it’s perfect for every day wear.

 

This is my favorite.  It can easily be worn as a right hand ring or an alternative to the traditional diamond engagement ring.  The small round sapphire is a sublime shade of cornflower blue encircled by nine Old Mine Cut diamonds, each facet twinkling in the light.  I love the scrollwork that forms the prongs and graces the shoulders of this tiny enchantress.  Check it out on our site.  At $2500, it’s irresistible!

 

What’s not to love about this band style ring set with three cushion-shaped sapphires, two natural pearls, and eight rose cut diamonds?  Called a carved half hoop ring for the intricate gallery work that creates the prongs, this style was popular from the mid to late 1800’s.  It’s also available on our website, priced at only $1950.00. 

All three of these rings are simple and elegant.  I would happily  abandon any right hand ring I have for one of these antique gems.  Perhaps you would too!

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Carla Leight and Shelly Isacco

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