Mourning jewelry Archive

Getting Personal with the Personnel – Volume 4

August 19, 2022 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Insider Information

At work, she’s the Thelma to my Louise, the jelly to my peanut butter… she’s my partner in crime. Her name is Dana and she’s been with the company for over seven years. Beginning as a part-time sales associate at a small local chain jewelry store and later managing a major brand store, we were lucky to steal her away. Beginning in 1996, Dana has over twenty-six years of jewelry experience; she brings an engaging personality and a wealth of knowledge to our team.

For the last four years, she and I have joined forces to maximize the internet presence of Joden Jewelers. After nearly a decade of struggling to build an online brand, Dana and I inherited a bit of a challenge. Dana is the face behind the camera. Self-taught, she is gifted with photography. Her photos are the very thing that attract people to our website and social media. Together, Dana and I have tripled our Facebook and Instagram followers. She single-handedly manages joden.com; Dana took it from a basic catalog to a true online store. With her pictures and my words – we were destined for success.

Shortly after Dana started at Joden, she discovered her love of Victorian mourning jewelry. Coming from a small family and being an only child, these nostalgic pieces connected with her sentimental side and passion to preserve the past. Her personal collection boasts several unique treasures… including the two rings and small oval pin shown here. The cushion-shaped brooch is her favorite piece at Joden. A Victorian hair locket from the late 1800’s, this charmer features a frame made from fine wirework, eight natural pearls and eight pink gems. The star of the show are the golden locks of hair intricately braided together and meticulously safe-guarded beneath the glass. This rare find is available for just $2,750.00.

On the flip side, this large Retro ring is near the bottom of Dana’s list. Made from 14-karat rose gold with a platinum top, it presents quite a formidable figure. A deep golden emerald-cut citrine sits in the center – it weighs over 35.00 carats. Trimmed with fourteen square rubies and six round diamonds, this statement ring is a bold choice. Although it is extremely well-made and superior in quality, this 1940’s knuckle duster is simply too large and overdone for Dana’s style.

Enjoy the magic of Dana’s photos every day by liking us on Facebook and following us on Instagram. Then stop by the store and introduce yourself to her… you’re going to love her as much as we do!

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

Getting Personal with the Personnel – Volume 3

August 8, 2022 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Insider Information

Meet Kayla- at just 34 years old, she is the youngest member of the Joden crew. Recommended by another employee, she joined us three years ago and it’s been full speed ahead ever since. In addition to taking care of customers, Kayla heads up our advertising department. Working closely with Joe and Jay, she puts together our billboards and magazine ads. Most recently, she tackled her largest project to date… a new brochure. Dubbing it her biggest accomplishment, Kayla has thoroughly enjoyed the process. And what a process it is! Every piece featured in our full-color double-sided brochure is hand-selected, professionally photographed, and edited. Using an old-school “cut and paste” method, each of the eight pages is carefully assembled. Just last week, Kayla and Bryan (Owner of GFX Advertising) put the final touches on this project. We can’t wait to see it in print later this fall!

Very early on, Kayla discovered a love of authentic antique scarab jewelry. These are not carved stones, but actual petrified beetles. Captured in their natural form, these colorful creatures were often preserved by making them into jewelry. The Joden inventory boasts more than one of these unusual pieces… Kayla is shown here wearing a rare scarab fringe necklace and coordinating bracelet. Each of the sixteen bugs in the necklace is fitted to a golden frame. It provides strength to these otherwise delicate carcasses. Priced at just $3,000.00 – customers love this unique find. Recently, we acquired a similar bracelet… this simple line style bit of arm candy is set with eight scarabs, each one with closed back construction. Made from 15-karat yellow gold, it’s available for $1,950.00.

If you’re as fascinated by scarab jewelry as Kayla is, these simple pendants are just a click away. Originally part of a long necklace, each iridescent green beetle is nestled within a gold-filled frame. We separated them and added a gold-filled chain. Available in 16 or 18-inch lengths, these beauties are available on our site for just $185.00.

Although she loves the scarab jewelry, Kayla’s least favorite pieces are the Victorian hair jewelry. Whether it be a mourning ring, brooch, necklace or bracelet… these late 19th century finds feature actual human hair. Mourning jewelry from the Victorian era honored loved ones that had passed on in a beautifully permanent way. People either love these peculiar pieces or they’re creeped out by them… Kayla falls into the latter category.

The pieces showcased here among the most unusual in our antique and estate department. There are thousands of jewels from every era including Georgian, Victorian, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, Art Deco, Retro, Mid-Century and Modern. Discovering and learning about them is one of Kayla’s favorite parts of working at Joden.

Stop by our store, check out these unique finds and say “Hi!” to Kayla. And if you’re feeling mischievous, flip off the lights… Kayla is afraid of the dark!

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

Pick of the Week – Volume 31

January 21, 2021January 18, 2021 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles and Bling with Unbelievable Pricing

A tiny miniature painting… what could be more endearing? Or perhaps more scandalous! In the late 18th century, these small depictions also known as lover’s eyes began popping up in Britain. Sometimes these gems featured the eye of a child or family member… however, sometimes the eye belonged to a forbidden lover!

Lover’s eyes centered on a small painting of an eye, and perhaps an eyebrow… but nothing more. This was to keep the identity of the person secret. Many of these pieces were surrounded by a halo of natural pearls or sparkling gemstones. This incredibly intimate jewel brought to life the intense gaze of adoration. Often, a look can convey so much more than words could ever say.

These treasures are rare – it is believed that fewer than 1000 of them remain. Many of these unusual pieces are brooches… allowing them to be pinned and worn close to the heart. This particular one is a pin and a pendant; it showcases a blue iris with a strong arched brow. Twenty-six faceted black onyx stones surround the eye.

A hair receiver on the back of the piece is filled with an entwined lock of brown hair. These two details – the black stones and the hair receiver – make me wonder if perhaps this lover’s eye is an early piece of mourning jewelry. The pendant is accompanied by a yellow gold y-chain. Once it is clasped around the neck, the piece itself rests lower on the neck, allowing it to be concealed underneath clothing should you so desire.

This unique gem has been a part of our inventory for more than a year. Originally, it was on our site for $5,000.00. We are now offering it as a Pick of the Week – which means it will be available with new and unbelievable pricing. Now – this rare bit of history can be yours for just $2,500.00!

If you’re a collector of distinct finds, this lover’s eye is the piece for you. Click the link to make it yours today.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe and Shelly Isacco

Baubles, Bling and Insider Information

Baubles, Bling and Insider Information

Baubles and Bling with Unbelievable Pricing

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