Lovely Leaves

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Special Things

Antique diamond earrings truly sell themselves.  There’s something so enchanting about Old Mine Cut diamonds… both retail and wholesale customers are constantly requesting them.  Like snowflakes, no two Old Mine cuts are exactly the same.  Each one has its own unique appeal.  Combining several of these beauties in a pair of earrings that dance with every move is magical.

Made in the mid-1800’s, these Victorian earrings take the shape of small clusters of leaves.  The framework of these antique gems is comprised of a low-karat gold base that is topped with silver.  The surface of the silver has tarnished in the most delicious way; showcasing shades of black, gray, purple and brown, this patina is wonderfully rich.  

The twenty-six diamonds in these earrings are a combination of Old Mine cuts and rose cuts.  Together, they offer approximately .90 carat of sparkle.  Old Mine cut diamonds tend to be squarish in shape and a bit lumpy.  Much like the modern round brilliant, they also have fifty-eight facets.  The proportion is entirely different; Old Mines have small table facets, a high crown and large, open culets.  The large facets were specifically designed to sparkle under candlelight.  Cut exclusively by hand, each Old Mine cut diamond was unique and special.

Shown on the ear, the size is perfect!  Hanging about an inch from the bottom of the lobe, this style can be worn casually for daytime appeal or dressed up for evening pizzazz.  These antique beauties remain entirely authentic and original except for one tiny detail… the wires have been replaced; these are 14-karat yellow gold.  If you’ve been looking for a pair of antique diamond earrings, today is your day.  Make these lovely leaves yours for just $1,650.00.  

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photography by Dana Jerpe

Modelling by Debbie Miles

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

This or That – Volume Eight

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Filigree Things

I know, I know…  more filigree rings.  How many of these delicate darlings can there possibly be?  Over the years we have shared more than a few, it’s true.  BUT – these two are brand new to our antique & estate department and both offer unique, charming details.  I couldn’t resist the opportunity bring you something lovely AND affordable.

First, let’s chat about this one…

Made entirely of 18-karat white gold, this beauty is simply lovely.  The ring itself was constructed in the 1920’s.  The overall shape is interesting – with subtle concave areas, a sculptural structure develops.  The filigree pattern offers a underlying botanical vibe that plays nicely with the softly rounded form.  Set within an octagonal plate, the center diamond is unexpected – it’s a modern cut diamond.  Weighing approximately .45 carat, this bright gem brings all the shine.  This ring could be a marriage of an antique ring and a round brilliant diamond, it could be a remount – the possibilities are endless.  New to our shop and our site, this ring is priced right at $975.00.

Moving on to this petite princess..

Another 18-karat white gold dazzler, this little cutie is just so good.  The decoration wraps a whimsy of whorls and swirls around the slender silhouette.  Milgrain beaded edges highlight every line.  Culminating into a four-sided top, one Old Mine Cut diamond gleams from between a pair of man-made sapphires.  This diamond weighs approximately .15 carat.  It’s the crowning glory for this 1925 dream.  Also new to our site, this ring is priced at just $475.00.

Shown together on the hand, this delicate darling pairs beautifully with that dainty dreamboat.  I’m excited to offer both of them… and can’t wait to hear which you would choose.  This modern-meets-vintage vision or that sapphire-trimmed treasure?  Perhaps with pricing like this, there’s no need to choose.  Take them both!

“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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