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

Hot or Not – Volume Six

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Spotted Things

Since the 16th century, we have been smitten with the unique appearance of the dalmatian.  These clever and vivacious pups were likable companions of well-heeled gentlemen.  Famous for their stark white fur decorated with black spots, these striking canines have been coveted by a wide array of individuals from firefighters to the despicable villainess Cruella de Ville.  

America’s love affair with the playful dals (a.k.a. dalmatians) began when they became the unofficial mascot of the FDNY in the 1870’s.  Dalmatians worked well with horses and were initially utilized to clear a path for the horse-drawn fire equipment.  In the years to follow, the dalmatian would be as closely associated with the firehouse as the firetruck itself.  

In 1956, Dodie Smith penned the fictional children’s book titled “The One Hundred and One Dalmatians”.  The exciting and entertaining story detailed the lives of the newly wed Mr. and Mrs. Dearly and their pups, Pongo and Missis.  This well-known tale was adapted to a film by Disney in 1961.  It was re-released multiple times over the years including several movies, plays, and even a musical or two.  Each of these successful endeavors was due to the charming appeal of the speckled dalmatian pup.  

Made from a gemstone bearing the same name, this unusual suite has created quite a stir.  

Twenty-seven polished gemstone links form a striking lariat-style necklace.  Each individual bead has a creamy colored background decorated with dozens of brown and black spots.  This visually distinct stone is aptly named dalmatian jasper due to its likeness to the fire engine dog.  An 18-karat yellow gold toggle-style clasp brings the necklace together in the front, culminating with a rutilated quartz drop.  

Triangular in shape, the quart crystal is encapsulated within a rich golden bezel and dangles from a single rose cut diamond.  Twenty-five tiny rondelle beads separate each jasper link.  This bizarrely bold necklace is accompanied by a coordinating ring.  

Made in a disconnected bypass style, the ring is also 18-karat yellow gold.  One side features a dalmatian jasper whales tail.  The opposing side is capped with a triangular-shaped bezel-set rose cut diamond that weighs approximately .20 carat. 

There’s no question, these are some of the most unusual modern pieces in our collection.  And to be blunt, I really didn’t care for them.  The ONLY reason I gave them a second look is because of you!  You guys love strange things.  You go crazy for bizarre.  And so – I took it out of its little plastic bag and ran it through my hands…  marveling over the silky smooth feel of those speckled stones.  Then I held the rutilated quartz up to the light and was awestruck by the glistening needle-like inclusions that splayed like pick-up sticks inside the milky gem.  And then, I clasped the necklace over my stark black top and slipped the ring over the knuckle of my middle finger – I was hooked.  

This is, without a doubt, the kind of piece you have to try on.  Laying inside that blasé plastic bag, this necklace looks like nothing.  There’s no pizzazz.  It’s a brown blob.  UNTIL YOU PUT IT ON…  and then the magic happens.  Priced at just $1,700 for both pieces, I know how I feel about this inspired suite.  Now I want to know what you think… is it hot?  Or not?

Go to Facebook and look, then go to our Instagram story and vote. 

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

Joe’s Special Box – Volume 136

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

If you’ve been searching for a ring that is truly unique, look no further.  This unusual find from Joe’s Special Box dates back to the Mid-Victorian period.  Made entirely of silver, this beauty offers a lovely elongated shape that sits perfectly on the finger. 

Each of the twelve diamonds set in the ring are rose cuts.  Every one is held within an open back setting, a detail of Victorian era gems.  Earlier Georgian pieces utilized closed-back construction.  These openings allow for light to reach the diamonds and also add ease to the cleaning process.  The primitive rose cut showcases a flat back with a domed and lightly faceted top.  Said to sparkle best in candle light, this early diamond cut reached a peak of popularity when candles became readily available to everyone, not just the wealthy.  Diamond sales surged with the advances in the candle making process.  

The center rose cut is a pear-shape.  It is surrounded by a series of eleven more diamonds set in the leaf-like details of the ring.  The combined weight of all twelve stones is approximately .50 carat.  Over the past 160 years, the silver framework of the ring has tarnished to black…  this patina is the very thing that makes me love this ring.  It speaks to the age of this antique gem and although it could be cleaned, it would change the feel of the ring entirely.  Now a featured item on our website, this beauty from the mid-1860’s is available for $2,500.00.

“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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