Millenial Mavens

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and  Non-traditional Rings

In my work world, we talk engagement rings on the daily…  We’re a team.  We share stories, offer advice, and often dissect current trends.  This year has brought an entirely new engagement adventure…  millennials want to savor the experience (while simultaneously documenting it on social media, of course) and ultimately find a ring as unique as their relationship. 

Today’s couples are choosing vintage.  They want mixed metals, rose gold and yellow gold often paired with colored stones.  2018 is all about floral motifs, shapes, and distinctive rings. 

This pairing is the absolute limit of style and individuality!  First, from the estate of Tamara Toumanova, is this 14 karat gold flower ring.  The curved rose gold petals bloom on your finger while the stem and leaves wrap around to form the band.  Four round diamonds twinkle from inside.  Wear it alone, or stack it with this charming eternity band.  Crafted from 14 karat yellow gold, eleven tiny flowers circle the band, each with a single-cut diamond center.  Perfect for those with an eye for exceptional elegance.

Some couples are opting to forego the engagement ring altogether, preferring instead to celebrate their union with a singular band.  The antique and estate jewelry at Joden offers hundreds of choices…  whether you have a vintage vision in mind or something sleek and modern, our selection will not disappoint.  Here are a few of my favorites…  enamel flowers, matte-finish modernism, and fabled moonstones – each one a tiny treasure in its own right.  Stop in, drop me a line (carrie@joden.com), or call me for details and pricing! 

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Shelly Isacco

A Revival

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Rejuvenated Things

Four months…  that’s how long it’s been since I sat down to share a story, a treasure, or a lovely little trinket with you.  I’m excited to be back – I feel rejuvenated! 

In business and in life, a new year often inspires (or requires) us to do inventory – whether it be a mental accounting of our own day to day habits or an actual itemization of our assets and possessions.  Joden is no exception.  The month of January (and often February) has us going over every single piece of jewelry…  Every.  Single.  Piece.

The most mundane part – the absolute worst part – of inventory is writing new tags.  Those tiny gold tags that are attached to each item.  I hate writing tags.  A lot.  I prolong it.  I ask my coworkers to write them for me.  Anything for a distraction.  My favorite form of procrastination is trying on jewels – especially rings!  I like to stack them on my left hand so that I can admire them while writing those darn little tags! 

That’s exactly how I discovered these beauties.  I was digging through a tray of vintage rings (not writing tags!) and there they were.  Just waiting for me.  Imagine this pile of rose gold goodness stacked on each finger, three or four rings high – maybe a midi band (a charming little ring worn between your top two knuckles) or two… Victorian treasures too good to resist!  These antique bands were all the rage during the 1880’s and 1890’s.  Sometimes referred to as “Cigar Bands”, they feature deeply engraved patterns in an eclectic mix of styles. 

There are flowers and leaves, tiny four-leaf clovers, lacey edges, and scrolled lines.  Some are gold-filled while others are crafted from 10 or 14 karat.  Each one is over 150 years old – some still have initials and wedding dates carefully inscribed inside.  I love them all…  especially the fourth one from the top.  It’s mine.  I wear it on the middle finger of my left hand.  Its soft rosy glow is a perfect complement to the cool platinum and buttery 18 karat yellow gold of my wedding rings (shown below).

They are ideal wedding bands, right-hand rings, middle and index finger rings.  They’re adorable midi rings, and perfect for everyday wear.  Each is unique with a style all its own.  Come visit me at Joden – you’ll be as enchanted as I am!

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Shelly Isacco

On Pointe

Joden Girl

Baubles and Bling from a Prima Ballerina

From the museum case to the cardboard boxes (Think Inside the Box)…  the question on everyone’s mind is the same – “Where do you get your jewelry?”  There isn’t just one answer, in fact, there are many…  we buy from antique dealers, auctions and estate sales, and from private parties.  We buy from traveling salesman and brokers.  We have clients in 26 states and six countries in Europe.  The jewelry pours through the door every single day. 

If “Where do you get your jewelry?” is the most popular question, the next most popular inquiry is “Do you know who wore this?”  The answer to that question is simple – “No.”  We almost never know who owned the fabulous pieces in our cases…  almost.  Every once in a long while, we are able to purchase pieces with provenance. 

 

As you may have guessed, the tiny (size 2) ring above was owned by Tamara; Tamara Toumanova that is.  She was known as “The Black Pearl of the Russian Ballet” – referring not just to her talent and technique, but also to her beauty.  Her glossy raven-wing hair and large dark eyes charmed choreographers and audiences alike.  Imagine the “T-A-M-A-R-A” letters  of this 18 karat white gold and amethyst ring twinkling in the lights as she spun on the stage. 

Tamara made her debut at the age of 10, starring in numerous ballets in Europe and the United States.  Later, she danced the role of the black swan in Swan Lake.  She toured the world with her mother for more than thirty years, during which time she made her screen debut in “Days of Glory” with Gregory Peck.  Later that same year, she married the film’s producer, Casey Robinson. 

  

Perhaps this silver and rose gold compact, signed “Boucheron, Paris” was a gift from her husband.  This lovely piece depicts a pair of lovebirds amid a sea of leaves with five ruby accents.  Priced at $3500, this stunning piece would definitely bring a bit of Old Hollywood glamour to your morning make-up routine!

This ring is my favorite piece from the estate.  Made from 18 karat rose gold, this modern beauty features a pair of emerald cut colored stones – one green beryl and one pink kunzite.  Like it’s previous owner, this ring is classically beautiful.  The bold lines and soft color speak for themselves – no additional ornamentation or decoration needed.  Priced at $3000 – this ring is our Prima Ballerina.  Don’t miss these incredible finds – available exclusively at Joden Jewelers. 

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Shelly Isacco

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