Silver on gold Archive

Joe’s Special Box Meets Pick of the Week – Volume 67

February 10, 2025 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and A Collector’s Things

Oftentimes, we acquire a piece that is reminiscent of something we already have; not like twins separated at birth, more like cousins. There’s a strong family resemblance, and they definitely work well together but also offer their own unique personality and charm. A couple of months ago, the loveliest pair of earrings became part of our antique and estate collection.

Made from a glorious pairing of low-karat gold and silver, these earrings dangle enchantingly from the ear. A dainty white pearl is affixed to the top of the post. (The post itself is modern, made from 14-karat yellow gold. A fair assessment would be that the earrings were originally non-pieced and were converted at a later date. The remainder of the earrings is authentic and original.) Just below the pearl is a stem of four rose cut diamonds, each one in a collet setting.

Finally, my favorite portion of the earrings is the small flower at the base. I’m a sucker for daisies – and this is no exception. Sixteen rose cut diamonds have been expertly fitted into the eight petals that surround the natural pearl center. A subtle patina has added a slight color to the surface of the metal, allowing the diamonds to pop. Made near the 1860’s, these ethereal beauties are early Victorian. The forty rose-cut diamonds have a combined weight of approximately .40 carat and offer the perfect amount of sparkle. Dancing enchantingly from each ear, these earrings are available for $1500.00.

As soon as I saw the earrings, my mind instantly flashed back to another early Victorian flower. Featured in a blog a few years ago, this silver and gold beauty is also covered in rose-cut diamonds… forty-eight of them, in fact. Sparkling with every turn, they’re prong-set into two graduated rows of petals. These primitively cut gems offer 2.00 carats of brilliance. I love the rich, dark patina that has developed on the surface of the silver. It’s the ideal complement to the bright, white diamonds. The final touch is a singular creamy white pearl nestled in the center of the blossom.

The pin stem has a threaded mechanism that attaches it to the back of the flower. Removable features like this often indicate that the piece was once able to be worn in multiple ways. Perhaps the flower threaded onto a pendant, or even a ring. It’s a mystery that can never be solved. This brooch has been on our site for quite a while, priced at $3,500.00. Today, we’re changing that. As a Pick of the Week, we are now offering it for just $2,500 – a savings of $1,000.00!

These two pieces aren’t identically matched. Each one has details that make it special and each one is lovely in its own rite… but together, they’re magical. With today’s price drop, you can make BOTH pieces yours for just $4,000.00 – it’s a deal too good to pass up.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photography by Dana Jerpe

Blurred Lines

March 18, 2022 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Cryptic Things

Victorian, Edwardian or somewhere in between? While there have been years assigned to each era, it’s not always possible to look at the artifacts and relics and pin a precise period upon each one. More often than not, the lines are blurred… and the styles blend together in the most beautiful ways.

Once a brooch, this conversion necklace is made from a combination of 14 karat yellow gold and silver. The warm tone of the gold forms the base of the piece although it is only visible from the back. From the front, the look is monochromatic. A light patina is the only detectable hint of darkness. The unique blending of metals is characteristic of both Victorian and Edwardian. In the 1800’s, the feature was created by layering silver over gold – but by the very early 20th century, the introduction of platinum both elevated and refined the concept.

Generally speaking, silver-topped gold indicates Victorian while platinum-topped gold most often suggests Edwardian – although it isn’t always black and white. A lovely array of swirling lines intersect to create the frame. Seven Old Mine Cut diamonds have been bezel set in the heart of the piece. These stones have a combined weight of approximately 1.00 carat. The lip of each collet (or bezel) features a precise row of tiny beads known as milgrain. This detail would become a trademark of the Edwardian era.

Decorating the vines are ten small leaf-like settings, each one containing a bright rose cut diamond. Eighteen of these primitively faceted stones are sprinkled throughout the piece and offer an additional .18 carat of sparkle. The most unusual detail of this design are the five briolette cut gems that dangle from the bottom edge. Nearly colorless, these beauties could easily be mistaken for diamonds – however, they’re not. The faint blue stones are actually aquamarines… the birthstone for March!

Delicately detailed from top to bottom, this pendant combines the best that the Victorian and Edwardian eras had to offer. Priced at just $2,250.00 – this conversion necklace is new to the Joden site and simply too good to resist. But you don’t have to take my word for it, check it out for yourself.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

What’s New – Volume 15

February 8, 2022February 7, 2022 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and The Latest Things

A visual treat for the eyes, this week’s find is an Edwardian lovers dream. I hardly know where to look first; filled with amazing details, this pendant is everything. I am drawn to it, like a honeybee to a flower.

An intricate hexagonal honeycomb pattern fills the entire background of the softly scalloped circle pendant. This hand-pierced pattern uses a soft yellow gold base topped with a layer of silver. The upper portion features a rich patina that speaks to the age of the piece; it’s a true antique, over 100 years old.

The rippled border is accented by tiny beaded edges, this technique (known as milgrain) is prevalent in Edwardian jewelry. Twenty-four diamonds of both Old Mine and rose cut styles envelop the outside perimeter. One Old European cut diamond that weighs approximately .35 carat is bezel set in the center. Surrounding that diamond is a botanical garland of flowers and leaves. Like the border, each of these elements are highlighted by milgrain edges and sparkling diamond trim. There are sixty-one diamonds that have a combined weight of .85 carat.

Measuring 1.25 inches in diameter, this vintage find is the perfect size, offering physical presence as well as delicate and refined beauty. Moderately priced at $4,350.00 – it’s a new find on our website. Buzz on over and check it out for yourself.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

Baubles, Bling and A Collector’s Things

Baubles, Bling and Cryptic Things

Baubles, Bling, and The Latest Things

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