Hot or Not – Volume 17

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Curious Things

We’re back with another edition of “Hot or Not” – I love this unique adaptation of our regular blog.  It’s always interesting to see all the different opinions on a particularly unusual piece of jewelry.  The ring I chose this time STILL has me on the fence.  Based on my current likes, this ring should be a definite “no”… but there’s just something about it.  I keep going back to it. 

Made from 18-karat white gold, this band measures almost half an inch in width!  On my hand, it makes a bold statement.  Not just wide, but also thick, the ring has some unique azures (cut-outs on the inside of a ring used for cleaning); there are tiny star, crescent moon, and heart-shaped openings.  These small apertures continue three-quarters of the way around the inside, stopping only to leave a space for three hallmarks… one is not legible.  The remaining two indicate the fineness of the gold (18-karat) and the designer – Valente.  A fine Italian maker, they opened their doors in 1953 and quickly gained popularity.  

The outside of the band is just as unexpected as the inside.  Centered on the top half of the ring are a series of three identical hearts.  Each one features a Swiss blue topaz in the center.  This topaz trio has a combined weight of approximately 1.00 carat.  Surrounding each heart is a halo of round brilliant diamonds.  In total there are forty-eight stones that have a combined weight of .75 carat. 

Heart jewelry isn’t something that I typically go for…  but in the past couple of years, I have found more and more heart pieces that appeal to me.  Maybe I’m becoming more sentimental the older I get.  In addition, blue topaz is not one of my favorite gemstones AND I’ve definitely been feeling all the yellow gold vibes lately.  But there’s something about the combination of the white gold, blue topaz and the heart shapes. 

Just before Dana shot these pictures, we put the band in the shop for some TLC.  Our jeweler (Debbie) worked her magic and restored the soft satin finish to the white gold surface.  It’s amazing what a little love and a mini-spa day can do for a piece of jewelry.  Looking like new again, this ring was shiny clean and ready to go.  Fortunately – or perhaps unfortunately for me – this band is a finger size 10.  It’s too big for any of my fingers, and cannot be sized.  Moderately priced at $1,800.00 and equally suited for a woman or a man; this designer ring still has me asking the ultimate question.  Is it hot?  Or not?  

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

Joe’s Special Box – Volume 41

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

After nearly 50 years in business, Joe still handpicks each piece that makes its way into the dazzling array of gems and baubles filling the showcases at Joden.  From the finest antiques to brand new trends, Joe has an undeniable eye for style.  Just the other day, a package arrived with a few new bits for holiday shoppers… a charming stack of colorful eternity bands, a wide openwork diamond ring, and this…

Oh.  My.  Gee.  This striking beauty was zipped into a tiny clear plastic bag nestled among a dozen other pieces strewn across the white sorting pad on Joe’s desk.  Casually resting between random doodles and scribbled notes, there it was… a blue topaz and diamond dreamboat.  

An elongated emerald cut Swiss Blue Topaz sits parallel with the length of your finger in this 14 karat white gold stunner.  This bright stone is accented by a delicate halo of round brilliant diamonds and a pair of straight baguette cut diamonds that flank the center stone.  More round diamonds wink from each shoulder.  It positively screams classic elegance.  It’s hard to believe that this is a modern manufactured piece.  It’s even harder to believe that it sells for just $800!  

This beauty won’t last long…  in fact, I bet it doesn’t last the week.  As soon as I take it off my hand and put it in the showcase, that is! 

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

Photos and writing by Carrie Martin

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