Joe’s Special Box – Volume 163

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Thing

In the era of cinching in waists with a whalebone corsets tight enough to break ribs, it should come as no surprise that Victorian ladies were crazy about navette rings.  This French term translates to “little boat” – a reference to the shape of a small water vessel.  The shape in question is an elongated marquise.  It was one of the most popular style of the 1800’s, and for good reason.  These rings are absolutely charming.  Some of the larger navette rings stretched from knuckle to knuckle, while others were the perfect size for a petite pinky.  

These elegant beauties frequently boasted multiple small gemstones… each one was more lovely than the last.  Some were bedazzled in nothing but Old Mine Cut diamonds – glittering from top to bottom.  Others may have had a small ruby, emerald, or sapphire in the center of all those diamonds.  I’ve even seen a few that were decked out in seed pearls and turquoise for a quieter appeal.  The shape (thought to elongate the finger) was ultrafeminine and oh-so-elegant.

This pretty little thing arrived just in time to capture our hearts.  Made from 14-karat rosy gold, this ring measures 5/8 of an inch from tip to tip.  Three old cut rubies line the center.  Showcasing a bright raspberry tone, these rubies have a combined weight of .50 carat.  Surrounding those gems are sixteen Old Mine cut diamonds.  Forming a perfect oval halo, these diamonds have a combined weight of .50 carat.  Old Mine Cut diamonds were known to sparkle the most in candlelight; they were ideal for every ball and event of the season. 

Simply sweet and so petite, this ring is a finger size 3.  Not to worry – it can be sized!  Made more than a century ago, this ring is in great condition.  It’s available for just $1,050.00.  Drop by and check it out!

“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 159

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

Very few pieces of jewelry sell as quickly as sweet little antique rings.  At our store, the best ones can almost always be found in Joe’s Special Box.  Like a squirrel storing nuts for the winter, Joe hoards these charming beauties for the perfect person.  Although the box resides in his office, if I’m clever, I can peak through from time to time.  And perhaps nab a ring or two…

This dainty darling was too good to leave in a box!  Made near the end of the 1800’s in the Victorian era, this ring features a round turquoise in the center.  Boasting the hue of a robin’s egg, this small gem is held in place with six prongs.  Surrounding the center stone and bringing the perfect amount of sparkle to this vintage ring are six old cut diamonds.  Also prong set, these diamonds are separated by little gold bars.  

The shoulders of the ring are still original and feature lovely sculpted swirls and a hint of milgrain beading.  When I looked inside the ring with my loupe, I knew immediately that the shank of the ring had been replaced.  A singular engraved letter remains… an H, and then nothing.  Whoever’s name or initials that were once memorialized inside this ring are gone.  And while the logical part of my brain is delighted that someone saved what they could of this treasured antique, my sentimental side mourns the loss of the one who once wore it.  

Made from 9-karat rosy gold, this ring is the latest addition to our antique department.  It’s also a new arrival on our website.  Hop on over and make it yours for just $575.00.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photography 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

Click To Call!