Joe’s Special Box – Volume 59

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

I can’t resist a piece that tells a story.  I’m not sure how this tale began…  perhaps with “Once upon a time” or maybe even “Long ago”.  There’s no way to be sure.  What I do know is how it ended…  “LLewellin died March 30th, 1874.”  These words are hand engraved on the outside of this Victorian mourning ring.

But LLewellin was only half of the story.  Inside the ring are the words “Martha Warriner Megler died.  August 21, 1867.” 

As for the beginning and middle of this romantic saga, I can only imagine.  Perhaps it was a long and happy marriage or perhaps they were star-crossed lovers.  Maybe Llewellin and Martha had children and one of them comissioned the making of this memento… a 15 karat rosy gold English ring set with an oval banded agate.  This stone is nestled in a textured halo of vertical raised lines while a pair of enameled flowers adorn the shoulders of the piece.  The inside of this ring is silky smooth – it’s a comfort, both to wear and remember.  I miss the old traditions, like mourning jewelry.  After you’re gone, what story will your jewelry tell?  Visit us at Joden where our pieces are the heirlooms of your future.  

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

Ain’t Nothing But A Rock Hound

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Opal Things

Opal is one of the most popular of all gemstones.  The astonishing color palette captivates all who see it.  I am drawn more to black opals than white…  I dig those rare gems with strong cerulean body tones and bright flashes of emerald green and hints of crimson red.  As soon as I laid eyes on this bracelet, I knew I had to share it with you.  

This stunner is made from thirty individual pieces of boulder opal weighing approximately fifty carats total.  Each free-form stone is prong-set into this silver and 18 karat yellow gold bracelet; a subtle setting is the ideal complement to the vibrant opals, it allows their natural beauty to really shine.  

Boulder opal is one of the most valuable types, second only to black opal.  It is only mined in Queensland, Australia.  First found in 1870, this vivid gem forms in the veins and fissures of ironstone boulders.  When it is mined and cut from the boulder, a small portion of the ironstone remains on the back of the opal…  hence the name – boulder opal.  To maximize the weight of the stone and minimize the loss, this unique specimen is nearly always cut in irregular shapes like the ones in our bracelet.

The clasp features thirty round brilliant diamonds set in six rows with five stones each.  These little sparklers have a combined weight of .20 carats.  There’s no question, the stars of this show are those opals!  The play of color is extraordinary.  An array of deep blue hues blend harmoniously with dynamic pops of green and red.  It’s like fireworks on the Fourth of July…  truly awe-inspiring. 

Be sure to shop our Facebook store where this piece is available for $2,480.00.  While you’re there, like our page and follow us on Instagram!  

You can go to Facebook and look, then come to Joden and touch.

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

Joe’s Special Box – Volume 58

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

 

Not all the treasures at Joden are hidden in Joe’s Special Box, in fact, our crowning glory is in the store for all to see.  We have one of the largest collections of the work of Carlo Giuliano in the country.  Giuliano was the favored jeweler to Queen Victoria.  His elaborately enameled creations are widely considered to be some of the finest pieces in all of jewelry history.  At Joden, we are curators of the past – cultivating passion for this lost art.  

Most of the exceptional examples from the life and work of Carlo Giuliano feature striking enamel patterns – most notably crisp black and white designs like the one shown here.  Careful consideration should be given to how very precise the tiny dots are…  not once do they fade into the white background.  Never before and never again was this process able to be duplicated – it is exclusive to the Giuliano firm. 

When this bracelet made it’s way into our store last week, every one of us was certain it was Giuliano.  We searched every link for the classic Giuliano trademark…  never to find it.  There is not one single hallmark anywhere to be found on this Art Nouveau beauty.  Is it un-signed Giuliano?  Joe’s theory is that it was made by an apprentice…  a young artist learning the art of the master.  In any case, this bracelet is in pristine condition and is absolutely stunning.  It’s available now for $8800.00.

“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!