Signature Series – Volume 1

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Quality Things

In our never-ending quest to find fresh pieces for social media and the website, Dana and I dig through hundreds of pieces.  We get ridiculously excited over new lots of estate jewelry and can’t wait to show each other all the best bits.  When something catches my eye, the first thing I do is go over it from top to bottom.  Loupe in hand, I eyeball every inch of it… are there any missing stones?  Does it need prong work?  Do the finishes and textures need touched up?  Is the karat weight of the gold stamped on the metal? 

Quality isn’t just something that you see with your eyes, you also feel it with your hands.  After nearly twenty years in the business, when you hold an exceptional piece in your hands, you just sense it.  You know.  Just last week, I picked up this seemingly simple ring.  

I was struck by the color of the emerald.  My first thought was “must be a synthetic stone”.  As I brought it up to my eye, my curiosity was peaked.  Under the magnification of my loupe, I could see a couple tiny marks within the bright green gemstone.  After showing it to Jay, he assured me that the emerald is genuine – and it’s a stunner.  The deep green color of the stone combined with the clean clarity grade is everything you want in an emerald.  It weighs approximately 1.01 carat.  Winking from each side of this stone are a pair of round brilliant diamonds that have a total weight of .10 carat.  

Looking inside the ring, it all becomes clear.  Right beside the 14K is a crisp maker’s mark… “BaumF”.  This stamp is the signature of a popular Mid Century Modern designer Baumstein and Feder.  The New York firm reigned from the 1940’s-1980’s, they were known for superior quality and spectacular gemstones.  Supreme quality is the mark of our signature series, each piece crafted by a well-known designer.  This beauty is on our site for $3,150.00.  Click on over to our site to see what all the fuss is about.

“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 25

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and The Latest Things

I have always associated the name Krementz with costume jewelry.  During my twenty years in the business, I must have opened hundreds of little hinged boxes of cufflinks, collar buttons and other accessories for men.  Carefully inscribed inside many of these boxes in gold foil letters is the name “Krementz”.  For 147 years, this family-owned business did more than survive… they thrived.  It was originally founded in 1866 by George Krementz and a cousin; over the years, the company passed down through generation after generation of skilled artisans.  Each one as talented and savvy as the ones that came before.

During their history, however, this iconic brand made more than men’s accoutrements, they also created some of the dreamiest Art Nouveal enamels as well as many other fine jewels for women.  This latest edition to our antique jewelry department is a wonderful example.

14 karat yellow gold lines intersect and cross over each other in this dainty necklace.  Made near the turn of the century, it is classic Art Nouveau at its finest.  Pastel enamels in shades of green, white and pink cover the delicate leaves that decorate this miniature masterpiece.  Tiny seed pearls are nestled into the juncture of each line while a unusual freshwater pearl dangles from the base.  A singular diamond marks the center of the piece.  

Botanical beauty abounds in this dainty darling.  Priced at $1,975.00 – this signed “Krementz” necklace is available on our website.  The legendary company closed their doors forever in 2012.  Make this piece of wearable history yours today.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

Make A Wish

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Lucky Things

With a spiritual meaning like “light of God,” it’s no surprise that dragonflies are popping up everywhere…  these unique insects are featured on home goods like pottery and paintings.  They’re a popular choice for garden ornaments and outdoor decor.  They’re also a favorite theme in jewelry…  not only in modern pieces either.  These colorful beauties have been beloved by jewelers and artisans since the late 1800’s.  

Their lifespan is quite short, just 7-56 days.  The dragonfly has become a symbol for those grieving the loss of a loved one.  Representing rebirth and transformation, the flying insect is a strong fast flier identified by two pair of large translucent wings, an elongated body and bulging compound eyes.  Ethereal and mystifying, the dragonfly can often be found near water.  Fishermen consider them a sign of good luck – if there are plenty of dragonflies, there will also be plenty of fish.  

By a stroke of luck, this striking jewel landed in our estate department.  A modern creation of 18 karat white gold, he can be worn as a pin or pendant.  True to life, our dragonfly also has a pair of fore wings and a pair of hind wings.  Intricate wire work gives them an authentic transparent appearance while 114 round brilliant diamonds make them glitter from every angle.  These diamonds have a combined weight of 2.00 carats.  The large eyes and the articulated and mechanical body are made from bright blue sapphires.  These fourteen gemstones have a total weight of 8.00 carats.  

The pin stem is set at an angle, allowing it to hide cleverly behind the wide expanse of the wings.  Even when worn around the neck, the pin stem is completely hidden from view – a genius design.  As you can see by the photos, this gorgeous guy is sizable, measuring 3.75 inches from left to right and also 3.00 inches from top to bottom.  

Ancient folklore predicts that if you see a dragonfly and make a wish, it will come true.  Priced at $4,450.00 – this remarkable piece is available on our site.  Even if you haven’t seen a dragonfly lately, you can turn your own wish into reality by hopping over to our site and making it yours today.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

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