Joden Girl Blog

Joe’s Special Box – Volume 6

April 14, 2018 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

Just when you thought nothing could be sweeter than the Victorian baby rings I shared last week… here are a precious pair of baby earrings! Perhaps you’re wondering how I know they’re baby earrings? These side views may give you a clue…

Made from 10 karat white and yellow gold in the mid 1900’s, these earrings have threaded posts that are quite a bit shorter than the standard length. In addition, the posts have been fitted with a pair of safety backs. They’re designed with a loop covering the tip of the post – preventing it from digging into a baby’s delicate skin.

I can’t get enough of these mountings! The square shape is artfully carved with scrolled lines and kite-shaped corners – the perfect setting for the pair of sparkling round brilliant diamonds winking from the center. With a total weight of .40 carats, they are ideal for daily wear.

These earrings could easily be converted to regular length posts, allowing them to be worn by anyone. They’re available on our site for just $1100.00. Take some advice from George Strait and “Baby Your Baby” or baby yourself with these little beauties today!

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Shelly Isacco

Athletic Aesthetics

April 12, 2018 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Sporting Things

Just outside the window, the sun is blazing in the sky. Finally! And tomorrow’s forecast is calling for rain. As the saying goes… April showers bring May flowers. That’s exactly the phrase that came to mind the first time I saw this sweet Art Nouveau brooch.

This cherubic fairy sitting atop a Spring daisy makes me smile. Artfully done in pastel enamel with a delicate gold frame, it’s simply perfect. Closer inspection reveals the true art of the piece.

Like many Art Nouveau designs, enameling is the star of show. It’s a process in which glass is fused to a metal surface. Glass beads (generally made from silica, quartz, borax, lead, and feldspar) are ground to a powder. Metal oxides are added to create color. The artist employed Peinture sur émail, a technique in which the colors are painted on, layer after layer. The hues with the highest flowing temperature are applied first to keep one shade from melting into another. The piece is baked after each application – sometimes firing it over twenty times! Can you see the tiny drops of rain on the flower hat as well as the ones dripping from the daisy petals? They are actually 3-dimensional, slightly raised from the surface of the painting… such remarkable attention to detail!

This photo shows where the artist signed his miniature work of art… “L Boullemier”. I googled his name immediately ( What did I do before Google?) and was delighted at what I found.

His full name was Lucien Boullemier – a semi-famous English footballer (a.k.a. soccer player, in America) turned ceramic artiste. Not finding a lot of success in his athletic career, he retired from soccer; ultimately, he followed in his father’s footsteps and began working as a designer at Mintons, Soho Pottery, and finally Maling Pottery.

He was a prolific potter, many pieces are available in the market today – however, I have been unable to find another single piece of jewelry. That makes this darling brooch quite rare. Priced at $3300 – it’s available now in our showroom. Make the most of these April showers and come see it for yourself!

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Shelly Isacco

Joe’s Special Box – Volume 5

April 7, 2018 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

A couple months ago, I shared these vintage Victorian wedding bands with you. Remember, the one on the far right with the scalloped edge is mine? Several of you dropped by to choose one for yourself. So, I know you’re going to love what I found in Joe’s Special Box this week!

These are nearly identical to the Victorian wedding bands, except for one small detail… their size!

It’s difficult to tell from this photo, but this stack is actually a grouping of tiny Victorian baby rings ranging from a size 1 to perhaps a size 3. They are the perfect size for chubby baby fingers… or midi rings for you and me!

These delicate little darlings aren’t often found in such excellent condition. Joe has amassed a small collection – but he rarely sells them. More often, they are given as gifts. Usually worn on a gold chain, it’s a beautiful keepsake, a talisman to mark the momentous journey into motherhood. Some are decorated with seed pearl trim, some have gemstone accents, while others are simply engraved. Each one is a treasure in itself.

Depending upon the rarity of the ring and the value of stones contained within, the price range of these minute minis varies from $100-$500. Wear it on a chain, or just above your first knuckle for a trendy midi ring. Just wear one!

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Shelly Isacco