Joe’s Special Box – Volume 32

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

I love seeing this.  A tray of new purchases on the corner of Joe’s desk.  It’s a treasure hunt for gold, diamonds, and gemstones.  I never know what I’ll find…  but there’s always something that catches my eye.  

And there it is… a pair of delicate antique bands – one featuring a row of collet-set round opals and the other is a line of bright green cabochon stones.  These little cuties are perfect for stacking.  That thought sent me straight to Joe’s Special Box.  I remembered another gem hiding there.  

Get an eyeful of this sweet Victorian beauty.  A vintage halo of fourteen rose-cut diamonds surround a cabochon opal center.  Like most rings from the late 1800’s, the gold setting has a slight rosy hue, it’s the perfect complement to the flashes of green and pink in the opal.  I love the primitive faceting of a rose cut diamond…  like snowflakes, no two are alike.  Opal (the October birthstone) displays a phenomenon of nature commonly referred to as “play of color”.  As you move the stone around, flashes of light and color come back to the eye – it’s mesmerizing.  

This ring is in Joe’s Special Box and is available now for $975.00.  As for the pair of bands, they’re destined for restoration in our shop.  Our in-house facility boasts state-of-the-art tools and equipment as well as two master benchman.  Like all new acquisitions, these bands will be carefully evaluated and repaired before making their way to our showroom, or perhaps even into Joe’s Special Box.

Writing and Photos by Carrie Martin

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

Ravishing Retro

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Glamorous Things

At the end of the 1930’s, the strong geometric lines of Art Deco evolved into the vivid 3-dimentional curves that Retro is known for.  Jewelry of the 1940’s-1950’s makes a bold statement, like this striking bangle pictured above.

Wide ribbons of rose and yellow gold wrap around a large emerald cut aquamarine center stone.  Bright red cabochon rubies and round diamonds add another element of color and design to this already outstanding piece.  To further heighten the appeal, this bangle is able to be converted to a pendant as well as a brooch – fashion AND function!

WWII was a powerful influence on the time.  The use of platinum was restricted making multicolor gold a popular choice…  yellow, rose, and green gold reigned during the Retro period.  Women’s apparel bore a noticeable resemblance to military uniforms – the look was handsome rather than pretty with high collars and ultra masculine lines.  To soften the effect, ladies added jewelry like this…

These oversize pieces are as audacious as they are delicious.  This large bow brooch will catch anyone’s eye – it centers on a 65 carat citrine; Retro style at its finest.  Priced at $6500, it pairs perfectly with the angular lines of this statement ring.   The hourglass shape of the ring nearly spans from knuckle to knuckle – ideally worn on an index or middle finger.  Make it yours for $4500.00.

Much of the Retro period was dedicated to trying to regain the Old Hollywood glamour of the 1930’s.  Pieces like this flaunt that designers achieved and surpassed that goal.  Go to our site and look, then come to Joden and touch.

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Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Shelly Isacco

Conversion Diversion

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Recreated Things

My mother’s jewelry box was always a mystery to me as a child.  I can see it in my mind so clearly…  a hinged lid that when opened, revealed two drawers of little square compartments overflowing with assorted trinkets and treasures.  I loved digging down into the layers, pulling out my favorite pieces…  a silver charm bracelet with mechanical charms (a tiny rotary telephone with a moving dial, a baby buggy with spinning wheels), a matching earring and necklace set comprised of a series of small wooden beads, and a Retro style ring with a synthetic ruby center.  Piece after piece, each one more intriguing than the next to my six-year-old eyes.  The box always sat on my mother’s dresser, neatly centered in front of the oversize mirror.  Unfortunately, she never wore the pieces inside. 

I know this resonates with many of you.  We all have those pieces that seem to float around the bottom of our jewelry box – getting pushed aside time and again as we sift through  searching for our favorites.  For many of us, the items that don’t get worn are pins…  circle pins, lapel pins, lingerie pins, and stick pins. 

At Joden, we have drawers full of stick pins…  hundreds of them.  We have enameled flowers, seed pearl accented love knots, hearts, and clovers, there are animals of every kind, sparkling gemstones, both silver and gold.  Stick pins are a great accessory and still look good threaded through a scarf or necktie – but if you’re just not a pin girl, here are some charming options. 

 

The photo on the left shows a sampling of former stick pins that have been converted to tiny charms.  The photo on the right showcases one of them on a delicate gold chain.  It’s a perfect pendant; able to be worn every day.  It’s a signature piece that can be worn alone or layered with another necklace or two. 

 

Maybe you have more than one stick pin, or perhaps you would like to start collecting them.  The bracelet on the left is a progression of cabochon gemstone charms- moonstone, amethyst, turquoise, jade, and opal.  The theme of the bracelet on the right is diamond trim – while each charm is uniquely different, the diamond accents bring it all together. 

Whether you have pins of your own or perhaps you need to check out the selection available at Joden, it’s all about conversion – giving new life to an old treasure.

“Go to our site and look, then come to Joden and touch.”

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Shelly Isacco

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