When Good Becomes Great

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Transformed Things

It’s no secret, I LOVE conversion jewelry.  You might even say I’m conversion-crazed!  Living in a throw-away society where each of us create almost 1600 pounds of trash per year, I love that we’re up-cycling and repurposing these broken or unworn pieces. 

Some of my favorite transformations include:

  • Pins to pendants
  • Pins to Rings
  • Pins to Earrings
  • Stick Pins to Charms for Pendants and Charm Bracelets
  • Cufflinks to Earrings
  • Single Earrings to Pendants

There are endless options and countless reasons for re-imagining jewelry.  Perhaps you inherited a brooch that isn’t your jam.  Maybe you’ve been through a divorce and you want to do something with those rings.  It could be that your style has changed over the years and you have a piece that needs a refresh.  Whatever the case may be, don’t hesitate to take something old and create something new.

With the holidays on the horizon, the conversion case at Joden is brimming with all the latest revived treasures.  We redesign 99% of these beauties here on the premises – but occasionally we buy a piece of jewelry that was already updated, like this platinum pendant.  

The transformation is so well done that at first glance, you might think this lovely gem was always a necklace.  It wasn’t until I turned it over that I was able to discern that it had once been something else entirely.  The center section on the back side is concave.  The gallery is perfectly contoured to lay flush with the finger…  this Art Deco pendant used to be a ring.  It isn’t often that someone takes a ring and changes it into something else.  This beauty is an unusual example.

The craftsmanship is superb, featuring hand pierced openings and milgrain edges.  Nestled in the center is an open-culet Old European Cut diamond.  There are an additional twenty-four diamonds set in the outer edges – they are all single-cut stones.  All diamonds have a combined weight of approximately .50 carat.  

Although the original design sat like a square on the finger, I love that someone gave it a jaunty spin.  The pendant dangles from one corner and slides on an 18-inch platinum cable chain.  Priced at just $1,725.00, it’s available in the store.  I hope that you’ve enjoyed this conversion diversion as much as I have!

“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 38

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and the Latest Things

This latest piece is fresh from our shop.  Located on the premises, Joden Jewelers is doubly blessed to have this state-of-the-art facility staffed with two world class bench jewelers.  Having this valuable resource at our fingertips allows us to do so much more than an average store.  We are able to restore, repair and create…  sometimes on a whim.  This necklace is one of those whims. 

Curvaceously charming, this pendant was made from a bar pin.  Originally designed to be worn horizontally, this lovely pin had been hanging around the store for awhile.  Clovers are a treasured symbol of faith, hope and love.  Enchanted by the heart-shaped pavé pearl leaves and curled stem, we had a moment of inspiration and decided to convert it to a pendant.  

By simply removing the pin stem and then giving the brooch a ninety-degree turn – an elegant new pendant was born.  In a genius move, we decided to hide the bail behind the stem.  I love that we were able to keep the original line of the brooch, it’s simple perfection.  One small Old Mine Cut diamond is nestled deep between the three leaves of the clover adding a little sparkle.  Priced at $825.00, this 14-karat yellow gold necklace won’t last long.  Hop on over to our site for more details.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

Getting Personal with the Personnel – Volume 1

Baubles, Bling, and Personal Things

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and Insider Information

Born Andrea Caroline in 1975, I have answered to many names but rarely my birth name.  My family has called me Carrie all my life and I have since accumulated multiple titles…  daughter, sister, friend, wife and mother.  Someday I hope to add grandma to that list. 

This is my second time around at Joden Jewelers – collectively, I have worked for the company for over twenty years.  In all that time, no two days are ever the same.  That’s one of the most unique aspects of working here.  One day I might answer 150 emails and 20 phone calls and the next day could find me sifting through a recently acquired estate of antique jewelry…  quite literally digging for treasures.  It’s impossible to be bored when you never know what is going to happen from one day to the next.

I don’t have a favorite piece…  more like a favorite theme.  I love floral pieces, especially daisies.  Vintage or new, silver or gold – I am a sucker for jewelry that features flowers.  By definition, Art Nouveau is the celebration of the woman in nature.  It’s my favorite period.  The simple beauty of the curving gold lines paired with enameled figures and flowers is enchanting.  In the pictures shown here, you can see a few pieces from my personal collection.  Just for fun, I had Dana add one of my LEAST favorite items at Joden into the collage.  Can you guess which one it is?

My biggest accomplishment during the time I have been with the company is the collaborative efforts of Dana and I on our social media presence; that includes all things Facebook, Instagram, the website and this blog.  This edition marks the 508th blog that I have written.  It has definitely been a journey filled with some extremely high highs and some lows as well.  For every time I have struggled to find words there is also a celebratory moment with Dana over an internet sale.  It is a source of great  pride and real accomplishment for me.  

Another thing that I love doing is designing new pieces of conversion jewelry, including this most recent addition.  Last Saturday I found the sweetest Victorian circle pin.  With a 14-karat yellow gold base and a silver top, the delicate daisy wreath appealed to me on almost every level.  The simple ring of rose-cut diamond accented flowers, dainty leaves and pearl adornments was perfect, except that it was a pin.  Looking for an ideal complement for the daisy brooch had me digging through four trays of stick pins.  Finally, I had a “Eureka” moment!  After a quick consultation, our bench jeweler Debbie made conversion magic…

Two previously unworn gems are now one extremely wearable pendant.  Soon to be added to the website, this beauty is available in the store now for just $575.00.  Stop by, say “hi” and see it for yourself.  

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

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