Luxurious Lace

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and the Art of Filigree Things

Whether it’s made from woven wire or silken thread – the intricate patterns created are undeniably similar.  Both lace and filigree are made in much the same manner…  curled, twisted, and plaited threads crossed over, under, and finally united at all points of contact.  Time has not diminished the value of either, but rather made them all the more desirable. 

Here is a close-up segment of a filigree bracelet juxtaposed with a piece of lace called Carrickmacross.  Both showcase open meshwork, a treasured decorative element.  No one can resist the delicate beauty of filigree jewelry. Even novices are drawn to Edwardian and Art Deco pieces resplendent with the airy patterns painstakingly created wire by wire.  Ladies, both young and old, are equally enchanted – including me!  Check out this trio of bracelets – each one lovely, but also each with a personality all its own. 

 Here they are individually…

This piece is from the Depression Era, circa 1930’s, featuring die-struck metal that was then hand finished.  The center stone is a square synthetic sapphire (authentic and original to the bracelet).  It is flanked by a pair of white stones and then two additional synthetic sapphires.  It’s moderately priced at $1100.00.

This stunner, signed J.E. Caldwell, speaks for itself.  Handcrafted in platinum using an alternating sequence of two link styles, it contains 120 diamonds totaling over 10 carats!   Aficiondos and amateurs agree – this piece is simply magnificent.  Call me for more details and pricing. 

Finally, we have my favorite of the bunch!  I love the style of the filigree, it reminds me of the petals of a chrysanthemum flower – blooming out from the tiny gem-set center.  Crafted with a nod toward the Edwardian era – this bracelet has a yellow gold frame that is overlaid with a white gold top. 

 

Special attention has been paid to this bracelet – even the back is polished!  For more details and photos, visit our site!

Unlike the lace on a christening dress or a wedding gown, each of these bracelets can be worn and enjoyed every day.  Their lacey appearance is not reserved for special occasions but rather meant to delight… day after day, year after year.

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Shelly Isacco

Words to Live By

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Amazing Accessories

Keep calm and carry a fabulous bag!  These are words to live by.  Honestly, a great handbag is like balm for a fashionista’s soul; it’s full of promise and possibility, it always fits, and like all classics – it never goes out of style. 

Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Kate Spade, and Chanel – just to name a few.  The mention of these names evokes extravagant imagery and often inspires retail therapy in today’s woman.  But luxury handbags are not a new trend, in fact, they’ve been fashionable for over 200 years. 

 

It often took weeks to make just one purse like this.  Crafted from hundreds of tiny gold links, each one was made individually then riveted together to form the silky mesh.  It glides across your skin like satin…  truly incredible.  The process was perfected in the Middle Ages when making chain mail armor. 

This lovely bag (pictured above) was handmade in the early 1900’s.  Made entirely of 14 karat yellow gold, it features a cabochon garnet thumbpiece (the button used to open it), a carrying chain, and a small matching change purse suspended from a shepherd’s hook (small curled wire) soldered inside the frame.  Scripted onto the change purse is the year “1909”. 

Flappers went crazy for these golden beauties in the 1920’s…  especially those with decorative patterns woven into the mesh and the ones decorated with precious stone trim, like these.  Rich blue sapphires are spaced by dazzling diamonds across the framework of each gold clutch. 

Whiting and Davis is perhaps the most famous maker of mesh handbags of various metals from yellow gold (like those shown here) to German silver, sterling silver, and gunmetal.  When the automatic mesh machine was invented in 1912, Whiting and Davis purchased the patent.  They dominated the market for nearly a century.

At Joden, we have many of these unique bags in stock, in both gold and silver.  This weekend and for the next few weeks, they will be on display in our front window.  Come visit me!  I promise you that this is a bag you have to feel to believe.  I am crazy over the unique patterns and the clever clasps!  You must come try it for yourself…

As always, go to our site and look, then come to Joden and touch.

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos and video by Shelly Isacco

Millenial Mavens

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and  Non-traditional Rings

In my work world, we talk engagement rings on the daily…  We’re a team.  We share stories, offer advice, and often dissect current trends.  This year has brought an entirely new engagement adventure…  millennials want to savor the experience (while simultaneously documenting it on social media, of course) and ultimately find a ring as unique as their relationship. 

Today’s couples are choosing vintage.  They want mixed metals, rose gold and yellow gold often paired with colored stones.  2018 is all about floral motifs, shapes, and distinctive rings. 

This pairing is the absolute limit of style and individuality!  First, from the estate of Tamara Toumanova, is this 14 karat gold flower ring.  The curved rose gold petals bloom on your finger while the stem and leaves wrap around to form the band.  Four round diamonds twinkle from inside.  Wear it alone, or stack it with this charming eternity band.  Crafted from 14 karat yellow gold, eleven tiny flowers circle the band, each with a single-cut diamond center.  Perfect for those with an eye for exceptional elegance.

Some couples are opting to forego the engagement ring altogether, preferring instead to celebrate their union with a singular band.  The antique and estate jewelry at Joden offers hundreds of choices…  whether you have a vintage vision in mind or something sleek and modern, our selection will not disappoint.  Here are a few of my favorites…  enamel flowers, matte-finish modernism, and fabled moonstones – each one a tiny treasure in its own right.  Stop in, drop me a line (carrie@joden.com), or call me for details and pricing! 

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Shelly Isacco

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