Victorian Selfie

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Carved Things

Grab your phone, strike a pose, and click!  Selfie!  In less than a second, you can capture a lasting impression.  But in the 1890’s, it took just a bit longer.  While photography was quite popular and widespread, it wasn’t instantaneous.  Instead, artisans took time, perhaps even months to create the perfect image… various methods were employed including miniature paintings, intaglio, and cameos.  Our extensive collection of antique jewelry boasts more than 200 of these tiny masterpieces, including this beauty…

There are two primary types of these vintage carvings – those sculpted from seashells and those cut from hard stones like agate.  This one is the latter, a late Victorian likeness etched from a bi-color piece of banded agate.  The stone itself grows in layers of color, the dark red and then the white.  The artist must then study the stone to determine how to make the face come to life.  This one features a woman shown in profile with her hair pulled back.  

Most cameos have been fashioned into brooches and can be quite large.  This one, however, is a perfectly sized pendant.  The small oval carving is ensconced a within multi-color gold frame, made entirely by hand.  With a pattern of rosy gold swirls, trios of small beads, and single-cut diamond accents…  this gem beats any selfie, hands down!  The number “36” is scratched onto the back of it…  perhaps indicating that it was the 36th carving of it’s kind.  It hangs from an 18 inch curb link chain and is available on our site.  Make a lasting impression of your own with this piece for just $1,400.00.

This pendant is just one piece in the rose gold edition of our Holiday Gift Guide.  Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram to find perfect gifts for every name on your list!  

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

Joe’s Special Box – Volume 90

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

Do you love giving and receiving jewelry but aren’t sure what to get?  For the next three weeks, we are sharing our Holiday Gift Guide.  Every piece will be listed on our site.  This week’s theme is rose gold – this caché of treasures is loaded with gift worthy items including these two beauties from Joe’s Special Box.   

This pair of Victorian rings have some striking similarities.  Each one was made near the end of the 19th century, approximately 1885.  They both feature artfully engraved patterns that are accented with tiny beaded edges and they both have diamond centers. 

Fourteen karat rosy gold has been hand sculpted into this beautifully feminine solitaire diamond ring.  Six claw-style prongs hold the .25 carat Old European Cut diamond in place.  Trumpet belled shoulders fade into a delicately etched shank.  This super sweet gem would make an ideal engagement ring – it’s available now for $675.00.

Also crafted from 14 karat rosy gold, this unisex band ring showcases textural patterns on the shoulders.  A botanical vibe combines with linear patterning to create a unique find.  Add in a tiny diamond center, and it’s absolute perfection.  Someone on your list would love this antique beauty for just $240.00

Tune in every Monday and Friday to see what else pops up on the Joden Gift Guide!  Who needs elves when you have us?  

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

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