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

Every Girl Needs A Little Black Dress

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Dreamy Things

Believe it or not, there IS a downside to being surrounded by beautiful jewelry every day.  I have become spoiled.  Really spoiled.  I don’t even bat an eye at a piece that is less than extraordinary.

This Art Nouveau necklace had me doing a double-take…  and that’s a rarity.  It is absolutely fantastic – from the tiny handmade links of the chain to the finely carved bow that crowns the center section.  Every little detail is delightful.

5362-2

It is an exceptional example of a festoon necklace – by definition, a curved necklace comprised of flowers, ribbons, or leaves used as decorative elements with swags or draped chain as part of the design.  This type of necklace was first made popular during the Georgian period.  Each era since has had its own version of the style.

5362-4 5362-3

Three pieces of cobalt blue glass provide the perfect background for each of the details described above; tiny flowers crafted from sterling silver set with rose cut diamonds, buttery gold leaves hand carved from 18 karat yellow gold, and that charming little bow (my favorite part!) tipped with a pair of natural pearls.

This necklace is “the little black dress” of antique jewelry.  It would be perfect for a bride on her wedding day…  something old AND blue but it could just as easily be worn with jeans and boots.  It’s practically perfect in every way.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Beam Me Up

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Celestial Things

Ancient folklore claims that if a man presents his lover with a moonstone necklace by the light of a full moon, their union would be blessed with a great passion that would never subside.  Perhaps this piece was created with these amorous intentions…

moonstone-pendant

Yet another legend dubs moonstone to be the “Traveler’s Stone,” a talisman for protection, health, and good fortune.  Roman and Hindu beliefs clam that the lustrous stone is actually made from solidified moonbeams – a gem created by the tears of the moon.  Whatever the reason for crafting this late Victorian pendant, the fruition is stunning.  It’s sure the inspire passion in anyone who wears it.

The much-fabled moonstone is perfectly showcased in the center of this hand-crafted necklace.  This particular one has been cut and polished in classic cabochon style allowing its two most desirable properties to shine:  adularescence and chatoyancy.  Each of these phenomena are created when light hits the surface of the stone, making it shimmer and glow.  Borders of multicolor enamel and hand cut azures complement the center to complete this exquisite design.

Wear it under the light of the moon, if you dare…

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Click To Call!