Joden Girl
Baubles, Bling and Vintage Things
When I think of jewelry from the 1940’s, my mind conjures images of bold rose and yellow gold, often featuring large gemstones like citrine or aquamarine. These bright center stones were often accented with a few small rubies, sapphires or diamonds. Jewelry from the Retro period was almost exclusively rose gold and for good reason.
World War II affected every aspect of life; the jewelry industry was no exception. Platinum had reigned supreme for the previous thirty years. The delicate appearance of Edwardian jewelry and the geometric beauty of Art Deco jewelry were both made possible by the unique properties of platinum. Those same properties – innate strength and resistance to high temperatures – made this noble metal strategic in the war efforts. It was an ideal choice for use in jet engines, armaments and electronics. As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention – a glamorous new look emerged unlike anything that had come before.
Did you notice that I said that Retro jewelry was ALMOST exclusively rose gold? This week’s featured piece was made in the 1940’s. If the white metal used to make this unique ring isn’t platinum, what could it be? The answer is a combination of silver and palladium. Although not as dense or durable as platinum, palladium is quite a good substitute. There can be no doubt that this ring was made specifically for this stunning cabochon turquoise stone. Exhibiting a color that can only be described as robin’s egg blue, this gem is known as White Cloud Turquoise, hailing from the Sleeping Beauty Mine in Arizona.
A singular curlicue of diamonds wraps around one side of the stone. Nestled within the swirl are twenty-two round diamonds that have a total weight of .50 carat. The asymmetrical style is unexpectedly whimsical. Like many other Retro rings, this piece has a great presence on the hand and is a steal at just $975.00. Not yet on the website, call or stop by to make it yours.
“You can go to a museum and look, or come to us and touch.”
Written by Carrie Martin
Photos by Dana Jerpe
