What’s New – Volume 98

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling and the Latest Things

At Joden, something “new” is rarely a freshly manufactured, brand-spanking new piece.  Instead, it’s most often something that is new to us and our inventory.  It’s not an exaggeration to say that we get a superfluous influx of jewelry every single day.  The range of style and quality is vast…  everything from literal scrap gold to a rare antique diamond ring.  One of my favorite things to do is sort through a lot, designating each item to its next destination.  Some things will go directly to the refinery, either because they’re simply too damaged to salvage or undesirable in today’s market.  Once the scrap is removed, the remaining pieces will be evaluated, cleaned and/or repaired and then filtered into our system.  This, of course, is when we find some of our favorite things…  vintage charms, thick gold bands, unique stud earrings and so much more.  These are the treasures that find their way here, and ultimately to you.

This ring is a perfect example.  Made 10-karat gold, this Retro ring is simple elegance.  Bezel-set in the center is a 7mm round blue zircon.  Offering cool Caribbean water vibes, the color of this gemstone is everything!  Zircon is perhaps the most under-utilized gemstone.  Available is a myriad of colors, this stone is one of the most brilliant non-diamond gems.  Blue is the most popular hue; the depth of the tone is directly related to the price.  The deep rich blue color commands a higher ticket price and is nearly always the result of heat treatment.  Zircon is a very clean stone internally, a fact that makes it an ideal choice for a ring.

Flanking the center stone are two small diamonds.  Each one is bead set inside the kite-shaped trim at the top of the shoulder.  My favorite part of this vintage ring is the patina that has developed over the past eighty years.  The gold looks rosy is some areas and yellow in others.  Deep in the crevices and around every contour, the tarnish is a wonderful shade of purplish black.  I gave the ring a good steam bath to remove any dirt and debris from the underside without erasing that patina.  I cannot fathom why anyone would want to polish away that luxurious shading that took decades to develop.  Like the perfect pair of jeans, it hugs and highlights all the best parts of the ring.  Measuring a generous size 9.5, I like the way it looks on my index finger.  Priced at just $675.00, this one is available on our website.  It won’t last long!

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

Joe’s Special Box – Volume 142

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

When I showed this ring to Jay, he wrinkled up his nose and made a face.  Then I told him that I got it from Joe’s Special Box and that it was going to be a featured blog piece.  Another nose crinkle and an “Ugh!” later and I haven’t changed my mind.  Jay doesn’t like it AT ALL.  Joe likes it so much that he squirrelled it away in his office.  I’m somewhere in between – there’s something about it.  

Made in a band style, this three-row ring is crafted from 18-karat white gold.  A somewhat unusual patina has developed on the gold, giving it a dark appearance around the diamonds and a slight yellowish cast to the metal.  This can easily be removed with a visit to our shop.  In the hands of an expert, a fine polish and rhodium plating could have this ring looking like new.  If you’re wondering why we haven’t done that already, the answer is simple.  I love patina.  It’s character that develops over time, usually years.  Though it can be removed in a moment, there’s no going back.  It can’t be replaced.  In the vintage jewelry world, alterations and cleaning must be carefully considered.

Five round cabochon jadeite gems span the center.  Two rows of eight single-cut diamonds provide a border for those bright green stones with one row on each side.  Offering a combined weight of .25 carat, they add a hint of sparkle to this unusual band.  It would make a great non-traditional wedding band or simply a fun right-hand ring.  Style is subjective; it’s unexpected and even controversial.  Perhaps you are team Jay and give this ring a definite thumbs down; maybe you side with Joe and think it’s special and worthy of saving.  Or maybe you’re like me and find yourself sitting on the fence.  With a price of just $500, there’s no doubt that it will bring a pop of color to your life.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

Joe’s Special Box – Volume 136

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

If you’ve been searching for a ring that is truly unique, look no further.  This unusual find from Joe’s Special Box dates back to the Mid-Victorian period.  Made entirely of silver, this beauty offers a lovely elongated shape that sits perfectly on the finger. 

Each of the twelve diamonds set in the ring are rose cuts.  Every one is held within an open back setting, a detail of Victorian era gems.  Earlier Georgian pieces utilized closed-back construction.  These openings allow for light to reach the diamonds and also add ease to the cleaning process.  The primitive rose cut showcases a flat back with a domed and lightly faceted top.  Said to sparkle best in candle light, this early diamond cut reached a peak of popularity when candles became readily available to everyone, not just the wealthy.  Diamond sales surged with the advances in the candle making process.  

The center rose cut is a pear-shape.  It is surrounded by a series of eleven more diamonds set in the leaf-like details of the ring.  The combined weight of all twelve stones is approximately .50 carat.  Over the past 160 years, the silver framework of the ring has tarnished to black…  this patina is the very thing that makes me love this ring.  It speaks to the age of this antique gem and although it could be cleaned, it would change the feel of the ring entirely.  Now a featured item on our website, this beauty from the mid-1860’s is available for $2,500.00.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

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