Sign of The Times

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Political Things

On this day – November 4th – in the year 1842, Mary Anne Todd said “I Do” to a young lawyer with political aspirations from Hardin County, Kentucky.  His name was Abraham Lincoln.  He would go on to be the first Republican President, and is credited with steering The United States through The Civil War, the most tumultuous time in the history of our country.

In 1861, upon winning the Presidential election, and in anticipation of the Inaugural Ball, President Lincoln commissioned a three piece seed pearl suite for his wife to wear to the ball.  The delicate demi-parure (pictured below) was created by Tiffany & Co.

mary-todd-lincoln-in-pearl-demi-parure     mary-todd-lincon-portrait-2

This style of jewelry had been popular since the early 1800’s – making a crossover between the late Georgian and Early Victorian periods.  These jewels were often lacey in appearance, each one constructed from a Mother of Pearl base upon which natural seed pearls were sewn, with either pale horse hair or gut.  Many of these suites had multiple pieces and were sold as bridal gifts.

The bottom shelf of our Victorian case is home to several similar seed pearl creations, including one six-piece set in its original fitted box.  The suite contains one choker, two pair of pierced earrings, two small pins, and one large brooch.

pearlinbox

Each one was made in the manner detailed above with silver clasps, pin stems, and earring backs.  Each tiny pearl (measuring less than one millimeter each) has been painstakingly sewn into floral and leaf patterns.  The red leather case was specially crafted for these pieces and is marked inside the lid with a tiny crown and the following words:

The London Bullion Co, Ltd.

Jewellers

33 Haymarket

London S.W.1

pearlonglass1

Being nearly 200 years old, it is in near perfect condition.  It’s easy to see why our motto holds true…

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos courtesy of internetstones.com and Carla Leight

It’s the Little Things

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Converted Things

Gone are the days of women wearing suits to work every day.  Casual apparel has become commonplace.  As a result, brooches and pins have been abandoned to the bottom of jewelry boxes everywhere.

Many women mistakenly think that brooches are for dressing up…  Not true!  In fact, in the 1800’s, pins were worn every day, although they weren’t always visible.  Women’s undergarments have come a LONG way, but the basic structure is still very much the same – straps worn over the shoulders.  In Victorian times, these straps were secured with a tiny pair of decorative pins.  Lingerie pins, like these:

At Joden, we have several pair of lingerie pins…  and they are all enchanting.  There are Art Deco filigree styles with tiny sapphires, Edwardian designs with pearl centers, and Art Nouveau sets enameled in shades of pink, blue, and black.

With bar necklaces popping up all over the place, we decided to start converting our little pins into necklaces, two are pictured below.  Aren’t they are fabulous? In fact, they sold so quickly, we had to make more.

new-blog-photo

So, dig out those brooches, and get inspired!

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

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Carla Leight

Great Destinations

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Collectible Things

No one comes to Joden by accident.  Everyone who walks through the door does so intentionally.  Drawn here by stunning billboards, glossy magazine ads, or the recommendation of a friend.  For each of these people, Joden is a destination.

People come to us for the extraordinary – the rare and unusual.  Be it vintage or modern, Joden is a haven of unique treasures.  Eclectic inventory tends to attract eclectic clients.  Our customers are nontraditional people looking for statement pieces.  Many of them are collectors looking for exceptional acquisitions.

blog deco ring

Quite often, a first-time buyer – a vintage virgin, if you will – is quickly converted to a collector.  Many times this is sparked by a charming antique engagement ring, like the one pictured above.  This ring was crafted in the mid-1920’s of 18 karat white gold.  The carved mounting features a dazzling round diamond center accented by a pair of baguette cut sapphire sides.  This is a ring that leaves a girl wanting more.

The platinum sapphire and diamond pendant and the Art Deco circle pin pictured next are perfect companions for this ring.  Both feature rich blue sapphires and round brilliant diamonds.  These and countless others are waiting for you.  No matter what kind of jewelry sparks your passion, the journey begins with you and ends when you reach your destination, Joden Jewelers.

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

Written by Carrie Martin

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