The Golden Eye

Johanna Berge

Johanna was born and raised in Lake City, Minnesota on the Mississippi River. For most of her life, she has been immersed in her role as a mother, and her career as a physical therapist.

Johanna is an avid fan of the outdoors and derives much fulfillment from hiking, cross country skiing, mountain biking, and spending time with her animals. The harmony and balance of nature inspired her to begin working with precious stones and metals. A trip to the Argyle mine in Australia left her enamored with natural colored diamonds. Her travels to the Middle East added an earthy opulence to her striking designs.

Although Johanna's intention was to express her joy and creativity through her jewelry and share it with a select few, others soon noticed her designs and asked to buy the items she was wearing. Johanna's business grew rapidly by word of mouth and now she finds herself, much to her delight, a full time artist.

Moonstone Spice Drops

How about a little blue flash magic...faceted moonstones 1.39 ctw. supply it abundantly in our 18kt gold Spice Drops.

Approximate length: .5'

Moonstone Hexi Drops

Mystical moonstones 1.52 ctw. show flashes of phantom blue in our 18kt gold Hexi Drops.

Approximate length: .75"

Moonstone and Diamond Fern Drops

Precious blue light emanates from our ethereal 18kt gold Moonstone and Diamond .06 ctw. Fern Drops.

Approximate length: .75"

Moonstone and Diamond Circe Drops

Faceted moonstones with a violet blue flash electrify the center of our Circe Drops, accented with brilliant white diamonds .24 ctw.

Approximate length: .75"

Turquoise

We sometimes hear someone remark that turquoise jewelry is a "fad", or that they don't wear "Indian jewelry."
Well, if turquoise is a fad, it's got to be the longest running trend ever, as history records its popularity over 7,000 years ago! Archaeologists have recorded that the oldest known piece of jewelry is a gold and turquoise bracelet found on the arm of a mummified Egyptian Queen, around 5000 B.C.

The area once known as Persia, today's Iran, has been producing gem quality turquoise for centuries, as has China.
Native Americans have worked the stone since before the time of Christ. When the Navajo, Hopi, and Pueblo people learned silversmithing from the Spaniards in the 1800's, the stone was incorporated into their pieces. This jewelry was the precursor to the work we identify today as Indian jewelry.

Cerrillos, New Mexico is thought to be the location of the oldest turquoise mines in the country. Prior to the 1920's, the state was the country's largest producer; it is more or less exhausted today.

Arizona currently produces the most turquoise of value domestically. There are many other mines throughout the Southwest, many of which have been exhausted.

Turquoise is made up of phosphorus, copper, and aluminum. The copper is the mineral responsible for the identifying robin's egg blue color that is so valued in the stone.
The mother rock, or matrix, can often be seen running throughout the stone in a network pattern, adding interest and enhancing the beauty of the turquoise.

Most turquoise on the market today has had some kind of treatment to enhance or stabilize the stone. These procedures reduce the value of the stone in varying degrees.
Only about six percent of stones today are what we call "natural turquoise". These have not been altered in any way from their natural state. Stabilizing the turquoise is accomplished by impregnating the stone with an epoxy-type substance to make it more durable.

It is important when purchasing turquoise jewelry that the salesperson is able to indicate if the piece has been treated, or is natural.

Being a phosphate mineral, turquoise is inherently fragile and sensitive to solvents; perfume and other cosmetics will attack the finish and may alter the color of turquoise gems, as will skin oils and most commercial jewelry cleaning fluids. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may discolor or dehydrate turquoise. Care should be taken when wearing such jewels. Cosmetics, sunscreen, and hair spray should be applied before putting on turquoise jewelry.

After use, turquoise should be gently cleaned with a soft cloth to avoid a build up of residue, and should be stored in its own container to avoid being scratched by harder gems. Turquoise can also be adversely affected if stored in an airtight container-it likes to breathe.

The Illuminating Lens Necklace

Incandescence animates an Ethiopian opal orb in a sapphire-encrusted .84 ctw. 18kt gold frame, suspended from a crescent moon bail that boasts an orange sapphire flanked by two glittering diamonds .06 ctw....layers of 18kt gold and opal beads echo the swirling apricot chromatics of the pendant.

Approximate length (pendant): 1.75"

Approximate length (necklace): 18"

Triad Pendants

Lovely little 18kt gold pendants in sapphire .05 ct., diamond .05 ct., and ruby .07 ct....triad and true, they will not disappoint you!

Approximate length: .75"

Chain sold separately.
See chains

Tourmaline Queen of Spades Pendant

Are you ready to hold all the cards? A spectacular rubellite tourmaline cabochon topped with a round rubellite cab 15.29 ctw. is bedecked with a green tourmaline cabochon .12 cts., two tsavorite garnets .08 ctw., two orange sapphires 1.5 ctw., eight glittering white diamonds .13 ctw. and a pink sapphire .09 cts. This extravagant 18kt gold creation features a sun pattern on the back.

Chain sold separately.

Sea Serpent Peacock Pearl Pendant

Iridescent peacock pearls are beautifully displayed in our mixed metal power piece. Sterling silver Sea Serpents with 22kt gold beads create the frame for a freshwater button pearl with a mauve metallic nacre bezeled in 22kt gold. A 22kt gold hinge and cap hold a voluptuous blue teardrop-shaped beauty.

Approximate length: 2"

Chain sold separately.
See chains

Vintage Moonstone Pendant

A one-of-a-kind piece from the hands of Norah Pierson bestows iconic glamor...an effulgent rose cut moonstone from India is rimmed in sterling silver and set in gleaming 14kt gold...a frame of pave cognac diamonds attentively glistens...a generous gold bail on a sleek black chain harbors gold beads below and a silver-wrapped star sapphire above...the bottom of the piece is finished with a rose cut pear-shaped diamond and two round star sapphires, flanked by gold beads.

Approximate length: 1.25"

All proceeds will benefit The Wildlife Center, The Raptor Center, Heart & Soul Animal Sanctuary, Felines and Friends New Mexico, and Kindred Spirits Animal Sanctuary.

Pendant Del Mar

Designed by Norah Pierson, this majestic 18kt gold pendant with a mabé pearl and apatite center is suspended from a detachable strand of color-enhanced pink Chinese freshwater pearls. Both the Caribbean blue of the apatite and the pink nacre of the pearls are mirrored in the mabé pearl's luminescence.

Water Maiden Earrings

Evans turquoise in soft blue with a sepia matrix is paired with faceted moonstones and Australian gaspeite, and bezeled in 18kt gold.

Approximate length: 2.25"

The Prehnite Soul's Compass Pendant

Magic is afoot in this one-of-a-kind 18kt gold pendant.

A prehnite 20 cts. lozenge highlights a carved back plate depicting the sacred geometry of the Flower of Life...an 18kt gold frame illuminates the four directions with dazzling tsavorite garnets .36 ctw., pink sapphires .36 ctw., and white diamonds .08 ctw...the back of the pendant reveals the North Star with an emerald .03 cts. cabochon at its center...a generous hinged enhancer provides the option to wear the pendant on a variety of necklaces....and, oh my, the companion necklace: glistening olive sapphires 62 ctw. reflecting 18kt gold beads!!!

Approximate diameter of The Soul's Compass: 1"

Approximate length of the Sapphire Companion Necklace: 19.5"

Apatite and Vasonite Necklace

Caribbean blue apatite and beach glass-green vasonite are bezeled in 22kt gold and linked together with an 18kt gold adjustable chain, resulting in a veritable deluge of color.

Approximate length: 16-18" adjustable

Triple Turquoise Pendant

Three sky blue stones of natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise are stacked with white diamonds and set in 18k gold to make a beautiful tiered necklace. An exotic and sophisticated look!

Approximate length: 1.75"

Chain sold separately.
See chains

Lapis Lipstick Drops

Vibrant blue lapis is bezel set in 18kt gold and punctuated with white diamonds .10 ctw.

Approximate length: 1.25"

Fire Agate Bracelet

Red sapphire links in18kt gold accent lively fire agates in this artful adornment...finished with our Golden Eyebox clasp.

Approximate length: 6.5"

Opal Doublet Drangonfly Wing Drops

Exquisite striations of blue, gold, coral, peach, and green create lacework reminiscent of dragonfly wings, bezeled in lustrous 18kt gold.

Approximate length: 2.25"

Etruscan Treasures Rings

Courtly 18kt yellow gold bands can be set with a multitude of stones. This duo is shown with all cognac diamonds, and with white and cognac diamonds.

The Etruscan Treasures Ring is identical in style to Venus II except five stones are set on top of the band instead of all the way around. Our cognac diamond .61 ctw. version is currently offered in size 10.

Size 8 and above, please call for pricing.

Aquamarine Guinevere Band

We are swooning over the 18kt gold Aquamarine .30 ctw. Guinevere Ring with its breathy, shimmering baby blueness. Don't wear it when you're driving...you won't be able to keep your eyes on the road!