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.

Gold Hoops and Gold Beaded Hoops

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Our 18kt gold hoops can be worn alone or as a foundation for drops. We also offer hanger studs that are fitted with gold wires that accommodate a variety of drops.

Titanium-coated Electric Blue Druzy Drops

Titanium-coated electric blue druzy lives up to its name...simple 18kt gold settings sit back and let the stones work the room.

Approximate length: 1"

Kyanite and Emerald Lozenge Drops

Oval kyanite cabs 8.46 ctw. paired with round emerald cabs 1.99 ctw. were made for each other in 18kt gold.

Approximate length: 1.25"

Golden Leaf Drops

Smooth-toothed 22kt gold leaves stand out against 22kt gold beads and bails.

Approximate length: 1"

Micro Pave Diamond Snake Drops

Oxidized sterling silver snakes are set with sparkling diamond bodies and ruby eyes.

Approximate length: .875"

Tsavorite and Diamond Drops

Irrepressible tsavorite garnets 2.29 ctw. blaze brilliantly against white diamonds .10 ctw. in 18kt gold.

Approximate length: 1"

Ruby Verbena Drops

They're just so good...chic little verbena flowers are studded with vibrant rubies .16 ctw. in 18kt gold.

Approximate length: .5"

Diamond Triad Drops

Try our curvy little triangles of golden perfection in 18kt gold with white diamonds .10 ctw.!


Approximate length: .75"

Hungarian Coins

Authentic sterling silver Hungarian coins circa 1200 are bezeled in 18kt gold and embellished with gold beads; the coins bear the image of Madonna and Child on one side and the Hungarian crest on the other. Wear them as a perfect stand alone or layer them with our other drops, such as the Marquis Diamond Drops (pictured).

Approximate length: 1"

Mixed Metal Frame Drum Drops-large

Oxidized silver and 22kt gold team up to make a versatile pair of tribal drops, suitable for layering or wearing alone.

Approximate diameter: 1.5"

Mixed Metal Frame Drum Drops-small

Oxidized silver and 22kt gold team up to make a versatile pair of tribal drops, suitable for layering or wearing alone.

Approximate diameter: 1"

Purple Sapphire Sundrops

Simple, powerful, and evocative, our 18kt gold Sun Drops are major players in the goddess genre. This pair is made with passionate purple sapphires .40 ctw.

Approximate diameter: .5"

Spiny Nautilus Hanger Studs

Our 18kt gold Spiny Nautilus Hanger Studs are fitted with hooks that accommodate most of our drops.

Approximate length: 1"

Shown with our Aquamarine Gondola Drops (sold separately).

Approximate length: .625"

Splash Hanger Studs

Our 18kt gold Splash Hanger Studs are fitted with hooks that accommodate most of our drops.

Approximate diameter: .5"

Shown with our Green Tourmaline Starbright Drops (sold separately).

Approximate length: 1"

Diamond Triad Hanger Studs

Our 18kt gold and Diamond .10 ctw. Triad Hanger Studs are fitted with hooks that accommodate most of our drops.

Approximate length: .5"

Shown with our White Diamond Ojo Drops (sold separately).

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.

Lemon Chrysoprase Circle Drops

The high-energy hue of lemon chrysoprase with leafy green matrix meets its match in beaded 18kt gold.

Approximate diameter: .625"

Indicolite Tourmaline Anjou Drops

Blue-green velvet tourmalines 6.55 ctw. get you out the door looking like the femme fatale you are...winking white diamonds .08 ctw. and glowing 18kt gold add refinement.

Approximate length: .75"

Capped Citrine Drops

Gold on gold never gets old...honey-colored citrine briolettes 8.97 ctw. are suspended from wedged 18kt gold caps.

Approximate length: .75"

Turquoise Turtle Shell Pendant

The turtle shell, so exquisitely formed, is emblematic of Mother Earth. Many Native Americans revere turtles and some refer to North America as Turtle Island. This version of our Turtle Shell Pendant is made from vibrant 18kt gold and sterling silver; the underside of the shell is a reflector bowl, magnifying the beauty of a prong set natural domestic turquoise 7 cts.

Approximate length: 1.5"

Chain sold separately.
See chains

Woven Heart Drops with Rose Cut Diamonds

The rose cut is a time-honored technique developed in the 1500's, used to showcase precious gems by crafting a softly faceted top with a flat base. Encased in 18kt gold, these exceptional rose cut diamonds 1.8 ctw. shine below trios of brilliant cut diamonds for the best of every-bling.

Approximate length: 1.25"

Square Rosecut Diamond Petra Drops

Square rose cuts 2.25 ctw. set in 18kt gold with glistening cognac diamond centers and tails take it to the next level, Golden Eye style.

Approximate length: 1.5"

Rose Cut Brown Diamond Heart Drops

Hypnotic light emanates from rose cut brown diamonds 8.66 ctw. set in 18kt gold embellished with white diamonds.

Approximate length: 1"

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 Goddess Ring

A spectacular aquamarine teardrop cabochon crowns this sensuous design, accented with brilliant white diamonds .94 ctw. and a single freshwater pearl...all in 18kt gold.

Long Aqua Teardrops

Oh, the glamor of fancy cut, icy blue aquamarine 8.25 ctw. drops, kissed with tiny diamonds .04 ctw. and clad in 18kt gold! Suitors will fling themselves at your feet...cops will issue warnings in lieu of speeding tickets...babies will squeal with delight!

Approximate length: 1.5"

Bastion Bee Pendant

A regal mixed metal bee created in sterling silver and 18kt gold carries demantoid garnet pollen on the tips of its claws...a cultured Tahitian pistachio pearl provides a lustrous perch.

Approximate length: 1.5"

Chain sold separately.
See chains

Apatite Rose Cut Necklace

Carribean blue rose cut apatite stones are set with 22kt gold and white diamonds to create a gorgeous necklace....matching drops are

Apatite rose cut necklace SOLD
Rosecut Peridot and Tourmaline Necklace SOLD

Rose Cut Diamond Stars

A mystical, tribal feeling emanates from 22kt gold and oxidized sterling silver drops...free form rose cut diamonds are ringed with bead-set rose cuts, glistening like the desert sky at night.

Approximate length: 1"

Adobe in the Snow Ring

Designed by Norah Pierson, Adobe in the Snow is an expertly carved pueblo dwelling rendered in 18kt gold with a snowy pearl roof.

Jingle Dangles

The 18kt gold Jingle Dangles earn their keep as a captivating backdrop...their gently hammered satin finish adds dimension (shown here layered with our Diamond Angelfish Drops)...or wear them on their own for an elegant tribal look.

Approximate length: .625 "