The Particularities of Paestum
The Paestum rhapsody and matching earrings present a lively combination of colors and textures. The deep-toned round amethyst, square jade and rectangular peridot are set off stunningly by the small round and trapezoidal-cut garnets. Garnets. According to the ancients, the subtle strength of this stone lies in communicating support to the to the body physically and it reinforces the will with perseverance. It cures anemia, augments circulation of the blood and gives freedom from manias and migraine headaches. It sustains concentration, spiritual knowledge and interior wisdom. Inspiration and intuition are considered the benefits of wearing garnets. That wearing gemstones enhances our lives has been recognized down through the ages and notes amethyst (greek for non-inebriation) as a powerful influence on sobriety – very important for the credibility of high priests, politicians and other dignitaries. The part of the population which could afford them wore amulets of this semi-precious stone, believing that it could prevent drunkenness, dispel sleep, sharpen the intellect and act as an antidote to poison in general. Jade is known as “the stone of the flank”. It protected the wearer from renal colic by fortifying the kidneys.
In our Paestum rhapsody – JoCoCo’s signature piece emphasizing versatility by being just the right length for you to wear as a choker, a short necklace, a long necklace, a tied necklace or as a bracelet wrapped either 5 or 6 times finished off with a stylish magnetic clasp – it is in fact the garnet which adds a depth, richness and patrician element. We named this set Paestum in honor of the ancient site founded by Greek colonists in the 7th Century B.C. The Romans took it over in 273 B.C. and added a forum and an amphitheater. The temple on this Italian archaeological site dedicated to Poseidon rivals the finest temples in Greece; the earlier structure, called the Basilica, was in fact a temple sacred to Hera, the wife of Zeus. This combination of stones is powerful yet delicate. It will make you feel set apart and special (and perhaps “above it all” like a goddess).
Sally Fougerousse
Mother of Pearl: The Lining of the Oyster
Pescara on the Adriatic coast has a history that dates from pre-Roman times. The city was destroyed twice and rebuilt in 1290. In 1490 it was fortified. Then Charles the Fifth took over and reinforced it as a market center. It resisted the siege of the Turks in 1506 and the Austrian siege in 1707 but the Bourbons took the town in 1799. From 1867 it developed as a city in its own right—a market town with a strategic location. The events of history have created the mosaic that Pescara is today. Gabrielle D’Annunzio was born at Pescara in the 18th century. He was a radical figure: poet, playwright, philosopher and journalist. He and Pietro Cascella (more modern) have given Pescara an important artistic reputation which tempers the briskly-paced commerce that the town was known for earlier on…
As the saying goes, the world can be one’s oyster — a special delicacy of any type. The Pescara necklace is one of those truly interesting and expressive pieces; some woman’s special delicacy. Who can say if it is bold or understated? It is very modern in the geometry of its centerpiece — a mosaic. The silk knots soften it, like the lapping waves of the sea soften a rocky coast. It is easy to wear for dress or with casual attire. I presented it in Savannah, GA in 2009 at a class reunion. My “sistah” Susan has the only other one created by me. These are the knots that bind. Unique and lasting. Sally Fougerousse
No place like Umbria – The Assisi Necklace
Assisi is a very harmonious Umbrian town (aren’t they all?) – there is a peace there even in high tourist season. The Basilica of St. Francis, which has a beautiful rose window, inspired the Assisi necklace with its periwinkle blue lace agate centerpiece. It is very feminine and uniquely carved.
This stone is said to augment psychological equilibrium and give an emotional stability. It could help that feeling of tranquility and well-being that spreads over mind and body when we are at one with ourselves, the human race and the nature that surrounds us. In ancient times it was thought to reduce spasms and fits. It develops creativity and stimulates its expression, no matter in what field we work. The two sizes of garnets represent the nobility and wealthy merchant class (of which St. Francis was a part in his youth) and the Popes who have had a great love of this saint over the centuries. The pink rice pearls speak in a simple way for the great Monte Subasio which towers over the town and its pale pink-toned stone from which the town was built. Those tiny pearls also remind me of the simple words of wisdom, spoken and written by this beloved saint of Italy, Il Poverello: the little poor one.
Sally Fougerousse
Another Tiberian Villa and the Concreteness of Carnelian
The Sperlonga necklace is named in honor of another Tiberian Villa on the Tyrrenian Coast near me on the Riviera of Odysseus. It must have been very impressive in its time. The ruins are fascinating even today. Rightly so, a small museum was built to house the sculptures that Tiberius commissioned for the natural grotto and the constructed fisheries. There are olive groves on the property. This man had an eye for beauty and could afford to commission significant works of art. The parts battered have been assembled; the parts lost have been reconstructed and they give us an idea of who Tiberius was. He identified with Odysseus’ wanderings and adventures after the Trojan Wars. Tiberius was clearly, in his own mind, a sea-faring warrior. He was hypnotized by the sea.
Carnelian was valued by Tiberius, so this captivating carnelian necklace with its exotic silver centerpiece was named after his villa at Sperlonga. He followed the Egyptians who had a belief in the “blood stone”, as they called it. Carnelian is at once a symbol of life and protects life… it defends justice and stabilizes situations (an emperor would need that “help”); it promotes absorption of nutrients (for physical strength); and prevents headaches (for mental strength and lack of confusion). It is said to facilitate the birth process. Maybe Tiberius gave his wife a necklace such as this to protect his wife and his offspring… was this benevolence or egotism? At any rate the ancients, whether primitive or cultured individuals, believed in the secrets of stones. It was not necessarily a religion or a superstition, but rather a fact discovered, dictated by nature and tradition.
Sally Fougerousse
Island inspirations and more gemstone secrets
Emperor Augustus called Capri the city of sweet idleness. The whole little island does inspire the visitor to be in neutral gear, apart from the chaos of the continent, adrift at sea. Liz Taylor, Brigitte Bardot and other stars were the modern day goddesses found vacationing there. Whitney Houston and Julia Roberts, more recently have taken a break there. Tiberius had 12 villas around the island and composed all of his governmental decrees there because he couldn’t stand to leave the place.
Capri Rhapsody
So, the fascination of the BLUE GROTTO has inspired the Capri rhapsody which features a faceted blue chalcedony gemstone. Chalcedony brings forth and strengthens a faith in yourself, reinforces your memory, and helps in situations that are stressful. Therefore, you can maintain that “Capri attitude” even though you are not there. Chalcedony helps breathing difficulties and tends to help a women during nursing. A laid-back attitude helps a lot of things in life…its the attitude and not the stone. The stone can be a comfort, however, like a blanket can be, because you relax in the presence of something familiar, something beautiful; candle-light weaves its web of contemplation and quiet memories as well…
The Italians say: Dolce far niente (It’s sweet to do a darned nothing). Looking good and feeling on top of things is always the point of view of the JoCoCo line of jewelry. Wearing a simple piece of ours can enhance your mood and bring out the best in you, whether you are being seen or not. Take the inspiration. Go JoCoCo.
Sally Fougerousse
St. Gallen Bracelet
Today I would like to highlight our St. Gallen bracelet which is a simple combination of Rose Quartz gemstones, silk cord and sterling silver. Now, I am not a huge fan of pink myself, however I do love the St. Gallen bracelet, probably because of the overall feel: the pink is so pretty – soft and feminine; the shape of the gemstones (they are called “faceted rondelle” which means they are round like a wheel and faceted) reflects light and gives each stone depth and dimension; the clasp is detailed, creating a little bit of interest in an otherwise subtle piece. It fits wonderfully, is lightweight, and I love how it “rolls” slightly as you move or raise your arm. I find it to be wonderfully versatile…picture it around your write with any of these outfits: simple tank and jeans with sandals, 3/4 sleeve sweater and skirt with boots, simple cocktail dress and heels…the 
St. Gallen would complement them all perfectly.
This bracelet is also part of our Pink line which gives a percentage of profits to help support the Deanna Favre Hope Foundation. The reason we were drawn to this particular charity is that money is used to help disadvantaged or under-insured women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and are undergoing treatment. So, all of these wonderful pieces of jewelry, including the St. Gallen, not only make you look great, but you can also feel great knowing that you are also helping a good cause!
Now about that name … St. Gallen is a Northeastern city in Switzerland, with endless beauty to be found in both the city itself and the backdrop of the Alps. One of the highest citi
es in Switzerland, the main attraction is the Abbey of St. Gall, which has a library including books dating back to the 9th century. So much history in this city. Being born and living in the States, I am always drawn to European cities because just by looking at the architecture of the buildings, I immediately can sense the amazing history behind it. In St. Gallen, I love how the steeples and red roofs look against the snow-covered mountains – it is not only breathtaking, but such a wonderful juxtaposition of urban life and nature.
When we looked at images of the city, and thought of all the factors I mentioned above, we realized that St. Gallen was the perfect name for our rose quartz bracelet. Simple and fresh, with a hint of elegance and urbanity make the St. Gallen bracelet an accessory for a woman to enjoy that will never go out of style.
Adriana M Dehring
Rio de Janeiro
So this post is to give you all a little more insight into how our Rio de Janeiro ring was inspired and named. All of the JoCoCo Jewelry pieces are named after cities, towns and islands where we have been, would love to be, or will go when we can. There are just so many amazing destinations around the world that are fascinating…so many beautiful white beaches to lay on, breathtaking mountains to ski down, cafés to sit at and people watch, bustling downtowns to stroll through, crazy nightlife scenes to experience… One of these places is Rio de Janeiro. I have never been, but when I hear the name, I immediately think of an exotic blend of culture, history, energy, beaches, heat, crazy nightlife, fun and excitement – an experience not soon to be forgotten.
This amazing city boasts the largest 
and second largest urban forests in the world, amazing beaches, giant statue of Christ (Christ the Redeemer), Sugarloaf mountain, and Maracanã stadium…which is probably why it is the main tourist destination in the Southern Hemisphere. What a great city to name a gorgeous gemstone cocktail ring after, right?!
Our Rio de Janeiro cluster ring is gorgeous, exotic, sexy, urban, elegant, kind of vintage and kind of modern…and very appropriately named, I think. A combination of citrine, pearl and mother of pearl stones with a single faceted lemon quartz gemstone right in the middle. It is captivating in how it captures the light and makes your eyes dance around trying to take in all the details – the cut of the stones, the subtle and soothing colors, the hint of silver throughout. It stands proudly on your finger, an amazing silhouette with so much depth and dimension to it…like you can always find something new each time you see it. It is mysterious and exciting…kind of like the city itself!
Adriana M Dehring
Malé Pieces
Staring at the snow out my window makes me long for warm weather and beautiful beaches where I can dig my toes into the sand and relax with a book and a drink. The beach would be on an island, and the island would be far away from work and home, where I could forget everything for a short time and just relax. Ideally, I am thinking the Maldives. The Republic of Maldive’s capital and largest city is Malé – traditionally the King’s island where dynasties ruled and the palace was located. The center of Malé is heavily urbanized and the island is the center of all administrati
on and bureaucracy and the doorway to the nation.
We chose this name for our Mother of Pearl jewelry because of the amazing balance of urban lifestyle and natural beauty. The pearls themselves offer this same blend of sleek sophistication and simple beauty, making our Malé pieces unique and stunning. The iridescent quality of the pearls creates subtle movement and depth and the beads are smooth and round, emitting 
a subtle elegance. Part of our Spring line, the Malé necklace is six strands of over four hundred mother of pearl beads, intertwined together.
The Malé earrings are eight different sized Mother of Pearl beads arranged on a silver chain. Both pieces are the perfect blend of elegance and simple beauty. They would be absolutely stunning as wedding jewelry, but at the same time I could see myself wearing them on vacation in the Maldives. With our ring upload, we will be adding a cocktail ring to the Malé pieces as well, gorgeous Mother of Pearl set in silver – a stunning and captivating combination for sure!
Check out the complete line of JoCoCo Jewelry on our website and be sure to check back for more info on our new Spring cocktail rings.
Adriana M Dehring
Gargano – A Heavenly Place
Gargano Necklace
The Gargano necklace features a green aventurine disc with dual circles. The circle is a lovely symbol of eternity. One may always get back to where she’s coming from so we must be careful about our starting point and our perspective, our motivations for the journey we’re undertaking. Italians are devout and believe in miracles and the sacredness of their peninsula; they are also superstitious and careless about the environment. We are all full of contradictions personally but my dear Italians are full of contradictions as a population. The Gargano necklace says it all as an amulet and a symbol of eternal roots. The soft tones of the knotted silk cords form a palette which reminds me of varied blue skies and the pale mint green of a shaded forest. This is the essence of the Premontory of Gargano. So, we’re back to the spur of this crazy boot, Italy. Michael the Archangel appeared on what is now called Monte Sant’Angelo in a grotto in the 5th Century. A cathedral was built in his honor to mark the spot where heaven and earth met. There have been four apparitions there. The last one was in 1556. Tradition has it that when St. Francis of Assisi visited there, he dared not enter where the Archangel had tread. His humility stopped him at the entrance where his footprint is sealed in stone at the base of the portal to the crypt. We moderns just go rushing in with our tempered awe. As the circle dictates by form, we are back to where we started from! The Gargano necklace is a lovely portable reminder of eternity. I enjoyed sharing its story with you.
Sally Fougerousse
This Crazy Boot
Vico Necklace
I am so glad to take a moment and present my Vico necklace which is named after Vico del Gargano in Southern Italy. The state of Puglia in Italy is so long – it includes the spur and the heel of this crazy boot with so much coastline. The lovely thing about the peninsula of Gargano (the Spur) is a national forest preserve: so many trees, so cool in summer when it can be hot everywhere else. My Indian agate strand with interspersed silver tubes reminds me of a woods where light enters softly on the evergreens and produces a tempered radiance, filtered by spruce and pine needles. The vegetation is thick and yet the light is silvery. Silvano is a forest god; selva means woods or forest. In Italian “argento” means silver. I have always been fascinated by words and their roots. Maybe I should have done a real study of etymology. For now I’m just making do with the words I connect and how I love this chunky necklace. I hope you do too.
Sally Fougerousse
The White Island Ring
The JoCoCo Jewelry White Island gemstone beaded ring is one of our newest creations. It is a cluster of faceted black agate stones that measures about an inch and a half in diameter. This ring is not for those who are cautious with their fashion; rather it is for anyone who wants to make a strong, bold statement with their jewelry. I have a special place in my heart for the White Island ring, because it is the first piece of jewelry I have made that uses a bit of metal wrapping – so I consider this a personal accomplishment as well! This ring is dramatic, strong, and large…for me, it has almost a vintage feel to it which I attribute to both the cut of the stones and the way the cluster forms a solid dome of stones.
Some of the things that I believe make this ring truly stand out are the name, weight, sound, and adjustable setting. To begin I will talk about the name. White Island for a black ring – yes, I know it seems a little strange. While looking at 
the gemstones, Kristin and I were discussing what they brought to mind. I looked at the solid black color and the movement created when the light reflected off the faceted sides of the stones and immediately thought of volcanic rock. There is something dramatic, intense, and amazing about volcanoes – they are an ever-changing work of art. Volcanoes are strong and dark and somewhat of a mystery. Searching for volcanoes, the images of White Island came up and we were both taken aback at its unique beauty – an island and a volcano – one large, dark mass of rock, standing alone. Just perfect. Plus the name White Island to describe a black ring…well, that just sealed the deal!
Next, the weight and sound…for me, these two factors go hand in hand. When you slip this ring on, you immediately feel like you are wearing something special and you want everyone to see. I found myself constantly looking at it on my finger, which means it is just as dramatic for the wearer as 
it is for those who see it being worn. Add to that visual intensity the soothing sound of the stones as they move slightly and you truly have sensory experience which is what any good piece of jewelry should give you.
Lastly, the adjustable setting…I was not sure how I felt about an adjustable setting at first, but then I put it on my ring finger and LOVED the way it looked. Next, I put it on my middle finger and LOVED the way it looked. Of course, I then put it on my pointer finger, and yes, you guessed it, I LOVED the way it looked! I immediately thought of outfits in my closet and how I could wear it on different fingers for a unique look and appeal. So, for me, the adjustable setting really just adds to the overall versatility of this great beaded ring.
Obviously I am in love with it – not only because it is a great-looking ring but more importantly because it is a great quality ring. I hope you enjoyed my sneak peek at the new JoCoCo beaded ring – look for it to be available for purchase in February when we upload our new Spring collection!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and the beginning of a wonderful New Year!
Adriana M Dehring
How the Waterford Rhapsody Got Its Name
When Kristin and I first started getting everything together for Jococo, one of the things that we discussed in length was how we were going to name the jewelry. We wanted to be sure that the name of each piece evoked a certain feeling and emotion that complemented and enhanced the look, cut and color of the gemstones. Because we both have traveled – and would love to travel more – we knew immediately that the names would be cities, towns and islands around the world that we have either experienced first-hand or have on our “would love to visit” list.
That was the easy part, then we started to break it down even further and made a list of gemstones and where they are most often mined. It seemed to start getting complicated – do we base the name on where the gemstones come from only or do we think of the look of the piece and what city you might see it in? With all of this up in the air, we just sat back and decided to let ourselves be inspired. The amazing thing is that once earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings were created, we were immediately inspired and would come up with a name. Our criteria was a good starting point, but in the end, it is a combination of everything – the overall look of the jewelry, the gemstones themselves, the colors – each aspect of our handmade pieces plays a role in how they are named, which makes them even more special. Kristin and I name our jewelry with as much passion and enthusiasm as any other process of creating and making the jewelry.
The Waterford Rhapsody is obviously a tribute to Ireland – a place that I was fortunate enough to backpack with my sister many years ago and which I would recommend to everyone to visit at least once. You may think Ireland, of course. But why Waterford specifically? Well, a history of glass making that is over 200 years old makes Waterford known essentially for it’s crystal. Gorgeous crystal that sparkles with every cut in the glass, elegant and timeless pieces that are both exquisite for the most special occasions, yet strong enough to be used every day. By taking all of these characteristics and applying them to a piece of jewelry, you end up with the Waterford Rhapsody. The green tones are fresh and energizing, the faceted stones sparkle, and the piece itself is the perfect blend of simple and elegant, not to mention that as a Rhapsody it is made the appropriate length to be worn as both a necklace or bracelet. Versatile and incredibly beautiful, Jococo’s Waterford Rhapsody brings a little piece of Ireland and a little touch of elegance to your wardrobe.
The Waterford Rhapsody is also a part of our Green line, which donates a percentage of profits to Plant A Billion Trees, so you can look good, and do good at the same time!
Merry Christmas! Until next time…
Adriana M Dehring
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