Willow Brook Christian Communities

Willow Brook residents Bob & Lois Johnson, scions of the Johnson family of jewelers who bring the Diamond Cellars stores to Columbus brought their neighbors a special gift this past Christmas.  It was the opportunity to view three incredible ornaments designed and created by Bob and their son Jeff as Christmas gifts for Lois.  We were awestruck by the intricate detail and, contradictory as pieces made of gold and precious gems may sound the quiet beauty of the pieces on display.

The nativity scene

Each figure – the baby Jesus in his cradle, Mary praying, Joseph with his staff, a shepherd boy holding a lamb, and another lamb standing beside him - was first carved into wax and then individually cast in 14 carat yellow gold.  It was then finished to give the minute details – from facial features and the drape of the clothing to the texture of the hair.  Beside the manger, in an opened chest, is a 1.14 carat, flawless diamond.

The outer area of the ornament is made of spun 14 carat yellow gold wire with the nativity scene sitting inside.  At the top of the ornament, representing the Star of Bethlehem, is a 5.05 carat round, brilliant diamond surrounded by 13 smaller round brilliant diamonds with rays of 14 carat white gold extending into the scene below.

The ornament is about four inches wide and seven and a half inches tall.  It is now part of the family’s personal jewelry collection and will never be sold.

The Christmas Tree

The nativity scene Christmas ornament designed by Jeff and Bob Johnson was such a huge hit in 1982 that in 1984 they designed and handcrafted a Christmas tree.  It is so heavily detailed that it required 1100 hours of work from start to finish.

The 8.5-inch tall 14k yellow and green gold tree was made similar to how an artificial tree is constructed:  each limb was cast in green gold and then individually attached to the trunk.  The needles of the tree’s limbs and the limbs themselves cross and bend just as they would in nature.

A garland of 516 seed pearls wraps around the tree and the ornaments are made of 14k yellow gold set with a variety of gemstones, diamonds and pearls.  There are even small, golden candy canes hanging from the garland, and small 14k white and yellow gold candles sitting upon the branches.  Each close look reveals another hidden treasure in the limbs.

The tree topper is magnificent, with a 14k white gold star set with a five-carat round brilliant center diamond and five smaller round brilliant diamonds set at each point of the star.

Below the tree, what looks like draped fabric is highly-polished 14k yellow gold.  Sitting on top of the gold “fabric” is a sled with twisted 14k wire for the roping, an unopened gift box made of 14k yellow gold with 14k white gold ribbon and bow.  A taller, opened gift box with the beribboned lid sitting beside it display a diamond solitaire engagement ring inside.

The Christmas tree and the nativity scene ornament were both displayed at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in 1984.

The Wreath

Wanting to do a final piece following the Christmas theme, designers and craftsmen Bob and Jeff Johnson decided in 1986 to handcraft a 14k green and white gold wreath.  This design took a thousand hours of time to complete.  The wreath is approximately 8.5 inches in diameter and has 133 individually die-struck 14k green gold holly leaves standing from their stems above a circular gold base.

Representing the holly berries are 28 round reddish-orange carnelian beads.The leaves of the wreath are a beautiful frame for the focal point of the piece, a candle rising from the center bottom with a sparkling ribbon flowing from the bow.  The candle is made of 14k white gold with a matte finish and shows the candle “wax” dripping down its side.
Representing the candle flame is a gemstone specifically located and cut for this purpose:  a 5.50 carat caramel-colored African tourmaline.  It was cut to resemble the dancing flame of a candle as you look at it from different angles.  The bow is made of 14k white gold and contains 378 round brilliant diamonds with a total weight of approximately 26.5 carats.