Archive for the ‘Estate Jewelry’ Category

Vintage Modernist Munsteiner Jewel

Saturday, July 16th, 2011

Want to own a piece of historical art jewelry? We are pleased to showcase this wonderful handmade Modernist brooch/pendant of 18k yellow gold set with diamonds and a fabulous red fantasy cut tourmaline weighing 10.05 carats, created by the brilliant lapidary artist, Bernd Munsteiner.

Mardon at the GIA Symposium

Saturday, June 11th, 2011

Recently, daughter Jenny and I spent a memorable Memorial Day weekend at the 2011 GIA International Symposium. This year, Symposium was divided into two tracks, one focused on current scientific research in the field of gemology, while the other concentrated on the future of business for the jewelry industry. This year’s keynote speaker was noted […]

Restoring Antique Jewelry

Tuesday, April 5th, 2011

When we buy estate jewelry, some pieces need repair or restoration. The keys to a successful jewelry restoration are to use similar materials for replacements, to keep the original finish and patina intact, and to retain as much of the original design as possible We just finished putting this lovely late Victorian “Swag” necklace back […]

Appraising Fancy Color Diamonds

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

We just appraised this beautiful bright yellow ~2 ct. round diamond for a client. She had inherited the stone, which was accompanied by an appraisal from a gemologist which described it as a “Canary Yellow” diamond, which implied but didn’t state specifically that the stone was natural-color. Our client said the diamond had originally been […]

Our Lady Diana Ring

Friday, March 18th, 2011

We’ve just completed this gorgeous sapphire and diamond ring, inspired by the engagement ring of Lady Diana and soon-to-be Lady Kate. This basic design, where a colored gemstone is surrounded by a circlet of diamonds, has been a favorite for centuries. Since everybody and their uncle has been doing versions of the ring, we might […]

Fancy Pink Diamonds for the Holidays

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010

The gem auction world is all a-twitter over this outstanding emerald cut diamond to be offered at the upcoming Sotheby's Auction, beginning November 16 in Geneva, Switzerland. Graded Fancy Intense Pink, the diamond is also unusually high in clarity, pronounced VVS2 by GIA. Described as pure pink with no secondary hues, the pre-auction estimate for […]

Best Jeweler, PE Reader’s Choice- Mardon Wins Again!

Saturday, November 6th, 2010

We'd like to thank all of you who voted Mardon the Best Jeweler in Riverside for the second year in a row! Your support and patronage makes our work most enjoyable and enriches our lives in many ways. Look for the Press Enterprise Reader's Choice magazine in the Thursday, November 11 issue. We like to […]

Sweet Piece of L’ Art Nouveau

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

Every now and then, we see something that really excites us. Today, while working with a client on her new custom ring, we were discussing what to do with some pieces of jewelry that she doesn't use anymore. We buy cast off and damaged jewelry to recycle, as well as consigning resalable pieces. As a […]

The Rarified World of the Rarest of Gems

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

Our old friend and former colleague at GIA, Gary Roskin, has published an absolutely fascinating account of a major event at the pinnacle of the gem world. Under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institute, the most famous of all gems, the Hope Diamond, was brought together for the first time with the Wittelsbach Blue, now […]

Famous Annual Clearance Sale- 3 Days Left!

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

Those of you who have contemplated, mulled, dawdled, or just plain procrastinated about buying something during our Annual Clearance Sale, be warned– The sale is over Saturday, August 14, 5:30 PM. Don’t miss your chance to buy our first line jewelry at bargain basement prices! Get your christmas shopping done in August and save bundles! […]

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