What makes opal such a fascinating gemstone? When asked what opal looks like, most people would probably first think of the typical white base opal with little sprinkles and twinkles of color. This unique display of color is a phenomenon correctly known as play of color, not fire as it is sometimes referred to. Any […]
The warm rich allure of gold has always attracted mankind, so much so that we seek it avidly and value it greatly. This precious metal is never thrown away, and always has value anywhere on planet Earth. Mardon Jewelers buys gold to recycle and uses recycled Harmony gold in all the products we make. Recent […]
We recently had the privilege to work with this wonderful group of gem opals in the 7 to 10 carat category. The top row are opals from Mexico, including the orange red Fire Opal, and the others from Australia’s famous Lightning Ridge and Coober Pedy fields. The term Fire Opal refers specifically to those Mexican […]
Blue, the color of sky, ocean, peace and tranquility has long been associated with purity and wisdom. Blue colors dominate many forms of spiritual art. Cardinals of the Catholic Church, exemplars of chastity and celestial purity, often wore rings of blue sapphire. Blue has always been an important color for mankind, so when we ask […]
This interesting and highly collectible “Prince Albert” style watch chain and fob is now on display in our Estate department. Though we have no direct provenance, because of the appearance and quality of the gem inlays and fob plus the fine craftsmanship, we’re pretty sure the piece is of California gold-in-quartz set in karat gold, […]
The characteristics of any gemstone are directly related to the crystal from which it is cut, so it’s important to understand how the physical nature of the crystal influences the color of the gem. In the case of blue sapphire, one of the more common crystal forms is an elongated six sided dipyramidal form, as […]
A couple of years ago, a local attorney’s wife was in our store, browsing some colored stone jewelry in the estate case. I asked if she had any favorite gemstones– “none in particular”– so I asked about her birthstone. She replied “Oh, I don’t like my birthstone, it’s peridot.”
A few years back, we found this gorgeous red gem for a close friend. She wanted a rich dark red stone and being a true princess, she wanted it big and dramatic. Rubies of this color and clarity are astronomical in price, usually reaching at least six figures. Even though hubby was very successful, the […]
Yesterday, a rather imperious elderly lady came into our store with husband in tow, and asked me to look at a yellow metal pierced cuff bracelet. She said “I just want to know what it is worth” (and of course, didn’t want to pay anything for the service). I began to explain that I needed […]
Within the gem trade, the color of the best rubies has for centuries been called “Pigeon’s Blood Red.” As mentioned in a previous blog, the term has actually become a grading term. Part of the way to understand this color is to know what it it not. For the most part, better rubies from Burma […]
