Family Bracelet Before Restoration

Wife Kaye recently worked with a local family to renovate this heirloom bracelet, composed of sterling silver panels, strung on a ribbon, each hand engraved with the initials of a family member. Judging by the style, the bracelet probably was started around the late 1800′s or so– the most recent person on the bracelet was a grandmother.

After close inspection, Kaye discovered the original ribbon was velvet with all the nap worn off. She couldn’t find velvet ribbon, but after some searching, was able to find a nice sturdy ribbon that was similar in dimension and color to the original.

With a little silver cream and some elbow grease, the silver came to life! Add the new clasp and voila, a wearable heirloom! Kaye’s client was thrilled.

Note that although the panels had significant differences in style, indicating different manufacturer and perhaps period, they were all designed to fit the same dimension of ribbon. The obvious differences in the initials show the different hand and skill of the various hand engravers who contributed to the bracelet. We thought it very interesting how this wonderful object records the family history, a progression of jewelry makers and craftsmen, and the passage of time.

If anyone has information about this type of bracelet, we’d love to hear from you– Just email or post in comments!

Mr. Beep Beep

We just acquired this wonderful vintage gold pin, exuberant with whimsy and imagination. If you have ever seen an actual roadrunner running along, you know that in addition to moving their feet very quickly, they also bob their long tail up and down to catch their balance. Ours does too!

The ingenious goldsmith who created this great piece was able to capture the essence of the road runner beautifully.  Mr. Beep Beep cruises along, his bright red ruby eye scanning for something tasty to eat or a place to hide, his tail a-bob, feet reaching for speed- compare the position of the front foot and the tail in this side by side image. The left photo shows Mr. Beep Beep in full stride with tail up, the right shows foot and tail down– and the really neat thing is that the parts move together.

You can see from the second photo that the movable foot and tail, both hinged separately, are linked by a little lever so they move in unison.

We think the 14K gold piece is Modern period, perhaps vintage 50′- 60′s or so. He’s really causing havoc in our vintage jewelry case, so please, someone, come in and take him home– He’s sure to draw attention, and you can make up your own stories about his escapades!

We are always looking for interesting vintage estate jewelry like this– bring us the items you wish to sell– our expert gemologists can value your pieces and offer a fair price at no charge to you. You know at Mardon, we’ll be sure to find your pieces a happy home!

Carved Fire Agates

A service we offer is finding rare gemstones. One of my “quests” at Tucson 2010 was for an unusual stone for a client who owns a stable of Tennessee Walking Horses. One of his horses is a World Grand Champion, so he was interested in a ring he could wear that would bring attention to his stable and horses and allow a bit of bragging as well.

My client had seen a horse-shoe ring with a center diamond carved in the shape of a horse head and thought that might be a good place to start. My idea was that we could do something truly outstanding and noteworthy by using a colored gemstone, so he agreed to give it a try.

We were able to locate these extraordinary carved horse heads of fire agate by master fire agate carver Joe Intili. These are “quarter size” stones, ideal for a large and dramatic man’s ring or an outstanding bolo tie.

The stone on the right actually has been named by its owner, Bob Beaudry– he calls it the “The Strawberry Roan.” Like other famous fire agates, this one certainly deserves a nickname. This museum quality gemstone is one-of-a-kind, absolutely unique and irreplaceable, 100% natural and untreated, and of course truly American– it was discovered at the mine on Slaughter Mountain, Arizona.

The Strawberry Roan

Even if the artist were to carve the exact same shape, the nature of fire agate means that no two stones are alike or even close! Notice Joe’s deft touch with the material– the eyes on these carved gems look right at you!

My client passed on the Strawberry Roan– turns out he is color blind and couldn’t really appreciate the beauty of these gems. I guess diamond with it’s sparkle and dancing light is a better choice for him.

Even if you are not in the market for an exotic and rare gem like this (and these days, many of us are not!), Mardon offers many unusual gifts for Dad, from affordable items from our famous Raincross Collection or the William Henry studio starting around $150, to unusual estate pieces, and outstanding custom designed creations. If Pop is a sentimental old softie, give him your portrait or a favorite picture in precious metal. Just don’t forget dear old Dad- he deserves your best!

Last spring, a long time client wandered in to the shop and was mesmerized by a fine Cartier Tank Francaise wristwatch in our estate department. Her wistful looks and careful consideration of the watch as well as our conversation convinced me that  she was going to buy the watch, or at least prod her husband into buying it for her– she had a birthday coming up. However, weeks and then months went by and we heard nothing.

Early this season right before Thanksgiving, another long time client came shopping for a 40th birthday present for his wife. He wanted a stylish high quality watch that would suit her very active lifestyle. Right away, the Cartier, with its waterproof stainless steel case and scratch resistant sapphire crystal, leaped to mind. He loved it, the price was right, so he put down a deposit on the watch and had me hold it for the birthday. At the time, I didn’t think about it, but client #2 was the brother-in-law of client #1.

You guessed it– in early December, client #1 and hubby came in together. She looked in the estate case said “Where’s my watch?” Of course, we had to tell her it was sold (it was in the safe!)– she was very disappointed. Hubby, a pretty savvy guy, said “My brother-in-law told me he has something on hold at Mardon”– I tried to keep a straight face, but they knew immediately. What could I say, other than to offer to provide another Cartier like the first one– and of course, she wasn’t having any! She was not smiling when they left.

When #2 picked up the watch a week later, I gave him a heads up– he laughed and said the story is like something from an episode of Seinfeld. When he left, he was working out the details of how to break it to his wife that she was getting her sister-in-law’s watch.

I worried and fretted for days about precipitating a family squabble. Later, when wife of #2, , came by (beaming!), to have her new watch adjusted, and #2 told me that things worked out just fine, I breathed a sigh of relief. Since then, we’ve seen #1 and hubby as well, and we’ve all had a chuckle.

Of course, now #1 is looking for a better watch. Life is good!

The second sale is still in the works, so keep smiling, hold the thought and stay tuned– I’ll post in a few days. The story is worth waiting for.

This may be the oldest item in our estate department.  It’s a silhouette portrait pin in 14K rose gold that probably dates to the early 19th century.

Silhouette jewels were crafted of black paper or card cut in profile, which was then attached to or cemented on to a base of light colored material such as ivory, bone, wood or porcelain.  A glass cap covers the work, which is set into a bezel. Details and touchups were sometimes added in India ink.  These pieces were greatly in vogue during the early years of the United States, especially from 1790 to 1840, because paper cuts were much less expensive than formal portraits done in oil paint or jewelry enamels.  The advent of photography around 1840 ended the popularity of the silhouette.  During the late 19th century, the silhouette portrait was popular in mourning jewelry.  Today, the art of the paper cut remains as a nostalgic way to capture the likeness of a loved one—silhouette artists still ply their trade at fairs and amusement parks, and are especially popular at weddings.

Even though it’s well over 100 years old, our silhouette pin, I-17346, has survived in very good condition and is priced at $495.  Its timeless style makes is an excellent accent for a suit jacket or a casual sweater or blouse. Talk about a conversation starter!

Note the beautiful rich color of the 18K gold and the soft matte surface. Bloomed gold simulates the look of 24K gold.  Besides Art Nouveau, it’s often seen on the “Revival” pieces of the Late Victorian period where the look of ancient high karat gold is sought.

Early in my career as a goldsmith, I learned the basic technique of leaching out the copper on the surface of both silver and gold alloys using repeating heating and quenching of the metal into standard jeweler’s pickle (a warm, slightly acidic solution).  This technique is not too predictable and can create problems with the metal because of the repeated heatings.  Other techniques use acids, iodine, and various nasty chemicals including cyanides.  Later in my training, I studied with an elderly German goldsmith who showed me another way using potassium nitrate and other salts—much better results but toxic fumes required doing the technique outside or under a fume hood.  Different techniques all create subtly different looking surfaces—some actually recrystallise the surface of the gold alloy.