We’d like to thank all of you who voted Mardon the Favorite Jeweler in Riverside for the fourth year in a row! Your support and patronage makes our work most enjoyable and enriches our lives in many ways. Read the rest of this entry »
10.91 ct. Ethiopian Opal
We just acquired this gorgeous crystal opal from Ethiopia. Full of fiery reds and oranges, as well as golds, greens and purples, this beauty will be the perfect drop of color for a magnificent necklace.
While it’s been known for various unusual types of opal since the early 1990’s, Ethiopia burst onto the gem scene as a major source of quality opal in just the last few years as gem fields in the desert highlands of the Welo (Wello, Wollo, Wolo) region have proven themselves. A full description of the Welo opal, titled “Play-of-Color Opal from Wegel Tena, Wollo Province, Ethiopia, is found in the Summer 2010 edition of Gems and Gemology, the scientific journal of the GIA. Read the rest of this entry »
Repaired Opal in Art Nouveau Pin
We immediately fell in love with this sweet little opal and diamond pin of gold and platinum that was offered to us as part of an estate. A blend of Late Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Edwardian styling, the construction of fabricated platinum overlaid onto 14K yellow gold indicated the piece was made right around 1900. Read the rest of this entry »
Hand painted design rendering, circa 1930
Jewelry making is an ancient craft dating to the dawn of civilization. Prior to the mid 1800’s and the Industrial Revolution, fine jewelry of precious metals and gems was made mainly for royalty and the very rich. Today, through advances in technology, almost anyone looking for a quality piece of jewelry can afford one-of-a-kind custom jewelry. Read the rest of this entry »
Because of significant price increases for diamonds, colored gemstones, and precious metals over the past few years, we are advising many of our clients to update their jewelry appraisals and to increase their jewelry insurance to reflect current pricing. Read the rest of this entry »
Fancy Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet, 18K white gold
If you think all sapphires are blue, take another look– this gorgeous bracelet is set with in an amazing array of beautiful sapphires, from deep purple to soft green to sunset orange to bright pink to golden yellow. In the gem trade, we call these unusual colors “Fancy” sapphires. Here are some handy insider tips about buying a Fancy Sapphire. Read the rest of this entry »
Sapphire is one of the loved of all gemstones– it’s bright beautiful color, extreme durability, and rarity have made it desirable and sought after for centuries. Because sapphire comes in a wide range of quality, it’s cost can range from very reasonable to crown jewel expensive. Here are some valuable tips that will help you buy sapphire the right way and get the most for your money. Read the rest of this entry »
Mardon Jewelers was proud to participate in downtown Riverside’s Fashion’s Night Out on September 6th. A mostly young crowd filled our neighborhood with their energy and enthusiasm. Students from the Art Institute of California – Inland Empire partnered with the Riverside Downtown Partnership to create a fun experience of current Riverside fashion. Hairstyling and makeup demonstrations, marketing project designs, a fun-filled fashion show, and various fashion-related contests provided plenty of free entertainment as well as shopping ‘till 9:00. Read the rest of this entry »
7.56 ct Gem Burma Peridot
Peridot is a beautiful lively gemstone that can be quite affordable. It’s an easy gem to buy because what you see is what you get and there are lots of great Peridot gems to choose from. Here are some tips that show how a professional gem trader buys. Read the rest of this entry »
Today, the 16th Annual Sale at Mardon Jewelers begins and the Press Enterprise Reader’s Choice voting ends.
A very small independent business like Mardon must compete not only with other independent jewelers but with large retail chains like Ben Bridge and Zales, with discount warehouses like Sam’s and Costco, and with the Jewelry Mart vendors who claim to sell “wholesale” to the public. It’s tough, but we’re still here and have been family owned and operated since 1961. Read the rest of this entry »