We just delivered this lovely pendant, set with the diamonds from several treasured family pieces, to a very happy client. Her son had us make the pendant to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary, so it was a very nice occasion to deliver the new piece– both son and mother loved the new piece and she left our shop with tears of happiness in her eyes. Read the rest of this entry »
This beautifully made amethyst intaglio ring from ancient Rome, carved over 2000 years ago by master carver Hyllos, resides in the famous Hermitage Museum of St. Petersburg, Russia. Featuring the head of Apollo, it reminds us very much of this magnificent amethyst intaglio ring that resides in our estate case. Read the rest of this entry »
As our country debates the role of firearms in our society, this small pendant is a poignant example of how gun violence affects American families.
A couple came into our store and the wife asked us if we could make something from a memento they had– and then she told us about their experience of a drive-by shooting. Read the rest of this entry »
We’ve been working hard this season creating pieces based on our original designs and one-of-a-kind jewelry. So what’s the difference between a one-of-a-kind and a designer original? Read the rest of this entry »
One of the missions Robert M. Shipley defined when he created the Gemological Institute of America was to rectify incorrect practices in the jewelry and gem business. One of the most common of these is the use of trade names and misnomers for gemstones. Read the rest of this entry »
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 »
Topaz and Citrine Lookalikes