Mardon Jewelers at the Mission Inn

Many people don’t know about their individual birthstone but really should learn more.  The birthstones for every month of the year are lively and impressive for sure. Much like the astrological signs and people’s assimilation with their own zodiac placement, an individual’s birthstone can say so much about the person born during this month.

For those who don’t know their birthstone, the generally accepted list is as follows: Read the rest of this entry »

Some people have a hard time finding jewelry they like that can accommodate their special needs.  Usually they wear rings that are comfortable as compared to stylish.  Other people have fingers shaped more like a snowman, where the knuckle is larger than the place where a ring rests.  This can be because they are very slim, or have knuckles enlarged from injuries or arthritis.  The ring has to be sized large enough to go over the knuckle, but once it’s there it has a tendency to spin around and make a nuisance of itself.  Often knuckles swell, and the ring is painful or difficult to remove. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s important to remember that jewelry style tips for teenagers differ from those meant for an adult. As a general jewelry buying guide, it’s a good idea to wear styles designed for the wearer’s age and according to the season. Read the rest of this entry »

While beautiful jewelry sparkles and shines, keeping it beautiful can sometimes be a challenge. Things we encounter everyday, from natural to man-made, can steal the sparkle from jewelry and gem stones without proper care. Read the rest of this entry »

Today, more and more brides are choosing colored gems for their wedding jewelry, a trend we love and appreciate. We just made this sweet white gold engagement ring, set with diamonds and an absolutely beautiful Benitoite. Read the rest of this entry »

Mardon is proud to introduce the FireMark Princess Diamond to our community. We know this very special diamond will quickly make fans because of it’s outstanding beauty and value.

A recently granted U.S. Patent protects the unique features that separate FireMark from all other Princess cuts. A true gemological breakthrough, FireMark’s innovative cutting results in unprecedented sparkle. Read the rest of this entry »

Natural colored gemstones come from rare mineral crystals that are found within the earth’s crust. Mother Nature “cooks” various ingredients according to her own unique recipes into crystals of different sizes, shapes, colors and physical properties. For centuries, man has sought out and fashioned these treasures into dazzling objects of beauty and value.

Because of their great rarity and value, gems have traditionally been sold by weight. As a result, gem cutters usually cut to retain a maximum amount of weight from the rough material rather than to craft the most beautiful gem. Read the rest of this entry »

A recent appraisal exemplifies the challenges we face in our appraisal practice. A young doctor contacted us, anxiously inquiring if we were qualified to appraise Rolex watches. He wanted to return a watch he purchased on the internet, but the vendor required a written appraisal from a qualified appraiser. The client had shown the watch to several Rolex dealers who told him the watch was not a Rolex. We’re not watchmakers, but frequently value Rolex watches for insurance. We also buy Rolex watches for resale in our Estate department. Read the rest of this entry »

In the course of buying estate jewelry, we run across some very interesting and unusual pieces- witness this necklace that appears to be a rather ordinary Star 0f David, embellished with center round brilliant diamond and single cut diamonds on the points. We didn’t notice the mechanism when we bought the piece but later discovered that the Star opens up to make a simple diamond necklace. Not the greatest design, but definitely not a star. Read the rest of this entry »

We just finished this beautiful custom engagement ring that showcases a spectacular green garnet, highlighted with trapezoid shaped diamonds and set in 18K yellow gold.

The center stone is a rare green garnet from Africa, known as Tsavorite. These lively and brilliant green wonders of nature are a variety of grossular garnet  discovered by gemologist Campbell Bridges in the late 1960’s along the border region of Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Read the rest of this entry »