November 19th, 2011 by James L. Sweaney, CGA, FGA. GG

The latest addition to our Famous Raincross Collection of fine jewelry is simply stunning! We think our fine silver pendant wonderfully captures the unique style and bright colors of the orange crate art from the heyday of California citrus. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: CAD/CAM, citrus colony, enamel, Magick, orange crate labels, Viszu
Posted in Featured Post, Mardon Exclusive Jewelry, Mardon Happenings | Comments Off on Mardon Introduces New Citrus Heritage Raincross Jewelry
November 10th, 2011 by James L. Sweaney, CGA, FGA. GG
We want to thank our loyal friends and fans who once again voted Mardon the Best Jeweler in Riverside for the third year in a row! Read about it in the annual Press Enterprise Reader’s Choice supplement in today’s paper. We truly appreciate your support! Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Estate Jewelry, Gem Industry News, Jewelry Facts, Jewelry Services, Mardon Exclusive Jewelry, Mardon Happenings | Comments Off on Mardon voted Best Jeweler- Again!
October 29th, 2011 by James L. Sweaney, CGA, FGA. GG
Wife Kaye just created this charming necklace for a client, using relatively inexpensive materials including the baroque ammolite center, a freshwater cultured pearl, glass beads with copper and silver wrapped wire. This particular lady likes play-of-color, asymmetry and a slightly funky look for not a lot of cost– Kaye captured her wishes perfectly! Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Alberta, ammolite, ammonite, calcentine, Canad, Custom Jewelry, korite, Tucson Gem Show, wrapped wire
Posted in Custom Jewelry, Gemstones, Jewelry Facts, Jewelry Services, Mardon Exclusive Jewelry | Comments Off on Ancient Future Necklace
October 21st, 2011 by James L. Sweaney, CGA, FGA. GG

Recently, we’ve had the pleasure of working with some outstanding vintage Art Deco jewelry. We appraised this wonderful diamond and black onyx ring which features two large Old European cut diamonds, both approximately 1 3/4 cts, both eye clean, near colorless and well matched. Imagine some flapper gal dancing the night away in a Roaring 20’s speakeasy wearing this striking piece, the epitome of the cocktail ring!
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Tags: Art Deco Jewelry, black onyx, bright cut, filigree, hand engraving, milgraingin, Old European cut diamond, platinum, Roaring 20"s, Vintage Jewelry
Posted in Estate Jewelry, Featured Post, Gemstones, Jewelry Facts, Jewelry Services | Comments Off on Double Deco Delights
September 15th, 2011 by James L. Sweaney, CGA, FGA. GG

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.
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Tags: Estate Jewelry, Geneology, hand engraving, Silver Name Bracelet, Victorian Jewelry, Vintage Jewelry
Posted in Estate Jewelry, Jewelry Facts, Jewelry Services | Comments Off on Geneology in Silver-Restoring a Family Bracelet
September 3rd, 2011 by James L. Sweaney, CGA, FGA. GG

.96 ct. Broken Old European Cut Diamond
Our client sadly thought this family heirloom .96 ct. Old European cut diamond had little or no value– after years of wear, it had been cherished almost to death and looked like it had been through the garbage disposal. Mardon to the rescue!
A close inspection in our gemological microscope revealed that while the stone was badly chipped on 3 sides, the heart of the diamond was intact, and in fact, was of very good quality, well worth saving. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Antique Cushion, Diamond Grading, GIA, Old European Cut, recutting diamond, recutting emeralds, Ruby, Sapphire
Posted in Estate Jewelry, Featured Post, Gemstones, Jewelry Facts, Jewelry Services | Comments Off on Repairing Broken Hearts and Broken Diamonds
August 13th, 2011 by James L. Sweaney, CGA, FGA. GG

1.24 ct. Ruby Engagement Ring
Celebrity brides are becoming known by their engagement ring choices, and the colored gemstone ring is very much in the limelight. Princess Kate, in the wedding of the decade, wore “The Ring“, her famous heirloom sapphire and diamond ring, Penelope Cruz is setting style with her sapphire and diamond ring, and Jessica Simpson is stunning in her gorgeous ruby and diamond ring.
There is no question that the colored gem engagement ring makes a statement of style and individuality, but there are other compelling reasons to make this your choice, including beauty, rarity, durability, and of course, affordability.
Compared to diamond, a truly beautiful colored center stone is well within reach of most couples. This wonderful 1.24 ct. natural unheated ruby appears in size like a one carat diamond, yet its price is much less than half that of the diamond. The price of a better (not best) quality GIA certified one carat round diamond, say SI1 H color, is about $7000 just for the diamond. The total price of our 14K ring including 1.24 ct. ruby, and .39 ct VS-SI near colorless diamonds, $2450! Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: emerald, natural alexandrite, Padparadscha, pink sapphire, Ruby, Sapphire, spessartite garnet, spinel, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, unheated ruby
Posted in Custom Jewelry, Featured Post, Gemstone of the Month, Gemstones, Mardon Exclusive Jewelry | Comments Off on Colorful Engagement Rings are Center Stage
August 1st, 2011 by James L. Sweaney, CGA, FGA. GG
Just a reminder that the annual Press Enterprise Reader’s Choice voting ends this coming Friday, August 5.
Tags: PE Readers Choice
Posted in Mardon Happenings | Comments Off on Reader’s Choice Vote, Counting Down
July 30th, 2011 by James L. Sweaney, CGA, FGA. GG

We always love the stories that go along with our jewelry, especially the ones about the special engagement or wedding rings of our customers. I just received this picture via email from a client in London, England, showing the magnificent ruby his bride is now wearing. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Burma ruby, colored gem engagement ring, Engagement Ring, pigeon's blood red, pigeon's blood ruby, Princess Kate
Posted in Custom Jewelry, Estate Jewelry, Featured Post, Gemstones, Jewelry Services, Mardon Exclusive Jewelry, Mardon Happenings | Comments Off on Fashion Forward Engagement Ring with Pigeon’s Blood Red Ruby
July 16th, 2011 by James L. Sweaney, CGA, FGA. GG

Want to own a piece of historical art jewelry? We are pleased to showcase this wonderful handmade Modernist brooch/pendant of 18k yellow gold set with diamonds and a fabulous red fantasy cut tourmaline weighing 10.05 carats, created by the brilliant lapidary artist, Bernd Munsteiner. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: American Gem Trade Association, Atelier Munsteiner, Bernd Munsteiner, Modernist, Patrick Irla
Posted in Estate Jewelry, Gem Industry News, Gemstone of the Month, Gemstones, Jewelry Facts, Jewelry Services | Comments Off on Vintage Modernist Munsteiner Jewel