Mardon Jewelers at the Mission Inn

Extra Fine 7 ct. Ceylon Sapphire in Mardon Custom Ring

Blue sapphires are found in many countries worldwide. The geological conditions in which they form determine the quality of the sapphire crystals. Some locales are known to produce exceptionally fine crystals, yielding extra fine gems. Each locale produces a range of gem material that shares common characteristics that are directly related to its unique geology.  The unique characteristics of each source allow us to classify many sapphires by their country of origin.

Country of origin can have a  significant effect on the value of a gemstone, especially when the stone is large and of fine quality. A certificate of origin from a top lab like GIA or GRS can make or break the sale of a fine stone. Determining the origin of a blue sapphire may be as straightforward as expert examination in a gemological microscope of inclusions and other characteristics, but it can require more sophisticated spectroscopic and other high level testing available only in the top labs. Read the rest of this entry »

The characteristics of any gemstone are directly related to the crystal from which it is cut, so it’s important to understand how the physical nature of the crystal influences the color of  the gem. In the case of blue sapphire, one of the more common crystal forms is an elongated six sided dipyramidal form, as shown below.

Well Formed Sapphire Crystal

Sapphire crystals form in the hexagonal system, with the long axis (z) intersected at 90 degrees by six axes (x,y) rotated 30 degrees apart. In this crystal, the z axis centers the crystal from long point to long point, and the six flat sides of the dipyramids are perpendicular to the x & y axes Read the rest of this entry »

Classic Blue Natural Sapphire

Our clients often ask “What is the best color blue sapphire?” There are two answers– the obvious is that personal preference should dictate your color choice. Every person has unique abilities to perceive color, based on such things as age, health, culture and genetic gifts. Some people prefer light pastel colors, others prefer rich intense colors. The best color for you is the one that pleases, stimulates, or excites you!

The more complicated answer has to do with gem grading and market preferences, the physical characteristics of natural sapphires, the geological sources of sapphire including Ceylon, Burma, Kashmir, Madagascar, Thailand, Australia, and Montana, and the various methods of color enhancement and heat treatment of sapphire. We’ll begin by discussing gem grading and market preferences.

Color is a very complicated phenomenon in gemstones, presenting many challenges for gemologists and gem traders. We begin by grading the color of blue sapphires in terms of hue, tone, and intensity– for a thorough discussion of color grading gems, visit the color grading page at our Gallery of Gems. Read the rest of this entry »

5.69 ct. Burma Peridot

A couple of years ago, a local attorney’s wife was in our store, browsing some colored stone jewelry in the estate case. I asked if she had any favorite gemstones– “none in particular”– so I asked about her birthstone.  She replied “Oh, I don’t like my birthstone, it’s peridot.” Read the rest of this entry »

Custom Peridot Pendant

Last August, our client, Meryl, was in our store getting a ring sized when she mentioned that she had never liked her birthstone, the peridot. A challenge like that is hard for a jeweler and gemstone lover to refuse, so I showed her this grand 5.o6 ct. peridot from Burma. She was delighted and entranced by the beauty of this wonderful gem– and it matched perfectly with the beautiful new sweater outfit she planned to wear to her son’s wedding in January.

I quickly sketched out and presented a design for a white and yellow gold pendant surrounded by diamonds.  The white sparkle and fire of the diamonds, set in white gold, accent and contrast the color of the center gem.  I also suggested some unusual pierced work along the undersides of the piece. She loved the concept and gave us the go ahead. Read the rest of this entry »

Art Nouveau Watch Hanger

One of the great things about the jewelry business is that every so often, we get to see and handle truly wonderful jewelry and gemstones. This classic Art Nouveau enameled brooch is exquisite– the sculpting of the woman’s face is delicate and lifelike while the swirls of her hair and the floral elements are beautifully expressive of the vitality of life.  The delicate pink opalescent enamel, still in perfect condition after 100 years, is wonderfully shaded, and the face and flower petals are carefully accented by precise painted enamels.

Read the rest of this entry »

7.56 ct. Burma Peridot

We often hear statements like “I don’t like my birthstone” from folks born in August. In most cases, these people have never seen a really good peridot,  so we make it our mission to show them gorgeous gems like this magnificent Burmese Peridot.

Read the rest of this entry »

Only 5 days left to vote for your favorite merchants, food, entertainment, etc.

Nice Violetish Blue Natural Spinel

As a followup to yesterday’s blog, I thought it would be nice to show another side of the spinel family.  This lovely 4.28 ct. spinel is chemically a bit different than the classic red stones we looked at yesterday– spinels are members of a family of minerals, all of which are oxides of 2 metals.  The reds are oxides of magnesium and aluminum.  This gem is probably gahnospinel, an oxide of zinc and aluminum, although it may have a bit of magnesium as well.

Read the rest of this entry »

Magnificent 5.55 ct. Natural Spinel

A few years back, we found this gorgeous red gem for a close friend.  She wanted a rich dark red stone and being a true princess, she wanted it big and dramatic. Rubies of this color and clarity are astronomical in price, usually reaching at least six figures. Even though hubby was very successful, the price of a good ruby put him into sticker shock. Our perfect solution was this fabulous natural spinel from Vietnam.

Custom 18K Ring with 5.55 ct. Vietnamese Spinel, by Mardon

Read the rest of this entry »