Mardon Jewelers at the Mission Inn

We posted this about a year ago–with the tough economy, this insider information is more pertinent than ever, so we’ve tweaked the original post a bit and reposted.

In their quest for the best value, consumers looking to buy a diamond often make the mistake of giving equal weight to diamond grading certificates. Diamond grading certificates/reports are issued by various laboratories for the purpose of identifying, measuring and weighing, and grading a particular diamond. The different labs are generally payed by diamond merchants for this service.

One problem is that even though the various labs all use pretty much the grading system or language developed in the 1950’s by the Gemological Institue of America (GIA), they each have their own internal methods, standards and skill levels. Also, some of the labs are profit making and are closely affiliated with the firms for who they work–and this relationship is not always apparent to the ultimate consumer. The reports/certificates may look very similar, but the quality of the information can vary significantly.

Consumers tend to shop by comparing prices using the grades stated on grading certificates as their basis of comparison. The grading reports all look the same and have what appears to be the same information, so this seems like a safe way to shop prices.

One stone graded SI1 F by one grading laboratory sells for 30% less than a stone of similar weight graded SI1 F by another grading laboratory, so you buy the less expensive stone. You’d be stupid to spend more than you have to, right? The grading paper says it’s the same as these other stones, must be true, lots of dollars, good deal, right? Read the rest of this entry »

2008 was certainly a year to remember (or forget)!  We hope that you and yours are well and that 2009 is brighter and better for everyone.  We at Mardon Jewelers want to thank you, our loyal customers and supporters, for keeping us going in the midst of very tough times—without you, our business cannot exist.

The good thing about these difficult times is that they force us all to look at our lives and try to do better. Over the last year, we’ve worked very hard to streamline and innovate our business to offer you better value while maintaining our famous Mardon quality and uniqueness.

In 2009, look for:

• – Lower Mardon custom design fees—now~30 to 40% less.  We’ve invested in an efficient state-of-the-art CAD/CAM system so custom jewelry designs are more affordable and better than ever!
• – The new Mardon Jewelers Website is packed with features to make your shopping experience not only easier but also more interesting and enjoyable. Coming soon: the new Gallery of Gems!
• – GemGuide jewelry appraisals—Our new state-of-the-art software means your appraisals are more accurate so you don’t buy more insurance than you need.
• – 3-D Precious Portraits—A new line of custom jewelry items that celebrate your family, your life, your special moments! See an example on our previous Blog entry.

We ask you to:

• – Remember Mardon when you need a special gift for a special occasion.
• – Check our prices when you’re shopping for a diamond or gemstone—we’d love to compete for your business. Our diamond and colored stone values and service are the best you’ll find.
• – If you’ve had a great experience with Mardon, tell your friends, family, and neighbor.  If your experience left something to be desired, please tell us—we promise to do better.

For the upcoming Valentine’s holiday, come to Mardon for these special values:

• – For Her, 40% off on all Heidi Klum and Peter Storm jewelry.
• – For Him, 25% off William Henry fine writing instruments and designer knives.
• – Introductory Offer—$100 off your Precious Portrait. Medium size portrait in sterling silver, regular price $350, now $250, other sizes and gold available.  Order by Feb. 1 for Valentine’s Day delivery.
• – The Heart of Riverside and other Raincross Collection items—the only full line of locally designed and produced jewelry featuring Riverside’s own symbol, the Raincross.

We thank you again for your patronage and look forward to seeing you very soon!

Sincerely,

Jim & Kaye Sweaney

Recently, I was listening to Patt Morrison of KPPC 89.3 NPR radio when the term “hexagonal diamonds” caught my attention. She was discussing the extinction of saber-toothed cats and other megafauna and the disappearance of the Clovis culture from North America with Douglas J. Kennett, a scientist at the University of Oregon, who authored a paper on an impact hypothesis just published in the journal Science.

The hypothesis advanced by Kennett and his colleagues is that 12,900 years ago, a large comet or comet cluster entered the atmosphere over North America, broke into fragments, and exploded. This sent radiant heat and a huge shock wave across the continent; incinerating plants, animals and people.  While controversial and still unproven, the idea explains three enigmatic questions: the sudden climate change known as the “Younger Dryas,”  a 1500 year period of glacial conditions, and the subsequent extinction of the megafauna of North America and disappearance of the Paleolithic Clovis culture (famous for their finely made stone spearpoints and arrowheads).

Kennett and his group base this idea on the presence of what they call nanodiamonds, tiny diamonds found in the sediments of this period. He said the formation of these diamonds required the presence of 130,000 times normal atmospheric pressure, and that some of the diamonds formed in the hexagonal crystal system.  Most diamonds form in molten rock deep within the earth’s crust as crystals of the cubic system.

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One of my favorite conversational riffs with customers is to tell them that the gold ring/pendant/bracelet/chain/tie-tac/cuff link/object that they are wearing is likely to contain a few molecules of the Pharaoh’s gold, or of the treasure of the Incas, or of Blackbeard’s loot, or even of the Ark of the Covenant, etc.  Because of the nature of gold and the esteem that mankind has for this beautiful yellow metal, we always recycle gold.

Gold is very chemically stable and is thus very durable.  Objects of gold that have been buried in the ground or laid at the bottom of the sea for centuries still display their beautiful sunny luster with almost no degradation when recovered, while other metals under the same conditions have corroded and dissolved away.  Nothing in nature does much to dull that magical gleam.

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My lovely wife and I were sitting at the dinner table reminiscing about our day, and she told me about two gentlemen who came into the store.  They had been admiring some of the new things in our front window and wanted to know the price of a very fine two carat D VVS1 emerald cut diamond set in an Art Deco platinum ring.  One guessed $6,000 (yeah, right!), but the other fellow was right on the money, guessing $30,000—actual price is $29,600.  He obviously had a good eye!
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One of the fascinating things about jewelry is how often it reflects history.  We have a very interesting pin that shows just how much our world has changed in the past two centuries– just compare this pin with the item described in our previous Blog, 3-D Precious Portraits!

This may be the oldest item in our estate department.  It’s a silhouette portrait pin in 14K rose gold that probably dates to the early 19th century.

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My daughter Jenny and I have been developing a new product for several months and just finished the first prototype. Our CAD/CAM system with ArtCam software gives us the capability to convert photographs and digital images into three-dimensional renderings on precious metal!  I decided to try making some Christmas presents to test out the technology, using some fun pictures of my friends.

Last summer, my good friend and fishing buddy Dan had a great week visiting my brother at his new lodge near Willow, Alaska, just south of Denali National Park.  On a glorious August day, we floated down Little Willow Creek on CataRafts.  We didn’t catch much at all, but friend Dan did snag this tiny 6-inch grayling – his first ever.  As a joke, I had him hold it out toward the camera so it would look bigger in the picture.  I was amazed how well we were able to capture his big grin.

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Every year in the fall, I receive the materials to prepare for my annual recertification exam.  Sigh!  All titleholders in the American Gem Society are required to pass an examination of skills and gemological knowledge annually.  The AGS hosts yearly conclaves around the USA, in which seminars and classes present the latest information on gemology and the retail jewelry business. The subject matter of the recertification exam reflects much of what is presented at Conclave.

This year, a large portion of the exam dealt with the latest techniques of diamond grading the AGS way.  Our AGS Laboratory and research team are at the forefront of diamond grading, along with sister organization the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).  The innovative AGS Diamond Grading System is probably the most advanced and stringent of all, particularly regarding cut grading.
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Harley riders are known for customizing their bikes with loads of chrome and plenty of fancy leather. We just acquired a perfect watch that will show off the rider too!

When we purchased this watch, I wasn’t familiar with the Bill Wall phenomenon—the owner offhandedly said “The bracelet is a Bill Wall original,” which went right over my head.  In researching the provenance, I was amazed by the story.

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Cameos are carvings of gem materials in which the subject carved is in positive relief from the base of the cameo, as opposed to Intaglios, where the subject is carved negatively (into the surface of the gem material).  Cameos are more often seen in jewelry objects where the beauty of the piece is foremost, the carved subject being much more visual and accessible.  Intaglios are more utilitarian, most often seen in “signet” type rings where the carving would be only be shown in relief after being impressed into sealing wax or similar materials.
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