Wednesday, November 11, 2009
We just finished this challenging ring in time for Veteran’s Day. 50 diamonds pave’d into white gold accent this rose gold ring that celebrates the Famous Flier’s Wall of the Mission Inn in Riverside. Follow the whole project on the Mardon Blog
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Recently, we had a real treat in purchasing a large group of estate jewelry items- many pieces were enameled, of European make. The enamels shown above feature the technique commonly referred to as “French” enameling, where the enamel is fired directly onto the face of the item as a final decorative touch. Even the fangs […]
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
This wonderful brooch/watch hanger with it’s portrait of a lady within a flower is quintessential Art Nouveau, expressing the romantic link with nature in a dreamy yet realistic style. The enamel has survived one century in perfect condition, probably due to it’s heavy construction. The enameling technique is superb, of subtle pink and flesh tones […]
One of the hottest gems on the market in recent years has been the natural spinel. New finds in Tanzania and Vietnam have stimulated excitement in the gem trade for this sleeper gem. Long thought to be a type of ruby, the spinel in not well known to the public. In truth, this hot coal […]
Our client wanted a large wearable ring for her 8 mm diamond, with peirced work and floral elements reminiscent of Victorian and Edwardian times. We found a great matched pair of padparadscha sapphires as accents. Hand engraving was the key to making this design sing- see the finished product on the Mardon Blog!
Actually, more often than not, it is hers and his- we made her custom natural alexandrite and diamond engagement ring first. Then we made her matching wedding band. Then we made a custom wedding band for him, based on the her design. It’s really fun when both bride and groom are involved in the design […]
This gorgeous 6.85 ct. moonstone from Sri Lanka exhibits perfect adularescence. Moonstones like this are sometimes called Adularia, after their discovery near the Adula Mountains of the Swiss Alps. Adularescence is also referred to as schiller (shiller), and is caused by alternating layers of albite and orthoclase feldspar interfering with light. Interestingly, the more closely […]
We just completed this challenging design to the delight of our client. Read the rest of the story, Custom Jewelry Takes a Slow Boat to China, on the Mardon Blog
One of the skills we learn as gemologists is how to evaluate damage to gemstones. Most jewelers know that diamonds can be repaired or recut, but what about other gems, like this emerald? Emeralds are usually enhanced with oils or resins, complicating the process. Our Blog, Recutting Emeralds tells success stories of three different emeralds, […]
This bracelet is an example of what I call slow jewelry. Made from two sterling silver butter-knives, the design flowed from the the actual shape of the knife blades and the unusual malachite stone – it’s puffy shape and cross-grain cut reminded me of the body of a sphinx moth freshly emerged from the chrysallis. […]