11 May Custom Rings & Jewelry Designs in San Diego
At C. Blackburn Jewelers of La Jolla, the style of custom jewelry design we are most recognized for is vintage. Our owner Carl Blackburn creates vintage-inspired jewelry designs that draw inspiration from the past, and often include design elements from different eras, as well as intricate details such as filigree or engraving. These pieces have a sense of timeless beauty and nostalgia.
However, as a GIA trained jewelry designer, Carl is familiar will all styles of custom jewelry design, and is happy to work with anyone to create stunning and original custom jewelry. He works every week with couples throughout San Diego County to create custom engagement rings and bridal sets that are beautifully one-of-a-kind, while also being surprisingly affordable.
You’ll find Carl Blackburn to a San Diego jewelry designer who is laid-back, friendly, and a great listener — always following closely the ideas you have for creating your dream ring or other item of fine jewelry.
If you are on a tight budget, Carl offers a variety of options to make your custom jewelry more affordable without sacrificing the beauty and originality of your piece. Set up an appointment to have an relaxed and informative chat with Carl about your custom jewelry by leaving him a voicemail at 858-251-3006.
Custom Ring Styles to Consider
When thinking about creating your dream engagement ring or fine jewelry, it’s often a good idea to research various styles of jewelry design, because even though you may have a good idea of the kind of design you want, there may be an even better style that enchants your eye and appeals to your heart.
Here are a few styles that are currently popular in San Diego, which you may want to research further online. If you do find a style you love, save the images to your phone and bring them with you to show Carl Blackburn during your visit to C. Blackburn Jewelers in La Jolla.
Victorian: Victorian-era rings and jewelry were characterized by intricate designs and symbolism, reflecting the tastes and sentiments of the time. Early Victorian pieces often featured romantic motifs like hearts, flowers, and serpents, crafted in gold with gemstones such as emeralds, rubies, and diamonds.
Renaissance-inspired: Renaissance-inspired custom jewelry designs draw inspiration from the art and fashion of the Renaissance period, featuring ornate details like filigree, cameos, and pearls. These pieces often have a romantic and elegant feel, and are perfect for special occasions like weddings or anniversaries.
Tribal: Tribal custom jewelry designs are inspired by indigenous cultures from around the world and often feature bold, abstract patterns and natural materials like wood or bone. They are perfect for adding a touch of bohemian style to any outfit.
Gothic Lolita: Gothic Lolita custom jewelry designs combine elements of gothic and sweet Lolita fashion, featuring cute and feminine details like bows, lace, and ribbons, combined with dark, gothic imagery like skulls or crosses.
Artistic: Artistic custom jewelry designs are unique and often one-of-a-kind, incorporating unusual materials or experimental techniques. These pieces are created as wearable art and are designed to express the artist’s vision and creativity.
Personalized: Personalized custom jewelry designs are made specifically for the individual, incorporating elements such as their name, birthstone, or other meaningful symbols. These pieces often have sentimental value and can become family heirlooms.
Classic: Classic custom jewelry designs are timeless and elegant. They often feature simple shapes and clean lines, with emphasis on the beauty of the gemstones or metals used. Classic designs are versatile and can be worn for a variety of occasions.
Art Deco: Art Deco custom jewelry designs are inspired by the glamour of the 1920s and 1930s. They often feature geometric shapes, bold colors, and intricate metalwork, and are perfect for adding a touch of vintage style to any outfit.
Nature-inspired: Nature-inspired custom jewelry designs draw inspiration from the natural world, featuring motifs like leaves, flowers, and animals. These pieces often incorporate natural materials like wood, pearls, or gemstones like emeralds or rubies.
Modern: Modern custom jewelry designs are sleek and minimalist, with clean lines and geometric shapes. They often feature unusual materials and bold colors, and are designed to make a statement.
Ethereal: Ethereal custom jewelry designs have a dreamy, otherworldly quality, often featuring delicate filigree, floral motifs, and pastel-colored gemstones like opals or moonstones. These pieces are often inspired by fairy tales and fantasy.
San Diego Custom Rings & Settings
There are of course other categories of custom rings and jewelry than the ones listed above. Here are additional categories to be aware of when thinking about creating a custom ring with a San Diego jewelry designer. A few of the most important are as follows:
Floating Diamond: A custom floating diamond ring is a style which Carl Blackburn of C. Blackburn Jewelers specialize in (see video above). This kind of diamond ring requires a great amount of skill from both the designer and the craftsperson. A floating diamond ring gives the impression that the diamond is “floating” or suspended in the air, without any visible means of support. This unique setting creates a modern and minimalist look that highlights the beauty of the diamond without any distractions.
Solitaire: A custom solitaire ring is a classic and timeless style that features a single gemstone set in a simple band. The focus is on the beauty of the gemstone, which is often a diamond but can be any other gemstone as well.
Halo: A custom halo ring features a center gemstone surrounded by smaller diamonds or gemstones in a halo design. This style creates a stunning, sparkling effect that can make the center stone appear larger than it actually is.
Three-Stone: A custom three-stone ring features three gemstones, typically arranged in a line. The center stone is often larger than the two side stones, creating a visually appealing balance. This style is often chosen to symbolize a couple’s past, present, and future.
Vintage: A custom vintage ring often features intricate details and ornate metalwork. These rings have a timeless and romantic feel and are perfect for those who love antique or vintage styles.
Stackable: A custom stackable ring is designed to be worn with other rings, often creating a unique and personalized look. These rings can be customized with a variety of gemstones and metal finishes to create a truly unique look.
Eternity: A custom eternity ring features a band of gemstones that go all the way around the ring, symbolizing never-ending love and commitment. This style is often chosen as a wedding band or anniversary gift.
Cluster: A custom cluster ring features multiple gemstones arranged in a cluster or floral design. This style creates a unique and eye-catching look that is perfect for those who want something a little bit different.
Signet: A custom signet ring features a flat surface on the top of the ring that is engraved with a design or initials. This style has a long history and is often chosen for its sentimental value.
Promise: A custom promise ring is a symbol of commitment between two people. These rings often feature simple designs and are meant to be worn every day as a reminder of the commitment between the couple.
Cocktail: A cocktail ring is a large and dramatic ring that is designed to be worn for special occasions. These rings often feature large, bold gemstones and intricate metalwork, and are perfect for adding a touch of glamour to any outfit.
Why Buy a Custom Ring in San Diego?
There are many reasons why someone might choose to get a custom ring, especially in San Diego, where there are so many talented jewelry designers. Here are the most common reasons we have heard from our clients:
Unique Design: A custom ring allows you to create a unique design that is personalized to your style and preferences.
Sentimental Value: Custom rings often have sentimental value, whether they are created to commemorate a special occasion, represent a personal milestone, or honor a loved one.
Perfect Fit: A custom ring is created to fit your finger perfectly, ensuring that it is comfortable to wear and won’t slip or slide around.
Quality Materials: With a custom ring, you can choose high-quality materials that will last a lifetime. This can include precious metals like gold and platinum, as well as high-quality gemstones.
Customizable: Custom rings are highly customizable, meaning that you can choose everything from the metal type and gemstone to the shape, size, and style of the ring.
Value: Custom rings can often offer better value than store-bought rings because they are made to your exact specifications and don’t have the same overhead costs associated with mass-produced jewelry.
Ethical Sourcing: With a custom ring, you can ensure that the materials used to create the ring are ethically sourced and environmentally responsible.
Handcrafted: Custom rings are often handcrafted by skilled artisans, which means that they are made with care and attention to detail.
Family Heirloom: Custom rings can become family heirlooms, passed down from generation to generation as a symbol of love and commitment.
The Custom Engagement Ring and Jewelry Design Process
Every jewelry designer in San Diego follows a similar process when designing custom jewelry and diamond engagement rings. However, the process will vary a bit depending on whether you are building a piece from your imagination, or if you want the jewelry designer to work from the photo of an item you have fallen in love with. Let’s say it is the latter (as is very often the case), and that it is an engagement ring you would like to create. When you work with La Jolla jewelry designer Carl Blackburn the process in general would go like this.
1) The first step is to send Carl a picture or video (if you have one) of the particular engagement ring that you recently fell in love with. Then you can discuss whether you would like Carl to make that exact ring for you, or make a modified version of it. At that point you can also discuss budget, as that will determine the size and quality of the stone(s) we will use, the choice of metal, etc.
2) After you and Carl have agreed on what kind of custom engagement ring will be built, Carl will prepare some initial sketches for you to look at. Depending on what the design entails, these will either start out as pencil sketches, or Carl may go straight to mechanical drawings on the computer. Either way, the important thing is that you and Carl work out all of the key features of the custom ring design in this stage, before he moves on to creating the 3D CAD design.
3) Once the 3D CAD ring design has been created, Carl will send you a short video of it, so you can see every angle of the ring in 3D. Once you approve the 3D CAD design, he will print out a 3D CAD model in wax, and send this to you for approval. The wax model will allow you to hold the ring in your hand, try it on your finger, and get a real feel for how the finished piece will turn out.
4) After you approve the wax model, Carl will then make your custom engagement ring.
Depending on the complexity of the design, the entire process usually takes 4 to 8 weeks (or 2 to 4 weeks for non-vintage designs).
If you do not have a picture or video of that engagement ring that you fell in love with, then Carl will have to do a little more work in the beginning to find something similar to what you have described to him.
As your custom jewelry designer, Carl always wants you to have complete confidence in the design process. Therefore, he provides every client with his mobile number, and you are free to call him directly at any time. He is always happy to answer your questions and fill in any blanks for you, so that you have a complete understanding of the jewelry design process.
Call Carl Blackburn at C. Blackburn Jewelers today at 858-251-3006 to discuss the custom ring or custom jewelry that you would like to create. You also can send him an email by using our contact form.
