13 Jan A Custom Engagement Ring Story from La Jolla
When people search for a custom engagement ring in La Jolla or San Diego, they usually start by looking at photos. Pinterest boards. Instagram saves. Screenshots of rings they like.
But some of the most meaningful engagement rings don’t begin with pictures at all. They begin with stories, memories, and the small details that make one person unlike anyone else.
That was exactly how Peter and Sara’s ring began — and it also began with a story that started more than twenty years earlier.
This is the story of how Carl Blackburn of C. Blackburn Jewelers in La Jolla designed a completely one-of-a-kind custom engagement ring and wedding set from nothing more than personal meaning, a few heartfelt ideas, and a single Zoom call.
A Custom Engagement Ring That Began 20 Years Earlier
More than two decades ago, Peter’s father proposed to his wife with a vintage-style, floral-inspired engagement ring made by Carl Blackburn. That ring became part of their family story — not just a piece of jewelry, but a symbol tied to a moment, a memory, and a chapter of their lives.
So when Peter decided it was time to propose to Sara, he and his father began searching online for a jeweler who could create something just as meaningful.
To their surprise, they discovered that the same Carl Blackburn was still designing and making rings, now at C. Blackburn Jewelers in La Jolla, California.
Even more surprising? Carl was still designing rings the same way he always had: personally, thoughtfully, and completely from scratch.
Because Peter and his father live in Washington state, the entire project would be done long-distance. No showroom visits. No in-person meetings. Just one Zoom call, followed by a series of phone calls, texts, and emails.
For a truly custom engagement ring designer in La Jolla, that was more than enough.
Designing a Custom Engagement Ring Without Reference Photos
During their first Zoom meeting, Peter didn’t bring a folder of inspiration images.
Instead, he said something much more challenging — and much more meaningful:
“I don’t really have pictures. I just know what Sara loves.”
Then he explained the four things he wanted the ring to be built around:
- Sara loves to play the violin, and he wanted a motif that symbolized that
- Sara loves baby’s breath flowers, like the ones you see in wedding bouquets
- Sara loves laurel wreaths, like those found in old university architecture
- Sara loves history, especially the Renaissance period and vintage design from that era
No photos. No examples. Just four emotional and symbolic anchors.
The job was not to assemble design elements.
The job was to translate a person into a custom engagement ring.
From Ideas to Sketches: The Custom Engagement Ring Design Process
A truly bespoke engagement ring at C. Blackburn Jewelers usually begins the same way: with hand-drawn sketches. This stage is about getting the soul of the ring right before worrying about the engineering and moving on to CAD illustrations.
Carl’s first step was to create several completely different concepts, each exploring a different way of interpreting Peter’s ideas. These weren’t technical drawings. They were design explorations — focused on feeling, balance, and overall character.
Peter reviewed these early sketches and chose the direction that resonated most.
Then Carl refined it.
And refined it again.
And again.
They eventually arrived at Version 5 (see image above) — the one that finally felt right.
Turning Personal Meaning Into a One-of-a-Kind Wedding Set
Once the overall form was established, Carl began focusing on each symbolic element and making sure it wasn’t just included — but beautifully integrated.
The Violin Motif: A Renaissance “F-Hole”
Rather than using a literal violin or musical note, Carl chose something far more elegant and historically grounded: the “F-hole” shape from the body of a violin.
This detail dates back to the Renaissance period, when the modern violin was first developed in Italy.
It was essential that this element:
- Had the correct historical proportions
- Felt sculptural and rounded, not flat or graphic
- Looked like it belonged to the ring, not applied on top of it
This single detail tied together Sara’s love of music and her love of history in a subtle, sophisticated way.
The Baby’s Breath Flowers
Instead of carving literal flowers, Carl interpreted baby’s breath as tiny bead-formed blossoms, each with a diamond at its center.
This gave the ring:
- Texture
- Softness
- A light, delicate rhythm across the surface
And most importantly, it kept the design timeless rather than overly literal.
The Laurel Wreaths
The laurel wreath motif — a symbol of learning, honor, and classical tradition — was incorporated through hand engraving along the band.
This makes the detail intimate and discoverable. It’s something you notice when you’re close, not something that shouts from across the room.
The Renaissance-Inspired Structure
To unify everything, Carl designed the ring in a Renaissance-inspired style, featuring:
- Varying sizes of milgrain trim and beads
- Sculptural transitions between elements
- And exaggerated spheres at the base of each shoulder
These larger spheres, along with the oversized eagle-claw prongs holding the center diamond, give the ring a presence reminiscent of Renaissance-era Florence — the world of Leonardo da Vinci and the birth of many classical forms.
From Sketch to CAD: Bringing the Custom Engagement Ring to Life
After the final hand-drawn design was approved, the ring moved into the CAD illustration stage (see image above). This allowed Peter to see the ring in precise 3D detail before it was ever made.
From there, the ring was crafted using the same philosophy Carl has always followed:
Build it like it’s going to become an heirloom.
Every surface, every curve, every transition was considered. Nothing generic. Nothing rushed.
The Moment It All Becomes Real
Before shipping the finished ring, Carl sent Peter a video of the completed piece.
Then came the proposal.
And later, the photos of Peter and Sara — the moment when an idea, a story, and a design finally became part of their lives.
Why Couples Choose C. Blackburn Jewelers for Custom Engagement Rings
Many jewelers offer “custom” rings that begin with a preset or a modified catalog design. That is not how Carl Blackburn works.
At C. Blackburn Jewelers in La Jolla, a custom engagement ring means:
- The design starts from a blank page
- The ring is built around the couple’s story, not a trend
- Every proportion, detail, and surface is intentionally designed
- The result is a ring that feels personal, timeless, and impossible to duplicate
This approach is exactly why Peter and his father felt comfortable moving forward, even from another state.
What This Custom Engagement Ring Story Really Shows
This is not just a story about a beautiful ring. It’s a story about how a custom engagement ring should be created:
- Not from templates
- Not from trends
- Not from a catalog
But from what truly matters to the person who will wear it.
Looking for a Custom Engagement Ring in La Jolla or San Diego?
If you’ve been thinking: “I don’t know what ring I want. I just know what we love.” That’s not a problem. That’s the perfect place to start.
At C. Blackburn Jewelers in La Jolla, Carl Blackburn specializes in designing bespoke, heirloom-quality custom engagement rings and wedding sets for couples who want something meaningful, personal, and timeless.
Whether you’re in San Diego, La Jolla, or across the country, the process is the same: start with your story, and build the ring from there.
If you’re ready to create a custom engagement ring that is truly yours, reach out to Carl Blackburn — and start with what matters most.
📞 Call 858-251-3006 or text 619-723-8589.
