
19 Feb Art Nouveau Jewelry Buyers
Are you looking for a San Diego antique jeweler who buys and sells Art Nouveau jewelry? C. Blackburn Jewelers of La Jolla is among the few San Diego jewelers who specialize in buying Art Nouveau jewelry, as well as Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian jewelry.
Owner Carl Blackburn is a 2nd generation estate jeweler who is knowledgeable in many Art Nouveau jewelry designers, such as René Lalique, Georges Fouquet, and Louis Comfort Tiffany. You can talk with Carl directly by leaving a message 858-251-3006 or sending him an email via our contact page. Tell him about the Art Nouveau jewelry that you would like sell or buy, and he will get back to you shortly.
Art Nouveau was an influential artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th century and lasted until the outbreak of World War I. It was characterized by flowing lines, organic forms, and a sense of whimsy and fantasy. This style was applied to many different mediums, including architecture, furniture, and of course, jewelry.
Art Nouveau jewelry was notable for its unique aesthetic and its departure from the traditional styles of the time. Prior to Art Nouveau, jewelry design was dominated by the Victorian and Edwardian eras, which favored elaborate and heavily ornamented pieces that were often encrusted with gemstones. In contrast, Art Nouveau jewelry emphasized the natural beauty of materials and the skill of the craftsman.
One of the key features of Art Nouveau jewelry was the use of curved, organic lines. These were inspired by natural forms, such as the shapes of flowers, plants, and animals. Art Nouveau designers sought to capture the essence of these natural forms and express it in their jewelry designs. This often resulted in pieces that were asymmetrical and irregular, with flowing lines and intricate details.

Careful Inspection
I recently sold a lot of fine jewelry that I had inherited from my mother. I chose C. Blackburn because I wanted the pieces to find new homes, rather than be melted down or taken apart. Carl careful inspected and considered each piece before pricing it. He explained the quality of the gold in each piece, the techniques used to craft the pieces, and what went into his pricing. He appreciated the sentimental value of the items and actually had buyers in mind for several of them. I felt that he gave me a fair price the first time I came in, so I returned with additional items to sell a few weeks later. I’d highly recommend C. Blackburn for selling and buying estate jewelry.
A Straight Shooter
I met with most of the Jewelers around La Jolla and no one was as knowledgeable or as helpful as Carl was to me. Carl Blackburn is a straight shooter and someone you can trust. C. Blackburn Jewelers will forever have my business and recommendation to all of my network for any future jewelry business.
Genuine & Friendly
Being at a downsizing stage of life, I decided to sell as much of my jewelry as possible, and luckily, I came across C. Blackburn Jewelers. I was scared of getting scammed and cheated. Carl had me sitting with him while he examined and evaluated my jewelry. He did not take it into a back room and tell me to return on another day.
He worked methodically and very professionally, answered all my questions, kept my expectations realistic, explained what he was doing as he worked. We also had a very pleasant conversation – he is down-to-earth, genuine, and friendly. I trusted him without hesitation. I was very pleasantly surprised by the outcome and felt I was very fairly treated. I was relieved that the process was stress-free, thanks to Carl’s very professional manner and his genuine friendliness. I recommend him highly, without reservation.
Wonderful!
We had a wonderful selling experience with Blackburn Jewelers. We had about 50 pieces of jewelry from our mom’s estate to sell, and owner, Carl Blackburn, was so amazing. He was professional, courteous, and informative. Many jewelry buyers will simply put all the jewelry on the scale, deduct out the approximate ‘gem’ weight, and offer the ‘melt’ value less their percentage. Carl took time examining each individual piece, and kept a notebook with the details and his offer price. He verbally detailed each piece letting us know exactly how he derived his offer price. He was very transparent and fair. At the end of the appointment, we left extremely satisfied with our sale, and very pleased with the overall experience. I highly recommend Blackburn Jewelers for all of your jewelry sale needs.
Another hallmark of Art Nouveau jewelry was the use of non-traditional materials. Rather than relying solely on precious metals and gemstones, Art Nouveau designers incorporated a wide range of materials into their work. This included materials such as horn, enamel, glass, and even insect wings. This allowed for a greater range of color and texture in the jewelry, as well as a sense of playfulness and whimsy.
Art Nouveau jewelry also emphasized craftsmanship and handwork. Many pieces were made by hand, with intricate details and delicate filigree work. This was in contrast to the mass-produced jewelry of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, which relied heavily on machines and factory production. Art Nouveau designers believed that the beauty of a piece of jewelry came not only from the design, but also from the skill and artistry of the craftsman who created it.
One of the most influential Art Nouveau jewelry designers was René Lalique. Lalique was a French jeweler who began his career in the 1880s. He quickly became known for his innovative designs and his use of non-traditional materials. Lalique often incorporated natural motifs into his work, such as flowers, insects, and animals. He also experimented with techniques such as enameling, which allowed him to add intricate details and vibrant colors to his pieces.
Another notable Art Nouveau jewelry designer was Georges Fouquet. Fouquet was a Parisian jeweler who opened his own shop in 1895. His designs were characterized by their boldness and their use of unusual materials, such as carved ivory and horn. Fouquet often incorporated mythological and fantastical motifs into his work, such as dragons, mermaids, and fairies.
Art Nouveau jewelry was also popular in other parts of Europe, particularly in Austria and Germany. In Vienna, the Wiener Werkstätte was a collective of designers and craftsmen who produced a wide range of Art Nouveau jewelry, as well as other decorative arts. The Wiener Werkstätte was known for their use of geometric shapes and their emphasis on craftsmanship and quality.
In Germany, the Jugendstil movement was a Germanic version of Art Nouveau. Jugendstil jewelry was characterized by its flowing lines, organic shapes, and the use of non-traditional materials. Jugendstil designers often incorporated images of the natural world into their work, such as flowers, birds, and insects. They also favored simple, elegant designs that emphasized the natural beauty of the materials.
Art Nouveau jewelry had a significant impact on the world of jewelry design. Its emphasis on craftsmanship and handwork helped to elevate jewelry-making from a commercial enterprise to an art form. Carl Blackburn of C. Blackburn Jewelers deeply understands the value of that art form. As a leading San Diego County jewelry buyer for 10+ years, he has paid clients throughout San Diego the highest possible cash amount for antique Art Nouveau jewelry.
Get a free cash quote today by calling 858-251-3006 or send us a message below.
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Recent Estate Jewelry Buys
Browse a collection of C. Blackburn Jewelers’ recent purchases of vintage, antique, and estate jewelry.