
24 May CAD Rendering: Visualizing Your Dream Ring or Fine Jewelry
Seen Above: CAD Renderings of a Custom Diamond Ring with Sapphires on the Shoulders, from C. Blackburn Jewelers
When it comes to creating a custom ring, there’s a lot more to the process than simply picking a stone and setting. At C. Blackburn Jewelers in La Jolla, the journey of bringing your vision to life involves both artistic craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology.
Two crucial tools in this process are jewelry rendering and CAD (Computer-Aided Design). Understanding how these work can give you confidence and clarity, as you collaborate with jewelry designer Carl Blackburn to create your one-of-a-kind ring, pendant, earrings, or bracelet.
What Is Jewelry Rendering?
Jewelry rendering is the process of creating a detailed, lifelike image of a piece of jewelry before it is made. This image is typically generated using specialized software that simulates materials, lighting, and textures.
A jewelry rendering allows you to see what your custom design will look like in realistic detail. From the brilliance of a diamond or colored gemstone to the intricate filigree of a vintage-inspired setting, every element is represented visually so you can make informed decisions before production begins.

What Is CAD in Jewelry Design?
CAD stands for Computer-Aided Design. It’s the backbone of modern custom jewelry creation. At C. Blackburn Jewelers, CAD technology is used to build precise 3D models of your custom engagement ring or fine jewelry. These models are not just artistic representations; they are technically accurate blueprints that guide the entire manufacturing process. CAD allows the designer to adjust proportions, symmetry, and structure to ensure that every detail of your jewelry is perfect.
How Jewelry Rendering and CAD Benefit You
Custom jewelry is a deeply personal investment, and both rendering and CAD give you the power to be part of the design process from concept to creation. Here’s how these technologies make a difference:
Visualization: See exactly what your piece will look like before it is made. No guesswork, just a clear, high-quality image of the finished product.
Precision: CAD ensures that the proportions, stone settings, and metalwork are technically accurate and structurally sound.
Customization: Easily make changes to the design based on the renderings. Want a slightly larger center stone or a different setting style? Adjustments are simple at this stage.
Confidence: Knowing exactly what to expect gives you peace of mind. You can approve every aspect of your design with confidence before moving to production.

A Beautiful Diamond
Carl Blackburn helped me create the perfect engagement ring. He found a beautiful diamond and side stones to my exact specifications at an excellent price, then guided me through the process from start to finish. My fiancé loves the ring, and it was appraised professionally at a value substantially higher than what I paid for it.
Truly Fantastic!
Carl is our family’s new go-to jeweler. He is truly fantastic! Carl is extremely professional and a true expert that knows his craft. He gives honest and well sought after advice and delivers a remarkable product in a timely manner. He patiently guided my fiancé and I through the process of a customizing an engagement ring/wedding band set and we couldn’t be happier. I highly recommend Carl and his shop!
Close Attention
Right from the start the experience with Carl was amazing. He paid very close attention to detail for every step of the process and was more than accommodating to make sure the ring that was custom made for my fiancé was top tier and was exactly what I had hoped for. I could not ask for a better experience for a custom made engagement ring. From the beginning Carl was professional and punctual and takes his skill very serious to provide exactly what you want. 10 out of 10.
I’m Grateful
Yesterday I received an education in gemstones, the jewelry making process and jewelry design! Carl spent 3 to 4 hours of his valuable time with us discussing gemstone identification and value. He was extremely professional, knowledgeable, and patient! I was truly impressed and left his shop with the feeling that he is honest and trustworthy. He would absolutely be my first choice to have a piece of jewelry designed and purchased! I really cannot say how grateful I am for the knowledge he imparted to us! It was well worth the drive!
The Perfect Ring!
My (now) fiancee and I went to many different jewelers on our search for the perfect ring, and while we liked many of the other jewelers, none of them offered anywhere near the personalized service or competitive prices that Carl offers. He made us truly feel at home shopping for the perfect ring. He took the time to explain all of the different options within our price range, including detailed explanations of the ‘three C’s’. He helped us to identify the perfect ring and had it made for us well ahead of schedule. I cannot give him a better recommendation! Do yourself a favor and start your search with him.
A Dream Experience!
Designing our custom engagement ring with Carl was a dream experience! Carl was able to seamlessly combine our desired design elements into the perfect ring at a fraction of the price of other options. He guided us through all of the steps of the process and made sure to check in with us throughout the development. We can’t wait to come back for our wedding bands.
Carl Was Awesome
I brought in a couple of legacy rings with diamonds of different sizes in the summer of 2023 and Carl was able to consult how he would repurpose the diamonds into a design that fit both what I was looking for and on a very reasonable budget. Those diamonds were combined with a new diamond, matching the existing cut, to create a beautiful engagement ring and wedding band that I (and more importantly) and my now fiancee loved. The process included CAD workup of the rings, a wax model, and then the finished product. Carl was awesome throughout and was a pleasure to work with!
Absolutely Stellar!
Had an absolutely stellar experience with Carl at C. Blackburn Jewelers. My fiancé custom designed his wedding band, and Carl made it come to life. His wedding band looks incredible, and we are so happy with the final product. The ring was completed quickly which was very nice. Carl is very informative and kept us updated along the process. I highly recommend, and will come back again!
A Dream of a Ring
Thank you so much, the ring is perfect and she loves it. You literally made the dream of a ring we had in mind and then more!
A Very Unique Ring
Carl was able to help me take a very unique concept of a ring, and work with me step by step create to an amazing final product. Even though this engagement ring was quite unorthodox, Carl was ready for the challenge and absolutely nailed it! My future wife LOVES it. Thank you Mr. Blackburn!
Very Comfortable
Carl made a custom ring that my fiancé and I couldn’t be happier with! He was always professional and responded promptly to emails. He made me feel very comfortable going to him with any revision request and was able to execute exactly what I envisioned. I plan to reach out to him when the time comes to design wedding bands and would recommend him to any and everyone who is looking for an engagement ring!
VIP Treatment
Carl made my platinum wedding and engagement ring. We designed it together and my hubby and I are in love with it! I have brought two friends to him and he is amazing, and gives the VIP treatment every time!
So Helpful & Knowledgeable
I could not recommend Carl Blackburn more. Did a custom engagement ring with him and he was so helpful and knowledgeable throughout the entire process. He’ll never try to upsell you and he’ll work with you until you get the ring exactly the way you want it. We went to a couple big box jewelers before him and you know what they can have all the fancy display cases they want, but they’re not gonna provide you anything close to the type of service and quality and that you get by working with Carl. Highly recommend!
Very Communicative
Carl is simply the finest jeweler in Southern California. I called him in a frenzy a few months before my proposal. I had just received some disappointing renders from a different jeweler regarding the design I had created for my partner’s engagement ring. I was in search of someone who could really create and honor a vintage design. Immediately, I was blown away by Carl’s knowledge, expertise, and confidence in being able to deliver exactly what I wanted to create. His demeanor calmed my nerves and got me excited about the process.
Carl helped me along every step of the way. He was very communicative and responsive and demonstrated his years of experience at every turn. From sourcing and selecting the perfect vintage stone to refining the final design for the ring, every aspect of the process got me more and more excited about the final product. I couldn’t have been more thrilled with how the ring came out, and my partner loves looking at it every day. She couldn’t believe the amount of detail and craftsmanship that Carl was able to pack into a single piece.
There’s no reason to go to anyone else. If you are looking for a great jeweler who can deliver a beautiful and authentic piece at a fair price, Carl is your man!
Visit with Carl Blackburn Today
At C. Blackburn Jewelers, Carl Blackburn brings decades of design expertise and a passion for personalized service to every project. Whether you’re designing an engagement ring that tells your unique love story or a custom pendant that celebrates a milestone, rendering and CAD technology ensure that your piece is as perfect in reality as it is in your imagination.
Combining old-world artistry with modern innovation, C. Blackburn Jewelers transforms your ideas into heirlooms that will be cherished for generations. Book a consultation today to begin your custom jewelry journey with Carl Blackburn and experience the beauty of bespoke design, powered by the precision of rendering and CAD.
Call us at 858-251-3006 or send a text message to 619-723-8589. You can also contact us by email via the contact from below.