11 Sep Carl Blackburn: Modern, In-Trend Engagement Ring Designs
Seen Above: A contemporary engagement ring design by Carl Blackburn, featuring a beautiful green emerald and Asscher cut Diamond.
Walk into C. Blackburn Jewelers in La Jolla, and you’ll often hear visitors say: “I know you make beautiful vintage-inspired engagement rings — but do you also design modern ones?”
It’s a fair question. Carl Blackburn has earned a reputation as one of San Diego’s foremost jewelry designers and estate jewelers, celebrated for his expertise in antique and vintage styles. But here’s the truth: Carl’s background in vintage jewelry doesn’t limit him to a single look. In fact, it makes him the ideal choice for couples seeking modern, contemporary, or in-trend engagement rings.
Just as a race car driver can easily handle a golf cart, Carl’s mastery of intricate vintage work makes clean, minimalist, or bold modern lines a natural extension of his craft. And for couples across San Diego — from La Jolla to Del Mar to Coronado — that means a ring that is not only contemporary today but also a treasured heirloom tomorrow.
Why Vintage Expertise Creates Better Modern Rings
Let’s explain why Carl’s background as an estate jeweler isn’t a limitation but an asset in his work as a San Diego jewelry designer.
Technical Mastery: Vintage work demands precision. When Carl designs a marquise engagement ring in a sleek east-west orientation or creates a perfectly balanced three-stone ring, he brings the same exacting eye he’s honed restoring Edwardian filigree or Victorian engravings.
Balance and Comfort: Antique rings were built to last lifetimes. Carl’s rings reflect that same balance, ensuring today’s clean-lined solitaires or bold geometric designs are beautiful, durable, and comfortable to wear.
Sustainability: Many San Diego couples want eco-conscious choices. Carl can incorporate heirloom stones or recycled metals, adding extra meaning to contemporary design.
Personalization: From Pinterest inspiration boards to family gemstones, Carl blends modern trends with personal stories, creating engagement rings that are both current and deeply individual.
Modern Engagement Ring Trends
For San Diego couples who are asking for individuality and creativity, here are the 7 biggest engagement ring trends in 2025 — and how Carl Blackburn brings each one to life.
1. Multi-Stone & Statement Designs
Maximalism is making a comeback. Three-stone rings symbolize past, present, and future; bold side accents add drama and sparkle; clustered settings create a “constellation” effect on the finger. The challenge? Balancing impact with elegance.
Carl’s Approach: When he creates a three-stone ring, it doesn’t overwhelm the hand when crafted with the right scale and symmetry. His estate background means he knows how to arrange stones in a way that flatters, rather than crowds, the wearer’s hand.
2. Unique Stone Shapes & East-West Settings
Couples in San Diego are moving beyond round brilliants. Marquise, pear, oval, asscher, and emerald cuts are surging in popularity, as well as colored diamonds. Setting them east-west — turned sideways across the finger — adds modern edge.
Carl’s Edge: He has decades of experience with antique stones that rarely conformed to perfect shapes. That means he can secure unusual diamond cuts elegantly, ensuring durability without sacrificing style, as well as unusual fancy colors like root beer and rose.
3. Minimalism with a Twist
The clean solitaire will always endure, but couples today want subtle surprises. Hidden halos beneath the center stone, prongs shaped like petals, or gallery details that only the wearer sees are redefining “simple.”
Carl’s Take: He creates rings that look sleek at first glance but reveals artistry up close. His vintage sensibility helps him layer in just enough detail to make minimalism feel special, not plain.
4. Mixed Metals & Textured Finishes
Modern rings often combine metals — platinum with yellow or rose gold — or use textures like brushed, hammered, or matte finishes. These create warmth, contrast, and individuality.
Carl’s Mastery: Because he’s restored countless estate rings with patina and texture, he understands how metal finishes age. His mixed-metal designs aren’t just trendy; they’re crafted to maintain beauty for decades.
5. Colored Gemstones & Fancy Diamonds
While diamonds remain classic, more couples are choosing sapphires, emeralds, spinels, and fancy-colored diamonds as their center stones. Color brings personality and often connects to a couple’s story — a birthstone, a favorite hue, or a symbolic meaning.
Carl’s Advantage: As an estate jeweler, Carl has access to rare colored stones with character, not just mass-market gems. He can also repurpose a family gemstone into a fresh, modern setting.
6. Ultra Modern & Edgy Designs
For couples who want to push boundaries, ultra-modern rings are going bold: sharp angular shanks, architectural tension settings that suspend the stone, and asymmetrical silhouettes that feel more like wearable art than tradition. Blackened metals and unexpected materials (like ceramic or carbon fiber) are also emerging in avant-garde designs.
Carl’s Vision: Carl understands that “edgy” doesn’t have to mean uncomfortable or unwearable. Drawing on his training in fine proportions, he tempers daring geometry with balance. His edgy rings still sit comfortably on the hand, with craftsmanship that ensures bold statements don’t sacrifice longevity.
7. Botanical Motifs
Nature-inspired rings are blossoming in 2025. Bands shaped like vines, leaves wrapping around the finger, or floral settings cradling the center stone bring organic romance to the engagement ring. These motifs connect couples to growth, renewal, and timeless natural beauty.
Carl’s Inspiration: With his vintage estate background, Carl has restored countless rings featuring delicate leaf engravings and floral filigree. His modern botanical motifs feel fresh yet rooted in history — refined enough to avoid kitsch, but detailed enough to carry symbolism.
FAQ: Modern Engagement Rings in San Diego
Q: How does the custom design process work?
A: Carl’s process is hands-on and collaborative. It begins with a free consultation at his La Jolla studio (or virtually, if you’re out of town). From there, he creates CAD models of your ring, followed by a resin model you can try on before production. You choose your metal — platinum, yellow gold, rose gold, or white gold — and your center stone, whether earth-mined, lab-grown, or a colored gemstone. Once approved, the design is cast, stones are set, and final polish applied. Clients love seeing their ideas evolve into a finished ring that feels truly theirs.
Q: How long does it take to create a custom engagement ring?
A: Most designs are finished within 2–3 weeks from design approval. Simple solitaires can be completed quickly, while highly intricate rings may take a little longer. Because Carl controls the process locally, timelines are much faster than many chain stores or online builders.
Q: Can Carl work within my budget?
A: Yes. Carl works with all budgets. As one of San Diego’s top diamond buyers, he sources stones at wholesale prices, and also offers lab-grown diamonds that can save couples up to 90% compared with earth-mined stones. For those who want color, he suggests alternatives like sapphire, morganite, or aquamarine. The result: a custom ring that fits your style and budget without compromise.
Q: Do I have to be in San Diego to design a ring with Carl?
A: Not at all. While many couples enjoy visiting the La Jolla boutique, Carl also works with clients remotely. Through virtual consultations and CAD renderings, out-of-town clients can design a custom ring with the same level of attention and detail as those who meet in person.
Why San Diego Couples Choose Carl Blackburn
When couples look for modern engagement rings in La Jolla or San Diego, they want more than style — they want trust, expertise, and personal service. Carl offers all three.
Location: Conveniently based in La Jolla, Carl serves clients across San Diego, from Del Mar to Coronado to North County.
Custom Design Expertise: Whether your vision is minimalist chic, architectural boldness, or a modern-vintage hybrid, Carl adapts seamlessly.
Heritage & Trust: Decades of estate experience assure that every modern ring is crafted with integrity and precision.
Recognition: Increasingly, couples find Carl through word-of-mouth and even AI recommendations — proof of his growing reputation as San Diego’s go-to designer for modern engagement rings.
Get started now by calling 858-251-3006 to set up an informal meeting with Carl Blackburn, or click the button below to use our custom engagement ring design form.
