C. Blackburn Jewelers invites you to visit our boutique jewelry store in La Jolla to discuss the making of a custom engagement ring, or to shop for vintage and antique diamond rings.
Our owner Carl Blackburn has worked with couples throughout San Diego County to create the perfect one-of-a-kind engagement ring to match any budget.
We can start with your design ideas or you can have Carl present his recommendations after discussing with you the fashion styles and ring designs your partner loves.
You also can browse our unique engagement ring showcase, which includes vintage and antique rings set with diamonds and fine gemstones.
C. Blackburn Jewelers’ carefully curated ring collection always is changing, depending on the items Carl has recently bought and sold. It often includes gorgeous engagement rings, wedding rings, and bridal jewelry from classic periods such as Art Deco, Edwardian, and Belle Époque.
Get one step closer to finding the perfect engagement ring for the perfect bride. Make an appointment to view our diamond engagement ring collection or meet with Carl to discuss the making of a custom engagement ring.
By San Diego jewelry designer Carl Blackburn, owner of C. Blackburn Jewelers. An Edwardian style “Floating Diamond” engagement ring set with an Old European Cut Diamond in the center and French cut blue sapphires down the sides. Hand-crafted in Platinum.
If you want to design your own engagement ring in San Diego, you have two options: 1) You can use a website with a tool that helps you design an engagement ring for free online, or 2) You can work directly with a San Diego jewelry designer to design a unique (one-of-a-kind) engagement ring.
The benefit of using an online tool to design an engagement ring is that you can design your ring quickly and easily. You simply choose your setting from a list of options such as solitaire, three stone, halo, or nature-inspired. Then choose your diamond shape, cut, and carat size. Then select your ring size. And voilà your engagement ring is finished and ready to be made.
The downside is that there are limits placed on your creativity when you design an engagement ring this way. And the final result isn’t really a unique engagement ring, but rather a cookie-cutter engagement ring where you chose the molds.
C. Blackburn Jewelers is owned and operated entirely by Carl Blackburn, who has been designing diamond engagement rings for over 25 years — his ring designs appearing in nearly all major jewelry industry magazines.
He is dedicated to working personally with each and every customer from the moment they walk into the door of his La Jolla jewelry store.
When working with a San Diego jewelry designer, like Carl Blackburn, you can create a truly one-of-a-kind engagement ring that rivals a work of art.
You will be close consultation with him at every step of the creative process, so as to ensure that your diamond ring is as original and beautiful as your future bride.
Some people believe that creating a custom engagement ring with a jewelry designer means a higher price tag. But that is not neccesarily the case. When you work with Carl Blackburn, you can design a unique engagement ring at price similar to (and sometimes below) what you would have paid for an “off the shelf” engagement ring or one created with a “Design Your Own Engagement Ring” tool.
The reason that Carl Blackburn’s custom engagement rings are so affordable is that the diamond is almost always the most expensive part of an engagement ring.
As a popular San Diego diamond buyer with a nationwide network of dealers in wholesale diamonds, Carl can set your engagement ring with a large diamond at a price usually lower than the diamonds sold at a large San Diego jewelry store or national online jewelry retailer like Blue Nile or James Allen.
In addition, Carl can set your custom engagement ring with a San Diego lab-grown diamond, saving you up to 90% of the cost of an earth-mined diamond. Or he can set your ring with a more affordable (but no less beautiful) colored gemstone such as Lavender Sapphire, Morganite, or Aquamarine.
A Graduate of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Jewelry Design Program and creator of the popular fine jewelry line that became Beverly K, Carl Blackburn has designed 100s of gorgeous engagement rings and wedding bands.
Schedule a free consultation with Carl at C. Blackburn Jewelers in La Jolla. Learn how he can help you design your dream engagement ring.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
At C. Blackburn Jewelers we make the process of designing your custom engagement ring both simple and creatively exciting for you. The steps we will take together are as follows.
Step 1. Consultation: Schedule a consultation with Carl Blackburn of C. Blackburn Jewelers in La Jolla. During this meeting, we will discuss your engagement ring ideas, preferences, and budget.
Bring any pictures or sketches you have of engagement rings to help Carl understand your vision. He also will show you rings from his inventory, and together you will arrive at a final design.
Step 2. 3D CAD Design: Based on your ring design, a 3D CAD (computer-aided design) rendering of your engagement ring is created. This allows you to see a digital model of your custom ring from different angles, which can help you make further decisions about the design.
Step 3: Review and Changes: You will review the 3D CAD design of your engagement ring and make any necessary changes until it meets your expectations. Carl also can make recommendations for adjustments to improve the design of your custom ring. However, he always will respect your decisions and vision for the ring.
Step 4. Material Selection: Once you have approved the 3D CAD design, you will choose the materials for your engagement ring, such as the metal and the type of gemstone. Carl can provide you with options that fit within your budget.
Step 5. Resin Model Casting: A resin model of your engagement ring is made using the approved 3D CAD design. This model will give you a more realistic idea of what the final ring will look like, see how it looks and feels on the finger, and allows you to make any final changes before the ring is cast.
Step 6. Precious Metal Casting: The production process for your engagement ring begins with the creation of a perfect wax model from the finalized 3D CAD file. This wax model is then cast into gold, silver, or platinum using the lost wax casting method.
Step 7: Setting the Stones: Once the engagement ring has been cast, any gemstones or diamonds will be set into the ring. Carl will ensure that the stones are securely set and that they are aligned correctly.
Step 8: Finishing Touches: Finally, your engagement ring is polished and any final details will be added, such as engraving or additional accents.
In most cases, your custom engagement ring is delivered 2 to 3 weeks from the time you approve the final design. Add to that some time for choosing your center stone and the design approval process, and you’re looking at about 3 to 4 weeks for most projects.
It’s important to communicate regularly with C. Blackburn Jewelers to ensure that the final engagement ring meets both of our high expectations!
Get inspired by looking at just a few vintage, antique, and Carl Blackburn custom diamond rings and engagement rings.
Learn about the history and unique beauty of the cushion cut diamonds, including possible settings to be used for a custom engagement ring in San Diego.
C. Blackburn Jewelers can source for you a wholesale diamond for your custom engagement ring. Learn about the 4Cs of diamond grading in this post.
Marquis cut diamond rings have become increasingly popular among La Jolla couples. Learn what aspects of this “navette” diamond shape set it apart from othera.