Your fiancé’s diamond engagement ring needs to be perfect. That means it must be original and unforgettable. San Diego jewelry designer Carl Blackburn works with La Mesa couples to create their dream ring. Over the past 25 years, he has designed hundreds of dazzling engagement rings, wedding bands, and bridal jewelry.
Carl meets with his La Mesa clients from his boutique jewelry store C. Blackburn Jewelers in La Jolla. The creation of your engagement ring begins with a friendly meeting where you’ll discuss the kind of ring you’d like designed. If you are unsure, Carl will present you with many different ring styles to consider for the creation of your custom ring.
What you can be sure of is that regardless of the style of your diamond ring, it will have all the hallmarks of the finest engagement ring — from its hand-craftsmanship to the quality of the diamond and/or other precious gemstones.
"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." - Cory O.
Carl WIll Work Within Your Budget
Carl Blackburn always will work within your budget. The affordability of your La Mesa engagement ring is just as important to him as it is to you. Your ring will be tailored to your specific budget with never any pressure to overspend.
While some La Mesa couples may initially believe that a custom engagement ring is financially out of reach, Carl offers diamond engagement rings that accommodate tighter budgets.
Although the initial design investment for a custom ring may be higher, Carl offers you cost savings in the following ways:
1. You’ll pay less for natural diamonds thanks to Carl’s extensive wholesale international diamond network. The price of your diamond also will be lower because Carl applies only minimal markups from the wholesale price.
2. You’ll be given the option of setting your engagement ring with lab-grown diamonds. This will save you 80-90% compared to the price of identical natural diamonds. Further information can be found in our article on San Diego lab-grown diamonds.
3. Carl can save you money by creating your custom La Mesa engagement ring with precious gemstones, such as sapphires or rubies, or budget-friendly semi-precious stones like aquamarine, blue beryl, or morganite.
Carl Blackburn's diamond engagement rings are widely recognized for their beautiful handcrafted detail, such as fine milgraining and filigree.
What Ring Styles Do You Work In?
Carl Blackburn is recognized nationally for his skill in designing vintage-inspired engagement rings. His exquisite designs have been featured in leading jewelry industry publications, as well as on the cover of Better Homes & Gardens’ Weddings issue.
Carl’s inspiration isn’t limited to historical jewelry eras like Art Deco and Edwardian. He has traveled widely in Europe and Asia, and draws inspiration from the global world of art, architecture, and fashion.
As an alumnus of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Jewelry Design Program, Carl possesses a comprehensive understanding of engagement ring design. He tailors his original designs to perfectly complement the specific cut of the diamond or precious gemstone in the ring. He would love the opportunity to create a ring in your preferred style.
How Long Does It Take to Receive My Engagement Ring?
After Carl gets your final approval of the resin model of your engagement ring, it takes another 2-3 weeks to produce your handcrafted ring — cast in 14k, 18k, or platinum.
The time it takes from your initial meeting with Carl to produce the wearable resin model is usually 1- 2 weeks. So, we tell our La Mesa customers that the complete time-frame for the design and delivery of a ring is usually around 4 weeks.