01 Mar San Diego Jewelry Designers of Custom Rings
Carl Blackburn of C. Blackburn Jewelers is a San Diego jewelry designer who specializes in classic jewelry design, taking inspiration from vintage and antique jewelry making periods, such as Art Deco, Belle Epoque, and Edwardian. When not buying and selling estate jewelry from his jewelry store in La Jolla, Carl is designing custom engagement rings and other diamond jewelry that incorporate the hallmarks of the finest jewelry, including hand engraving, hand milgraining, and fine filigree.
Carl has designed and sold hundreds of diamond rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets, and necklaces over the past two decades — his earliest vintage-inspired collection being purchased and rebranded as the best-selling Beverley K Collection. Among San Diego jewelry designers, Carl is among a select group who has a nationwide reputation, his fine jewelry appearing in the industry’s most prominent magazines, such as JCK, Modern Jeweler, Instore, and National Jeweler.
If you are looking for a jewelry designer in San Diego, someone who can design for you heirloom quality jewelry to be passed down across generations, make an appointment to meet with Carl at his boutique San Diego jewelry store in La Jolla Cove.
Call 858-251-3006 or send a message via our contact form.
Handcrafted San Diego Jewelry
Custom Hand Milgraining
Carl Blackburn often includes hand milgraining in his San Diego jewelry designs for clients. Hand milgraining is a decorative technique used in jewelry-making to create a fine, raised, beaded edge on the surface of a piece of metal. The process of hand milgraining has been used for centuries to add intricate details and texture to jewelry designs.
The history of hand milgraining in jewelry can be traced back to ancient times when skilled artisans would handcraft jewelry using simple tools and techniques. The use of hand milgraining in jewelry became increasingly popular during the Victorian era, a period known for its elaborate and ornate jewelry designs.
To create hand-milgrained patterns on jewelry, a jeweler uses a small, pointed tool called a milgrain tool. This tool features a row of sharp teeth that can be pressed onto the surface of the metal to create small, uniform beads.
The process of hand milgraining involves a skilled jeweler using the milgrain tool to carefully press the beads into the surface of the metal. The jeweler must use a steady hand and precise pressure to create evenly spaced beads and maintain a consistent pattern. The process can be time-consuming and requires a great deal of patience and skill to achieve the desired effect.
Some San Diego jewelry designers will use machine milgraining to save time and money. But Carl Blackburn continues to showcase the art of hand milgraining in diamond engagement rings and other pieces. While the process is labor-intensive, the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into each hand-milgrained piece is what creates a fine jewelry heirloom.
Custom Hand Engraving
As with hand milgraining, hand engraving is another decorative technique that Carl Blackburn and other San Diego jewelry designers will incorporate into fine jewelry that become works of art. Hand engraving is used in jewelry-making to create intricate designs and patterns on metal surfaces. The history of hand engraving in jewelry can be traced back thousands of years to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
The process of hand engraving involves a skilled craftsman using a small, pointed tool called a burin to cut lines and shapes into the surface of the metal. The burin is held at a specific angle and pushed or pulled across the metal to create precise and detailed lines. The engraver must use a steady hand and carefully control the pressure and angle of the tool to create the desired effect.
Hand engraving was popular during the Renaissance period, where skilled craftsmen used it to create highly detailed designs on a wide range of jewelry pieces. During the Victorian era, hand engraving became even more popular, and engravers would use the technique to create intricate designs such as floral motifs, monograms, and portraits.
While hand engraving is time-consuming and labor-intensive, it allows San Diego jewelry designers like Carl Blackburn to create unique and highly detailed designs that cannot be achieved through other methods. Despite the availability of modern technologies such as laser engraving, Carl still prefers the traditional technique of hand engraving to create truly unique and personalized pieces of jewelry.
Custom Fine Filigree
Filigree is another decorative technique used the fine jewelry created by San Diego jewelry designers like Carl Blackburn. Filigree involves twisting and shaping fine metal wires into delicate, intricate designs. The process of creating filigree jewelry involves a skilled craftsman using pliers and other specialized tools to bend and shape thin metal wires into intricate designs. The wires are then soldered together to create a delicate, lacy pattern.
The popularity of filigree jewelry reached an initial peak during the Renaissance period, where craftsmen used the technique to create ornate pieces for royalty and the wealthy. The technique continued to be honed during the Victorian and Edwardian periods, and it became especially popular during the Art Nouveau movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with craftsmen using fine filigree to create highly stylized and organic designs.
Today, filigree jewelry remains a popular choice among jewelry enthusiasts who appreciate the delicate and intricate nature of the technique. While the process requires a great deal of skill, the result is a beautiful and unique piece of jewelry that showcases the craftsmanship of the San Diego jeweler.
Contact Carl Blackburn at C. Blackburn Jewelers to bring your dream jewelry to life. Call 858-251-3006 or send us a message below.
