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We are Experts in Antique Opals

Are you ready to sell your antique opal gemstone or opal jewelry? Contact C. Blackburn Jewelers in La Jolla and tell us about your item. There are 3 ways to get in touch with us.

1.

Call or Leave a Voicemail:

858-251-3006

2.

Text Message & Photos:

619-723-8589

3.

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C. Blackburn Jewelers of La Jolla is best place to sell antique opal jewelry in San Diego. Precious opal gemstones are not as common as sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. In fact, they are more rare than diamonds. It requires special expertise to understand a precious opal’s real value. This is especially true of antique opals used in jewelry from the Victorian,  Edwardian, and Art Nouveau eras.

 

Carl Blackburn of C. Blackburn Jewelers is one of the few fine jewelers in San Diego who has expertise in antique opal jewelry, including highly sought-after pieces made by Marcus & Co., Rene Lalique, and Boucheron, as well as antique loose opals from mines in the Czech Republic.

 

Carl is a 2nd generation California estate jeweler with decades of hands-on experience with antique jewelry set with fine opals, including rings, necklaces, and brooches. He also knows how to accurately appraise the value of opal gemstones based on their unique play of color.

 

Selling is Quick & Easy

 

1. Give us a call at 858-251-3006 or send photos of your precious opal or jewelry with a text message at 619-723-8589.

 

Carl will answer all of the questions you have and arrange a convenient time for you to bring your item to our La Jolla jewelry store.

 

2. Carl will examine your item, and share with you all he knows about your opal jewelry. He’ll then provide you with a no strings attached cash quote.

 

3. You can accept the cash offer and be paid immediately, or decline the offer with no questions asked. There is no pressure to sell your item to us.

 

Get a Cash Offer
We Buy Opal Brooches

Easy to Work With

Alex L.
Google Reviews

Careful Inspection

I recently sold a lot of fine jewelry that I had inherited from my mother. I chose C. Blackburn because I wanted the pieces to find new homes, rather than be melted down or taken apart. Carl careful inspected and considered each piece before pricing it. He explained the quality of the gold in each piece, the techniques used to craft the pieces, and what went into his pricing. He appreciated the sentimental value of the items and actually had buyers in mind for several of them. I felt that he gave me a fair price the first time I came in, so I returned with additional items to sell a few weeks later. I’d highly recommend C. Blackburn for selling and buying estate jewelry.

Kathleen M.
Yelp Reviews

A Straight Shooter

I met with most of the Jewelers around La Jolla and no one was as knowledgeable or as helpful as Carl was to me. Carl Blackburn is a straight shooter and someone you can trust. C. Blackburn Jewelers will forever have my business and recommendation to all of my network for any future jewelry business.

Mitch S.
Yelp Reviews

Genuine & Friendly

Being at a downsizing stage of life, I decided to sell as much of my jewelry as possible, and luckily, I came across C. Blackburn Jewelers. I was scared of getting scammed and cheated. Carl had me sitting with him while he examined and evaluated my jewelry. He did not take it into a back room and tell me to return on another day.

 

He worked methodically and very professionally, answered all my questions, kept my expectations realistic, explained what he was doing as he worked. We also had a very pleasant conversation – he is down-to-earth, genuine, and friendly. I trusted him without hesitation. I was very pleasantly surprised by the outcome and felt I was very fairly treated. I was relieved that the process was stress-free, thanks to Carl’s very professional manner and his genuine friendliness. I recommend him highly, without reservation.

Christina L.
Yelp Reviews

How Antique Opals Are Appraised

Assessing the Value of Precious Opals

Due to precious opal’s unique visual qualities, assessing its value is more complex than applying the 4 Cs used in the grading of a diamond. A quick summary of the factors that C. Blackburn Jewelers looks at during an appraisal include:

 

Play-of-Color: This refers to the iridescent display of vibrant colors within an opal as it interacts with light. This captivating feature is the most important factor affecting an opal’s value. Opals exhibiting a broad spectrum of intense and visually striking play-of-color are highly valued.

 

Color: Apart from play-of-color, the base color of an opal is also considered. Black opals, which have a dark body tone, are generally more valuable than white or light opals. The richness and depth of the base color, along with the play-of-color, contribute to the gem’s overall desirability.

 

Pattern: Pattern refers to the arrangement and distribution of the play-of-color within the opal. Desirable patterns include broad flashes, harlequin patterns, and rolling flashes. Opals with rare and distinct patterns are more valuable.

 

Clarity: Clarity refers to the transparency and presence of internal inclusions or blemishes within the opal. While some inclusions can enhance the play-of-color, excessive or prominent flaws may detract from its beauty. Opals with good transparency and minimal visible inclusions are considered more valuable.

 

Cut and Shape: The cut and shape of an opal are important factors in showcasing its play-of-color. Skilled cutting techniques maximize the gem’s potential by creating a symmetrical and well-proportioned shape that enhances its overall appearance. Popular cuts include oval, round, and pear shapes.

 

Other factors that can affect the value of your opal include: origin of mine (for example, Slovakia), treatments (such as heat or acid), damage to stone (chips, cracks, abrasions), lab report (GIA or IGI), branding (such as a Cartier brooch), and carat weight.

 

Get started now. Find out how much your opal or fine jewelry is worth. Call 858-251-3006 to schedule an appointment or click on the button below to tell us about your item.

 

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Buy or Sell a Diamond Ring
You will meet with owner Carl Blackburn when selling your valuable jewelry.
Recent Estate Jewelry Buys

Browse a collection of C. Blackburn Jewelers’ recent purchases of vintage, antique, and estate jewelry.

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