Because You Deserve the Best Cash Offer

We are Experts in Antique Pearls

Are you ready to sell natural antique pearls or fine 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.

Send Us an Email Using Our

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C. Blackburn Jewelers of La Jolla is the best place to sell natural pearls and antique pearl jewelry in San Diego. The market for antique pearl necklaces, brooches, and rings is much more niche than other types of fine estate jewelry. To get the best possible cash offer, you need to contact a San Diego jeweler who specializes in these items.

 

C. Blackburn Jewelers is owned and operated by Carl Blackburn, a 2nd-generation estate jeweler who has been buying and selling antique pearl jewelry for over 20 years. He has the expertise and resale network that guarantees a rewarding experience when selling your item with us.

 

Carl has deep knowledge of South Sea pearl jewelry made by legendary jewelry design houses, including Mikimoto, Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co., as well as bygone jewelry design firms like Marcus & Co. He knows all of the special characteristics which add value to antique pearls.

 

Selling is Quick & Easy

 

1. Give us a call at 858-251-3006 or send photos of your antique pearl 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 pearl 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 Natural Pearls

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 Pearls Are Appraised

Assessing the Value of Natural Pearls

C. Blackburn Jewelers ordinarily doesn’t buy cultured pearl jewelry. We buy only antique jewelry set with natural pearls, unless it is a highly desirable item made by a luxury jeweler such as Cartier or Tiffany & Co.

 

Assessing the value of natural pearls is different than when grading diamonds and colored gemstones. Carl Blackburn will examine the following when appraising your pearls:

 

Shape: The shape of a natural pearl influences its value. Spherical or near-spherical pearls are considered the most desirable and typically command higher prices. However, pearls that deviate from perfect spherical shapes, such as baroque or asymmetrical pearls, are also valued for their unique characteristics.

 

Color: Natural pearls come in a wide range of colors, including white, cream, pink, silver, gold, and various shades of pastels. The color of a pearl, along with its overtone (secondary color), greatly affects its value. Pearls with desirable, even, and vibrant colors are more valuable than those with dull or uneven hues.

 

Luster: Luster refers to the shine and reflectivity of a pearl’s surface. High-quality natural pearls display a strong, mirror-like luster that gives them a radiant glow. Pearls with excellent luster are more valuable as they indicate a high-quality nacre and superior surface quality.

 

Surface Quality: The surface quality of a natural pearl is evaluated for the presence of blemishes, spots, pits, or other surface irregularities. Pearls with smooth, clean surfaces and minimal imperfections are more valuable than those with visible flaws.

 

Nacre Quality: The quality and thickness of the nacre, the iridescent layers that form the pearl, significantly impact its value. Pearls with thick, durable nacre are highly valued as they exhibit better luster and are more resistant to damage over time.

 

Other factors that can affect the value of your pearls include: origin (for example, Persian Gulf), treatments (such as bleaching or dying), damage to stone (chips, cracks, abrasions), lab report (GIA or IGI), branding (such as a Mikimoto ring), and size.

 

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

 

Get a Free Cash Quote
Buy or Sell a Diamond Ring
You will meet with owner Carl Blackburn when selling your valuable pearls.
Recent Estate Jewelry Buys

Browse a collection of C. Blackburn Jewelers’ recent buys from sellers in San Diego County.

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