Tucked away on a little red brick road called Via Oporto just over the bridge to the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, there is a true gem to experience. His name is Bruce Blackman and he owns Blackman Ltd. Jewelers, a family owned traditional jewelry store in business for 48 years. He calls his store a Salon of Fine Gems—hardly a traditional name. But if ever a man could reflect a passion for good craftsmanship any brighter than Bruce Blackman, you’d have to search a long way past that little red brick road to find him.
Bruce—as all his many friends and long-time clients call him—virtually twinkles when he speaks softly about his Salon of Fine Gems. Then, in pops an old friend who needs his watch cleaned. Up springs Bruce glowing like a diamond with a grin that spread across his grandfatherly face. He warmly takes the gentleman’s hand with both of his as he greets this old pal. It’s standard procedure. If Bruce can be categorized, one would say of him that he projects the warm radiance of a finely cut ruby.
Bruce says of his beautiful Salon of Gems that it is here to stay for another decade or so. Oh, there has been talk about developers and changing environments, but this strapping fellow says, “Lido Village is going to remain pretty much the same for a long time to come. The smart money says things will not change for 10-15 years.” And Bruce Blackman isn’t about to let any one uproot his elegantly appointed Salon.
Mr. Blackman entered the clock making and jewelry profession at the age of thirteen, when his father apprenticed him to Ernest Sollberger of Bern, Switzerland. In 1949 Bruce entered Bradley University to study horological engineering (the study of clocks) and jewelry manufacturing. Prior to establishing Blackman Limited in Newport Beach in 1957, Bruce sought out the greatest tutors in the world to polish his craft: goldsmith Paul Johnsonn, instrument maker G. M. Gianini, master watchmaker Otto Bender of Stutgurt and master engraver Josef Stockmier. There’s no limit to the expertise of Bruce and his Swiss-born watchmaker-assistant, Alex Loeb, who does all the on premises repairs.
Attention to detail is the pride of the watchmaker. Once Bruce worked six months, eight hours a day, to create a small chronometer for which he received First Place in the country from the United Horological Associates of America. He’s rather proud of that.
The advice and the craftsmanship he and his employees bring to the restoration of jewelry, fine clocks, antiques and music boxes is sought after by people all over the world. Not long ago he restored and repaired an antique German watch made in 1689. Imagine the detail.
Inside the Salon you can find diamonds and sapphires and other fine gems, Rolex watches, Chelsea ships clocks and barometers and objects of art. There is Spode china, Georg Jensen and Gorham silver, Baccarat and Orrefors crystal, and the most amusing figurine frog art. There are diamond cuff bracelets, sterling silver and gold rings, ruby bead necklaces, Masriera fairy pins, intricate flower earrings and Limoges boxes by Rochard. “Ours is not a regular jewelry store,” says Bruce. “We do complete servicing of watches and antique repair for glass and china and watches right here on the premises. And the art objects,” he continues—like those woodcarvings from Bali—“make our Salon more interesting.” Bruce doesn’t like to brag.
Bruce and Trish Blackman travel the world looking for special objects and gems for the Salon. To Switzerland, Italy, the Orient, India, Thailand and more. Blackman Ltd. Jewelers has been invited to the Couture Jewellery Collection & Conference, the industry’s signature event, for the past ten years. It’s extremely exclusive. Invitees include the very ta-ta of the jewelry world. They are called preeminent jewelers.
The official philosophy of Blackman Ltd. makes it clear that Bruce & Company are in the business of offering the very finest objects and gems, regardless of the cost—focusing on design and the skill of workmanship. “I stand behind my work,” he says. So, take a trip down the red brick road and drop in to the Salon of Gems to verify that mission. And while you’re there, tell Bruce—Sara says hello.