Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers® has been in business for over 28 years. Leo got his first experience in the fine jewelry business as a young man working as a sales associate for one of San Diego's largest department stores. He quickly became their top selling salesperson. Leo's drive and ambition wouldn't allow him to stay in that job for long, and with $125 in his pocket, he ventured out on his own.
Leo started by finding out what his friends and relatives wanted in jewelry and watches, and locating those things for them at great prices. He set up a seller's table at swap meets, fairs, and any other gatherings he could find. Leo talked to everyone he met about their watches and jewelry, and as time went along would buy from them or sell to them, often vending his wares out of a battered briefcase at the local coffee shop.
By 1980, Leo was doing enough business to open his first store, a tiny storefront on El Cajon Blvd. and 34th Street, and recruited his sister Lisa and friend Robin to be his first employees. We had come to specialized in pre-owned Rolex and other fine Swiss watches such as Patek Philippe, as well as loose diamonds and cultured pearls.
A few years later, business was good enough to warrant moving to a larger store, still on El Cajon Blvd., near the 805 freeway. Ah...now we had a little more room, although it was still not much! It was at this location that Lisa's husband, Dano McCarthy joined the team. As a company, we gained expertise in fine estate jewelry and colored gemstones.
A couple of years after that brought another move for us, further west on El Cajon Blvd. near Texas Street. Here our fledging company really started to expand and Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers® began to take on national watch brands of distinction, such as IWC, Ulysse Nardin and Omega. Also onboard was the new and elite Hearts On Fire diamond line.
In 1999 we opened our second location in the Cedros Design district of Solana Beach. Then in 2003 we finally bade farewell to the colorful characters of El Cajon Blvd. and moved to our beautiful Old Town location on San Diego Avenue. We are proud to be the largest and most complete, full service fine jewelry store in the San Diego County. We also are the largest Estate Jewelry & Watch Buyers in San Diego. Our Estate Jewelry Department will buy anything of value including diamonds, Swiss watches (Rolex, Cartier, and more), designer and estate jewelry, gold, platinum, silver, coins, and more.
Because we are still located off the beaten path, we strive to give the best prices along with excellent service to every one of our customers. Even though our showrooms have become larger and more attractive, the feeling of a family-owned and operated store has stayed with us in the way we treat our customers. That kind of personal relationship makes doing business a pleasure, and our list of loyal customers continues to grow!
Though our company has come a long way from Leo's original "store in a briefcase", many of his original customers still shop with us, along with their children and their children's children. We believe that you will not find better service, value or as good a shopping experience anywhere else.
Call or visit any of our locations listed below, or shop online. We stand behind all of our products 100%.
1851 San Diego Ave.
San Diego, CA 92110
619.299.1500
921 Lomas Santa Fe Drive
Solana Beach, CA 92075
858.509.5900
(Buying Office Only)
16909 A West Bernardo Dr.
San Diego, CA 92127
858.509.5900
NEW
(Buying Office Only)
289 1/2 3rd Ave. Suite A
Chula Vista, CA 91910
619.420.6100
