Who is Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers in San Diego?
Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers is a trusted, family-owned San Diego jeweler specializing in diamond engagement rings, new and vintage designer jewelry, new and pre-owned luxury watches, jewelry repair, gold and jewelry buying, and custom jewelry design. We are known for competitive pricing, exceptional service, and one of the largest fine jewelry selections in San Diego.
Where is Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers located?
Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers is in San Diego near the airport at I-5 and Washington St. on San Diego Avenue, serving customers throughout San Diego County who are looking for engagement rings, luxury watches, and professional jewelry services.
Where can I buy engagement rings in San Diego?
You can buy high-quality engagement rings in San Diego at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers. Here you’ll find San Diego’s largest selection of earth-mined diamond engagement rings, lab-grown diamond engagement rings, new and vintage engagement rings, vintage designer engagement rings, colored gemstone engagement rings, as well as custom-designed engagement rings and wedding rings.
What makes Leo Hamel one of the best jewelry stores in San Diego?
We offer a large selection of the best jewelry and watches that changes daily. Our vintage jewelry and pre-owned watches save you money. We also sell new jewelry and watches at competitive prices. Expert in-house bench jewelers and a Swiss-trained Master Watchmaker serve your repair needs. Our focus on education and transparency helps our customers make confident buying decisions.
Do you offer custom engagement ring design in San Diego?
Yes, we specialize in custom engagement ring design in San Diego. Our experienced team works closely with you to create a one-of-a-kind ring based on your preferred diamond, setting, and budget.
What is the difference between lab-grown and earth-mined natural diamonds?
Earth-mined natural diamonds are formed in the earth over billions of years, while lab-grown diamonds are created using advanced scientific technology. Both have the same physical and chemical properties and lab-grown diamonds cannot be detected without professional grade instruments. Lab-grown diamonds are eco-friendly and come in larger sizes for the same money. Earth-mined natural diamonds retain the mystique of the rare and natural.
Do you offer jewelry repair in San Diego?
Yes, we provide professional jewelry repair at our store on San Diego Avenue including ring resizing, chain repair, jewelry repair, stone replacement, prong retipping, clasp repair, watch repair and watch battery replacement.
How long does ring resizing take?
Ring resizing typically takes a few days to a week depending on the complexity of the design. Our in-house experienced jewelers ensure precise and secure resizing.
Do you sell pre-owned luxury watches in San Diego?
Yes, Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers carries the largest selection of pre-owned luxury watches in San Diego. Each watch is carefully inspected and authenticated before being offered for sale. We carry fine pre-owned watches from renowned brands such as Audemars Piguet, Baume & Mercier, Bell & Ross, Breitling, Cartier, David Yurman, Franck Muller, IWC, Jacob & Co., Jaeger LeCoultre, Omega, Panerai, Rolex, TAG Heuer, Tiffany & Co., and more! We also carry the complete line of new Tissot and Hamilton watches.
Are your diamonds GIA certified?
We sell many diamonds with GIA certificates, ensuring accurate grading for cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. We also sell diamonds that have certificates by other trusted agencies. We can quickly and easily send any diamond to GIA for a certificate. Certificates provide added confidence and transparency when purchasing a diamond.
Do you offer jewelry appraisals in San Diego?
Our associate San Diego Gemological Laboratory provides professional written jewelry appraisals for insurance, resale, and estate purposes, including detailed documentation of materials and current market value. However, it is not necessary to have an appraisal done to receive a quote of current market value.
Do you offer financing for engagement rings?
Yes, we offer flexible financing options to make purchasing an engagement ring in San Diego more accessible while staying within your budget.
What types of jewelry do you carry?
We carry diamond and colored gemstone engagement rings, wedding bands, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, vintage designer jewelry, and custom-designed pieces. You will also find a selection of new and pre-owned luxury watches and vintage designer handbags.
How often should I have my jewelry inspected?
We recommend professional cleaning and inspection at least once or twice per year to maintain the integrity and appearance of your fine jewelry. If your jewelry is dropped or hit against a hard surface, bring it to our store as soon as possible for a full checkup.
Why should I buy from a local San Diego jeweler instead of a chain store or online?
Buying from a local San Diego jeweler provides personalized service, competitive pricing, custom design flexibility, and long-term support that large chain stores and online stores cannot match. Our inventory is varied and changes daily so you’ll always find something different in the jewelry cases.
Where can I sell gold, silver, or platinum in San Diego?
You can sell gold, silver, and platinum in San Diego at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers. We provide professional gold buying services with competitive payouts based on purity, weight, and current market prices.
How do you determine the value of gold?
We test purity (karat), weigh the item using certified scales, and reference the live gold market price to provide an accurate and transparent offer.
What types of gold do you buy?
We buy gold jewelry, broken chains, gold coins of any condition, gold bars, gold bullion, dental gold, scrap gold, and estate gold pieces.
What types of silver do you buy?
We buy silver jewelry, silver coins of any condition, silver bars, silverware, silver flatware, and silver holloware.
Do I need an appointment to sell gold, silver, platinum, jewelry, watches or designer handbags?
No appointment is necessary. Walk-ins are welcome for all evaluations at all four of our San Diego locations.
How long does it take to sell my gold, silver, platinum, jewelry, watches or designer handbags?
The evaluation process usually takes just a few minutes. Once you accept the offer, payment is issued immediately.
What is the current price of gold?
Gold prices fluctuate daily based on global markets. Our offers reflect the current market rate at the time of evaluation.
Can I sell broken or damaged gold, silver, or platinum jewelry?
Yes, we purchase broken or damaged gold, silver, and platinum jewelry. We pay based on the current market value of the precious metal.
Can I sell gold, silver, or platinum coins, bars, and bullion?
Yes, we purchase gold, silver, and platinum coins, bars, and bullion. We evaluate them based on weight, purity, and current market demand.
Can I sell diamond rings for gold value?
Yes, we buy gold and diamonds. We evaluate the gold and the diamonds separately to ensure you receive fair value for each component.
How is gold purity tested?
We use professional testing methods to determine karat content and ensure accurate valuation.
Is selling gold, silver, and platinum safe and secure?
Yes, our gold, silver, and platinum buying process is conducted in a professional and secure environment with transparent evaluations.
What do I need to bring to sell gold, jewelry, watches, silver, or platinum?
Please bring a valid government-issued ID when selling gold, as required by California regulations.
Do you buy estate jewelry?
Yes, we purchase estate jewelry, used jewelry, broken jewelry, antique jewelry, designer jewelry, and vintage jewelry and evaluate them based on precious metals, gemstones, and market value.
Can I get a quote before I decide to sell?
Yes, we provide a no-obligation quote so you can decide whether you would like to proceed with the sale.
Why should I sell my gold, silver, or platinum to a reputable local San Diego jeweler?
Selling to a trusted local jeweler ensures professional testing, expert transparent pricing, competitive payouts, and immediate payment in a secure setting.
What types of watches does Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers buy?
We are San Diego’s premium luxury watch buyer and seller. Our knowledgeable watch experts will take the worry out of selling your watch and help you to get the best price. We buy fine watches, vintage or modern. Here are some examples of brands we buy: Rolex, Cartier, Patek Philippe, Omega, IWC, Franck Muller, Hublot, Breitling, Jaeger Le Coultre, Panerai, Longines, Chopard, Corum, Vacheron Constantin, Piaget, Ulysse Nardin, Audemars Piguet, Breguet, Chronoswiss, Gerard Perregaux, Ebel, TAG Heuer, Hamilton, Glashutte, Oris, vintage watches, pocket watches and more.
Does Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers buy pearls?
We buy pearl bracelets, pearl strands, pearl earrings, and other pearl jewelry. Designer pearl brands like Mikimoto occasionally have higher value.
Do you offer loans or pawns on jewelry or watches?
Your jewelry, watch, or other valuables worth a minimum of $2500 can be pawned as collateral for a personal loan at our San Diego Avenue jewelry buying office. Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers does not require credit checks to approve a loan– the value of your loan is based solely on the assets you pledge as collateral. Your assets will be monitored 24/7 and stored in a fireproof vault.
Do I need to make an appointment to sell jewelry?
No appointment is necessary to sell fine jewelry, luxury Swiss watches, silverware, designer handbags, or other valuables.
Do you buy coins?
Yes, we buy coins from anywhere and any era that may be of value including gold coins, silver coins, coins of any size, coins of any condition, bars, bullion, scrap gold, and even collectible paper currency.
Where can I sell jewelry near me?
Selling jewelry to Leo Hamel Jewelry & Gold Buyers is the safest and fastest way to sell jewelry and other valuables in San Diego. For your convenience, we have 4 locations throughout San Diego where you can sell unwanted or unused jewelry and watches.
Do you buy gemstones?
We buy many gemstones set in fine jewelry. Precious gemstones, such as diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds, will receive premium prices. We also buy semi–precious gemstone jewelry, antique jewelry set with gemstones, and treated gemstones set in jewelry. We do not have a market for loose gemstones unless they are of exceptional quality.
Do you offer appraisals?
We provide insurance documentation for anything that is purchased from our store. For other pieces or estate or inheritance appraisal, we refer to our affiliate expert appraiser at San Diego Gemological Laboratory for professional written appraisals.
Do I need an appraisal to sell my jewelry?
No, an appraisal is not needed to have your fine jewelry, watch, coins, silverware, silver flatware or holloware, or other valuables evaluated for purchase by our professional friendly jewelry buyers.
What should I do if I don't see my question on this FAQ?
If you don't see your question answered on this FAQ, please reach out to us via phone or email. You can call/text our jewelry store at (619)299-1500 or email us at
[email protected]
