OUR TEAM
ADAM BLUESTEIN, Owner of Blue Diamond, Gemologist & Auctioneer
I was born into this business in 1981 in my father's shop. I have been trading professionally for 15 years, and there is nothing I didn’t learn the hard way. I have a degree in physics, and I love math and science. I am a GIA Diamond Graduate and my specialties include diamonds, gemstones, jewelry and metal identification. I enjoy turning chaos into order, including whatever's in your jewelry box. Often, I can tell you where and when it came from. I call that “jewelry forensics”. Pick my brain. I'm always up for a challenge, and I love talking nerdy.
DAVID BLUESTEIN, Numismatist & Auctioneer
I've been trading anything and everything professionally since 1981. I've never felt that I had a real job... it's been more like a treasure hunt. It's unlikely that you're going to show me something that I haven't seen before. I studied coin grading under Kenneth Bresset, Editor Emeritus of "A Guide Book of United States Coins" ("The Red Book") and ex-President of the American Numismatic Association. I'm happy to offer my insight to our customers about anything at all. If I don't know the answer to your question, I'll admit it. But, for the most part, I know!
GABRIALLA McCOY, Photographer, Social Media Manager & Jewelry Specialist
I’ve been in the jewelry business for over 10 years doing everything from managing a busy pawn shop in Los Angeles to making custom high-end jewelry here in San Antonio. I assist in grading diamonds and evaluating the high-end jewelry that we buy. I photograph and edit the entire 900+ item catalog for our popular, national online-auctions, our e-commerce site as well as, manage our social media accounts with edgy marketing and artistic twists. I love jewelry and, when you come in to visit us, I want to make sure that you go home with something you love, too!
CARL ROZA-PEREIRA, Numismatist & Firearm Specialist
I’m a collector. I’ve been collecting coins since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. I remember going to the coin and stamp store with my dad. While he looked at stamps, I was captivated by coins. I started to collect Lincoln cents in 1965 with the money I made from my paper route, paying $75 for my first red 1909-S VDB. Flashing forward to now, I’ve worked in the coin industry for over 35 years. I have extensive knowledge of bullion, world coins and currency, especially from the 19th & 20th centuries. I look forward to meeting you and helping you to achieve your objectives.
TRAVIS HARRIS, Jewelry & eCommerce Specialist
I’m a jewelry and precious metal specialist who has been in the estate merchandise industry for over 10 years. I started working at an antique shop when I turned 16 and fell in love with all aspects of the business. I soon opened multiple booth shops myself, selling fine and fashion jewelry and learning all I could about business. Now I am an eCommerce specialist with certifications in various online applications, coding, and analytics that allow me to manage a large portion of our online sales. It'll be my pleasure to work with you!
JIM LITZ, Jewelry & Watch Specialist
Anything and everything related to jewelry and watches is my life. For several years, my father was Regional Vice President and District Manager for Zales, and I’ve been a jewelry and watch specialist for over 15 years myself. I'm also a certified Diamontologist, accredited by the Diamond Council of America. I purchase wristwatches and diamond jewelry of all kinds, and I love helping our guests to build one-of-a-kind diamond engagement rings. When you’re in the market for that special ring or Rolex watch, I’m your guy!
NANCY LEONARD, Handbag & Jewelry Specialist
I’ve been in the fashion and glamour industry for years as a former runway, commercial & print advertising model and beauty queen in the Philippines and China. During that time, I became a collector of unique merchandise from all of the places I’ve travelled. I have a decade of experience in trading luxury goods, both in person and via ecommerce. At Blue Diamond, I’m in charge of authenticating, buying and selling handbags, as well as curating our selection of fine jewelry. Let me help you find the perfect gift for any occasion!
ABOUT BLUE DIAMOND
When you do business with Blue Diamond, you immediately learn that we are different from other companies that buy and sell with the public.
WE ARE EXPERTS
People who know what they're talking about don't have to guess about the authenticity, value and marketability of the merchandise at hand. We know what we're talking about! That enables us to make our best prices whenever we're buying and selling, and that enables our customers to deal with confidence. Read up to meet our colleagues and see their impressive credentials. Also, we have deep knowledge in categories of merchandise that may be of interest to you even though they're no longer popular; let us help you understand how to acquire or liquidate those items. Nobody in South Texas surpasses our collective experience and certification.
WE ARE LICENSED TO DO WHAT WE DO
Ask other companies for their license number and they'll probably replay, "Huh?". We are collectively and individually licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), the Office of Consumer Credit (OCC) under the authority of the Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS), the Federal Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, as well as graduates of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Numismatic Association (ANA) grading program. Even our scales are sealed for accuracy by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). We've recently done appraisals and liquidations for the Trust Departments of Broadway Bank and Randolph Brooks Credit Union, and for the San Antonio offices of the FBI and the DEA. We are committed to providing the public with accurate information and professional, drama-free services.
WE MAKE OUR BEST PRICES THE FIRST TIME
No, we don't haggle. We proudly display our sale price on each and every item we sell, and that price is truly our best price. If we have a piece of merchandise for too long, we'll automatically lower the price on the tag and, if necessary, we'll pull it off the shelf and sell it to the highest bidder at our next public auction. When we make offers on your unwanted valuables, we'll carefully examine and evaluate each piece, then make you our best offer the first time. We don't ask you, "What are you looking to get?", and we don't play the "How about...?" game that they play at virtually every other establishment. You don't have to like our prices but, whether you're buying or selling, the price you get is truly our best price... the first time.
WE EDUCATE OUR CUSTOMERS
We jokingly brag, "We know everything... Give us your best shot!", but we're only half kidding. If we don't know, we'll tell you that we don't know but, almost without exception, someone on our team will know. We are educators at heart, and we enjoy sharing our knowledge with you. Let us help you to understand whatever merchandise you're looking at; it's free and without obligation. No appointment is necessary. When you offer us your unwanted valuables, we don't disappear into the back room, then return with a number; we examine everything right in front of you, tell you everything that we see and everything that we're thinking, and we explain how we'll go about evaluating each and every piece. Our customers repeatedly tell us how much they appreciate that they learn something every time they visit us. Compare the Blue Diamond Way with our competitors, and we'll plan on seeing you again and again.
WE ARE NOT A MUSEUM
We don't fill our store with sketchy merchandise, then wait for just the right buyer to come along. We showcase only the best pieces in the most popular categories. We are traders: we are constantly buying and selling. Plan on seeing new and different merchandise every time you visit us.
WE'RE HAPPY TO TALK WITH YOU
If you need insight into any facet of any merchandise at all, let's sit down and talk about it. Whether you're looking for something rare or seeking to dispose of an entire estate, we're confident that you would benefit from sharing your needs with us. There's never a charge to pick our brains, and we even provide free verbal appraisals. Call us or come see us whenever we can be of service. We're looking for lifelong relationships, and we're willing to work to earn that privilege with you.
WE DON'T ADVERTISE
If we tell people how wonderful we are, they may not believe us; we need YOU to tell them! So, we don't waste a cent on advertising. We totally depend on our customers having a positive experience whenever they visit us, then leave Google reviews and tell their friends and family about us. We'll never do anything to threaten our happy relationship with you because we're counting on you to help us spread the word. Please check out our Google reviews, then come in and experience the difference.