Helping others scope out the value of their earrings, necklaces, and rings is a daily occurrence for Courtney Hood, who began learning the ropes of her family’s business—CB Hood Diamond Co. in Santa Maria—from a young age.
After graduating from Cabrillo High School in Lompoc, she enrolled at the Gemological Institute of America where she earned her degree in gemology. Outside of specializing in jewelry appraisals at her family’s store during work hours, Hood avidly collects jewelry—especially antique jewelry—as a hobby, which she described as hereditary.
“We can blame my dad,” she told the Sun via email. Her father is CB Hood Diamond Co. owner Charles Hood, aka Mr. Picky to anyone with fond memories of the local store’s old TV commercials.
“[He] has always loved antiques. I remember him telling me when I was younger that, ‘A lot of jewelers recut antique diamonds into modern round brilliant cuts, and it just feels like slapping paint on an old antique wood chest—it just feels wrong,’” Hood recalled. “I think I started collecting antique jewelry about 15 to 20 years ago, and things really took off once I married into it.”
Hood’s father-in-law, Paul Lee, is a passionate antique dealer, she explained. Estate sales are among the hot spots where their mutual affinity for antique collecting can go overboard, according to Hood.
“[We’re] a dangerous pair at estate sales,” she said. “We love everything antique and honestly have no business being left unsupervised.”
Some of the antique jewelry—from Georgian-era heart-shaped lockets to Victorian-era micro-mosaic pendants—Hood has amassed over the past two decades will be up for grabs to the highest bidders in an upcoming silent auction event, scheduled for Sept. 6, starting at 4 p.m.
Among the pieces from Hood’s personal jewelry box she’s decided to put up for auction, some have been harder to for her to part with than others.
“One item I’m really struggling to let go of is a Victorian-era old mine cut diamond locket. … Over 3 carats of diamonds, all dating back to the early 1800s. I might have to bargain for visitation rights with that one,” Hood said. “Anyone who knows me knows I have a soft spot for antique diamonds. There’s just something special about owning a piece of the past. A piece of natural history can’t be replicated.”
One reason she’s excited to sell pieces like this, however, is knowing they’ll end up with someone who shares her passion for antique jewelry. She also likes the idea of someone new getting to wear this jewelry, rather than keeping it locked up in her collection box.
Hood recommends that guests of the Sept. 6 auction plan on getting to the store earlier than its 4 p.m. start time for a special opportunity to skip the line, so to speak, when it comes to the bidding process.
“Each item will be appraised and displayed with its full estimated retail value—alongside a special gold ticket with a ‘buy it now’ price,” she explained. “That way, if you arrive early and fall in love with something, you can make it yours on the spot—no bidding required.”
There will also be an exclusive raffle for folks who base their evening attire on one of the eras the auction’s various pieces highlight, Hood added.
“Since the jewelry focus spans Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Retro, and Mid-Century styles, you’ve got plenty of eras to pull inspiration from,” she said. “I’ve personally decided to wear a Victorian era formal gown—because when else can you? And I hope this gives everyone an excuse to pull out something fabulous—even if it’s just that one dress you love but never have a reason to wear.”
Highlights
• CoastHills Credit Union’s board of directors named James Ledford as its new president and CEO in early August. He’s held various executive-level leadership positions since first joining CoastHills in 2015, according the credit union, which operates 11 branches across the Central Coast. In August 2024, Ledford was appointed interim CEO as the board conducted a nationwide search for the position.
• To help local families get adjusted to the back-to-school season, all Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMRT) routes will offer free rides through Aug. 22. The promotion began on Aug. 11. High schools served by the routes include Pioneer Valley High School, Santa Maria High School, Righetti High School, St. Joseph High School, and Delta High School.
Reach Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood at cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Aug 14-24, 2025.
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