March 2025
Written by Gail G. Collins
Weddings are a pledge of love and loyalty. But how did the token, the circular band, become the symbol of such unbounded dedication?
While the ring’s foundation in history may be hazy, archeological data points to Egypt and a woven loop of reed or leather. Stouter materials evolved, and the traditional exchange of rings began in ancient Rome.
There, the custom of wearing the ring on the fourth finger of the left hand is rooted in the belief that the vena amoris or vein of love ran from that finger to the heart. This created the custom still practiced today.
A ring’s style has been influenced by the times, tracing a path from an elaborate personal expression during the Renaissance to the geometric Art Deco lines of the 20th Century. Yet, it was the Victorian period that introduced a diamond as the stone of choice. When Prince Albert presented a diamond to Queen Victoria, its popularity took off, sparking patterns that remain timeless. Then, De Beers launched the 1947 marketing campaign, “A diamond is forever,” making it emblematic.
A diamond is a major investment for anyone, and it can be daunting. At such times, we often turn to a friend for advice. That friend is Frederick Fisher Jewelers, guiding couples through their first big decision together. Celebrating 45 years in the Flagstaff community, the legacy business’ motto is: Let our family be your family’s jeweler.
“Reputation is big,” said owner Ryan Terhaar, who took over the family shop from parents Tim and Lisa Terhaar. “With bridal, it’s important to deal with people you trust. Usually, this is their first big purchase, and they need knowledge to make a smart financial decision. Trust is big. The ring is for forever—the perfect ring—and we have the #1 selection in northern Arizona.”
Frederick Fisher doesn’t compete with chain jewelry stores, but focuses on quality and individual attention. And while for many, this is the first venture into asset investment, Fisher won’t push someone’s price range, instead finding the best ring for the money.
The diamond must be set, and while yellow gold has been the longstanding luxury look, white gold and platinum have been in their heydays. Fisher has thousands of pieces in white metals from which to choose.
“When talking about gold for the bridal ring,” Terhaar said, “any diamond of size is the biggest chunk of the outlay with hardness and sparkliness as the driving forces to equal forever on earth.”
So, what makes a brilliant diamond? According to the Gemological Institute of America, the four Cs are clarity, color, carat weight and cut. The clarity involves anomalies akin to a fingerprint, such as inclusions, pinpoints and carbon contained within the stone. This is graded from flawless to very, very slightly included (VVSI) and VSI to SI and included. The color ranges from a rare, colorless D grade to yellow tones. The carat weight determines size, and the cut involves placing facets.
“The cut is the most important reason a diamond sparkles. Its 58 facets are placed by a math equation—percentages and angles. We only carry perfectly cut diamonds to reflect the light—it bangs around in the stones and sends it back as sparkle.”
Lab grown diamonds are the newest approach to brilliance and twinkle as innovative science. General Electric produced the first batch of diamonds, and by the 80s, high-quality stones became available. There are serious benefits to lab-grown stones. Natural diamonds take eons to form while lab-grown stones can be delivered faster than one would believe possible.
“One diamond takes millions of years to form in nature, and one can be created by man by March,” quipped Terhaar. The development phase is two to four weeks. “Both are 100-percent diamonds, period, end of subject. The stones are tested, graded and weighted the same, but are inscribed with a certification number as the only way to tell it is lab-grown versus natural.”
There is also a huge affordability factor. In short, lab diamonds are ethical, eco-conscious and everlasting.
While trends come and go, most customers shy away from unusual styles. “Bridal jewelry is everlasting,” Terhaar explained, “and 70- to 90-percent of rings look similar.” Still, if it is a custom design the bride desires, Fisher retains a certified team of jewelry experts to repair or alter a family heirloom or craft a new one. “If you can draw it, reveal it, we can make it a reality.”
As far as diamond cuts, the round is enduringly popular followed by princess, fancy shapes, oval, emerald and marquee. Rose gold is currently trending as is the diamond halo setting, a circle of stones surrounding the main diamond.
Above all else, Terhaar summed, “The bridal business is timeless. We are family-owned, knowledgeable and have served Arizona since 1980, giving back to the community through all realms.” Bridal2025