Some of life’s most meaningful moments are marked by jewelry. An engagement. An anniversary. A milestone birthday. A piece passed from one generation to the next. For Ryan Terhaar and his family, jewelry has always been about more than what is inside the display case. It is about the people, relationships and stories behind every piece, and the memories that jewelry can carry for generations.
The story of Frederick Fisher Jewelers began in 1980. Ryan’s father worked for Frederick Fisher at Frederick Fisher Jewelers in Metrocenter, where he also met Ryan’s mother. When his father considered leaving the jewelry business, Fisher heard about it and made an offer that would shape the family’s future and create a legacy that continues more than four decades later.
“Fred offered my parents a loan to move up to Flagstaff for the new mall in 1980 and open their own jewelry store,” Ryan shares. “Because of his generosity, my parents did it and used his name, Frederick Fisher Jewelers, for their store in Flagstaff.”
What began with one person believing in another grew into a family business built around enduring values.
“Trust, customer service and quality are the three values that have set us apart,” Ryan says. “Those remain at the top to this day, and you’ll feel that when you walk into our store.”
After decades of serving Flagstaff, the Terhaar family saw an opportunity to bring that experience to the Northwest Valley. Ryan and his wife have two daughters who are athletes, so the family frequently traveled to Phoenix for sporting events. Eventually, those visits sparked an idea.
“We love it down here, and my wife and I looked at each other and thought, ‘Let’s move to the Northwest Valley and open another store,’” Ryan says.
Their goal was to create a place where luxury felt approachable and rooted in the family values that had defined Frederick Fisher Jewelers for decades.
“Customers are going to get the luxury experience with top-end jewelry and service, but still get that hometown, local jeweler experience,” he explains. “We never want it to feel stuffy.”
Jewelry is often connected to life’s biggest moments, and Ryan has witnessed countless celebrations throughout his career. One remains particularly special.
A couple in their late 80s came into the store after both had lost their spouses following long marriages. They had found love again and visited Frederick Fisher Jewelers to select an engagement ring.
“The close-to-90-year-old gentleman got down on one knee right there in our store and proposed,” Ryan recalls.
The moment captures what the business is about: jewelry becoming part of someone’s story and celebrating the milestones that matter most.
Today, Frederick Fisher Jewelers is a full-service destination offering diamond engagement rings, exquisite colored gemstones, appraisals, complimentary jewelry cleaning, gift wrapping, watch batteries and jewelry repairs. They can even offer advice for the perfect proposal, making the experience personal from the moment a customer walks through the door.
For those searching for something extraordinary, Ryan has a particular appreciation for colored diamonds.
“Diamonds come in basically every color of the rainbow,” he says. While fancy yellow diamonds remain among the most recognizable, pink diamonds are a personal favorite. “Pink is probably one of the most expensive diamond colors, but when you see it in person or on the hand, it’s worth every penny.”
Their rarity also makes pink diamonds compelling investment pieces. For a traditional choice, Ryan points to the round white diamond as one of the most timeless cuts. With colored diamonds, he recommends oval, radiant and emerald cuts.
“The solitaire style diamond ring is the most timeless because there are so many variations, yet it still shows off the main diamond without taking away from it,” Ryan says.
Beyond diamonds, sapphire remains a favorite for clients seeking elegance and versatility. Ryan loves classic designs featuring a blue sapphire center stone flanked by diamonds or surrounded by a halo of white diamonds. Thanks to sapphire’s durability, it works beautifully across rings, bracelets and earrings.
“A beautiful sapphire and diamond right-hand ring is such an elegant piece of jewelry to surprise someone with for their birthday,” he says.
Although Frederick Fisher Jewelers offers exceptional luxury pieces, Ryan emphasizes that the experience is never determined by budget.
“If someone comes into our store with a budget of $100 or $10,000, they deserve the same level of expertise and customer service,” he says. “We like to guide our customers without being pushy and help them find that perfect piece.”
For anyone building a timeless jewelry collection, Ryan recommends diamond stud earrings, a diamond necklace, a diamond tennis bracelet and a pearl necklace.
“These are pieces that can be worn with yoga pants or that perfect black dress,” he says.
Ultimately, success at Frederick Fisher Jewelers is measured by seeing families return generation after generation.
“In Arizona, we’ve sold engagement rings, anniversary gifts and birthday gifts to numerous generations of the same family,” Ryan says. Even his daughters can sometimes be found in the store, saying hello and helping clients.
“That’s the experience I want people to walk away with: family, trust, customer service and a smile,” Ryan says. “And, of course, an amazing piece of jewelry they’re proud of and can’t wait to give to someone they love.”