Wedding Day Podcast Episode 99: Briana Daugherty With B. Anthony & Company Jewelers

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On this episode of Wedding Day Podcast, host Sonja Babich, owner of Iron Diamond Media, and her co-host sit down with Briana Daugherty, owner and designer of B. Anthony & Company Jewelers in San Luis Obispo, California. The podcast’s first jeweler guest, Daugherty shares her path into the industry and how 27 years of experience have shaped her work.

After studying jewelry making at the Gemological Institute of America, Daugherty spent about five years working at the bench. She joined B. Anthony & Company Jewelers in 2010, eventually moving into management before taking ownership in 2021. Today, much of her work centers on custom design and helping clients find the right look for their jewelry.

Clients often arrive with inspiration photos or Pinterest boards but aren't always sure how to explain what they like. Daugherty asks questions and looks for common design elements among the images to help narrow down their preferences. Although the store has a large selection of rings, she often uses those pieces as a starting point for custom designs. The process typically takes about six weeks, and certain settings require an accurate ring size from the beginning because they can be difficult to resize.

Daugherty has also seen a shift in how couples shop for engagement rings. In the past, one partner often came into the store alone to choose a ring. Now, couples are more likely to shop together with a clear idea of what they want. Diamond preferences have changed, too. Lab-grown diamonds now make up a significant part of her sales, while oval cuts remain her most popular shape. Pear cuts, however, are her current favorite.

Beyond engagement rings, reworking heirloom jewelry is one of Daugherty's favorite parts of the job. Clients bring in family pieces to reuse their stones or update a ring that no longer suits their style. Some return after 10 or 20 years of marriage to give their original engagement ring a new look while preserving its sentimental value. Anniversary bands are also popular, particularly for couples who want to add a band that stacks with their engagement ring.

The conversation also touches on details couples may not consider when designing a ring, including the importance of getting the size right before work begins. With certain settings, resizing can affect the stones or the structure of the ring. It's a practical consideration that can have a lasting impact on the finished piece.

After 27 years in the jewelry industry, Daugherty has plenty of insight into what goes into choosing and creating a ring. She shares why the details matter, from finding the right diamond to making sure a custom design works for the person who will wear it. Her conversation with Babich and Sanabria offers an inside look at the decisions that go into a piece long before it makes its way onto someone's hand.