When Donny and Fatemeh Nazarieh sat down for their first date on December 5, 1993, Donny shared two dreams: to visit his family in Iran, whom he hadn’t seen in 18 years, and to open his very own jewelry store.

That conversation became the beginning of their love story and the foundation of a family business that has become a Huntsville treasure.

Born in Shiraz, Iran, one of eleven children, Donny’s path to becoming a Huntsville jeweler began in 1977 when he moved from Iran to Gainesville, Florida, to pursue a degree in computer science. When the Iranian Revolution happened, his finances were strained, and he relocated to Huntsville, where college was more affordable.

“Design has always been a passion of mine,” Donny recalled, “and I originally planned to study architecture; however, due to my family’s insistence, I pursued a degree in computer science, a field that never truly ignited my enthusiasm.”

After landing his first job in computer science, an acquaintance suggested that his personality and demeanor would be well-suited for a role in the jewelry industry. He encouraged Donny to start as a jewelry salesperson, and he eventually hired him as a traveling jewelry salesman.

“From the very beginning,” Donny shared, “I fell in love with the profession. Before long, I decided to quit my programming job and pursue a full-time career as an independent jewelry salesperson, to own my own jewelry store eventually.”

Donny’s career in jewelry sales led to his introduction to Fatemeh in 1993 through one of his loyal customers at Service Merchandise on South Parkway, where Donny was the top diamond consultant.

Fatemeh came from Iran to Oklahoma City in the summer of 1977, as a teenager, for medical reasons. She attended high school in Oklahoma City and college at Oklahoma State University, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She moved to Huntsville in 1990, met Donny in 1993, and the couple was married on the anniversary of their first date in 1994.

Once married, Donny and Fatemeh set out to make Donny’s dream of owning his own jewelry store come true. Fatemeh worked full-time as a registered dietitian and took on a second consulting job, while Donny put in extra hours at Service Merchandise.

The couple delayed having children for two years, lived frugally, worked hard, and saved every penny, Donny said. They opened Donny’s Diamond Gallery at 2510 Memorial Parkway right after Labor Day in 1999.

Reflecting on more than two decades of creating custom jewelry, Donny shared that he and Fatemeh have a genuine love for their job and their customers. They believe everyone who enters their store is a gift from God who deserves to be treated as such.

“Shopping with us is not just a transaction,” Donny said, “it’s an experience. We strive to make each customer feel special and welcome. By the time our customers leave, we want them to feel like royalty or part of our family, knowing they can stop by for any reason and leave with a smile on their face. That is our goal every day.”

When asked what inspires his jewelry creations, Donny said inspiration is everywhere–the beautiful sky, a lovely printed shirt, a customer story, a painting, a photograph, or traveling to a new place.

Some of the most memorable projects are also the most emotional. Over the years, customers have brought in their deceased husband’s rings or ashes to create a necklace in their memory, or they’ve created mother-daughter pendants or more modern, unique pieces from a customer’s grandmother’s jewelry collection.

“We have a deep passion for jewelry,” Donny said, “especially pieces that tell a story. Each piece we design is exceptional.”