Fernbaugh’s Diamonds and Fine Jewelry is a community gem to the proud folks of both Plymouth and Logansport, Indiana. The two friendly and stylish stores boast a wide selection of engagement rings, gold, and fashion jewelry, with even more online. Both stores specialize in ready to wear engagement rings as well as custom engagement rings, but it doesn’t stop there. Fernbaugh’s staff can customize a piece for any of life’s occasions. For the past 88 years, Fernbaugh’s has been there to help customers find exactly what their heart desires.
Fernbaugh’s was established in 1933 by Earl and Geraldine Fernbaugh. Originally a small jewelry repair shop, their business quickly grew into a jewelry store a repair shop in house. The store moved to its current location, 416 East Broadway, in downtown Logansport in 1947. After Earl Fernbaugh’s passing, the store was operated by Alvin Scheerer, Florence Sutton, and Oris McGuire.
Earl and Geraldine Fernbaugh
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In 1982, Oris and his wife, Sally, took over the store as owners. After more than 20 years, Oris and Sally handed the reins over to their son, Derek, daughter, Lori and son-in-law, Brian in 2005. Oris continued to work at the jeweler’s bench until his passing in December 2020. In February 2006, Brian and Lori opened the second location at 206 North Michigan Street in Plymouth. Since then, they have enjoyed working alongside other business owners and being a part of the Plymouth community.
Sally and Oris McGuire
“We feel fortunate to have this rich history guiding us into the future,” comments Lori McGuire Van Duyne, “I remember Mr. Fernbaugh from being a small child in the jewelry store with my parents.” Lori has fond memories of working with Alvin and Florence from when she started working in the original store in high school. She feels secure in knowing that both stores’ futures look brilliant for the next generation.
Lori has been working in the jewelry industry since she was a teenager working for her parents. She specializes in diamond buying and has traveled to Antwerp, one of the diamond capitals of the world, several times to buy loose diamonds. She enjoys custom design whether from scratch or remaking or redesigning an existing piece. She also handles all appraisals. She knows her customers’ jewelry top to bottom and can even identify a customer by their pieces alone. Plymouth can always trust Lori to find or build the perfect piece.
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Lori’s husband, Brian, acts as the Plymouth location’s in house jeweler. He has been working as a jeweler since the early 90s. He can handle almost any repair from ring sizing to watch movements, laser welding, hand engraving, stone setting, custom design and sketching. Unlike jewelry store chains, having an in house jeweler gives shoppers peace of mind that their jewelry won’t be sent to an outside contractor. In addition to his responsibilities as jeweler, Brian has taken on updating the store’s technology since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. From the website to the store’s Facebook live presentations, Brian has been behind the scenes making sure everything runs smoothly.
L to R: Samantha Murray, Morgan Garrison, Lori Van Duyne, Brian Van Duyne
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In the years since opening in Plymouth, Lori and Brian have built a knowledgeable staff who keeps customers coming back. Manager Samantha Murray, who started in 2006, can help with anything from picking out the perfect engagement ring to answering questions on jewelry repair. Sam knows everyone that walks in the door and makes patrons feel like they’re visiting with a friend, not dealing with a salesperson. She knows her customer’s tastes and can help anyone find a gift their loved one will enjoy wearing for years to come.
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This past year, they added customer specialist Morgan Garrison. While she’s still learning the ins and outs of the jewelry business, she helps Brian with the website and social media channels by photographing product and writing blog posts. She also helps out with small jewelry repairs, watch batteries, and hand engraving. The next skill she’s hoping to master is laser welding.
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Fernbaugh’s is also a member of the Retail Jeweler’s Organization, or RJO, a national buying group that allows them to get manufacturer direct pricing on sparkling diamonds, colored stones, and detailed gold. Being an RJO member also allows Fernbaugh’s staff to reach out to other jewelers for help finding an elusive piece of jewelry.
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Whether a customer is in search of the perfect bridal set, a unique birthday gift, anniversary band, an add-a-pearl for a precious daughter, or a keepsake gift for a graduating young man, the Indiana jewelers of Fernbaugh’s Diamonds and Fine Jewelry can help. If nothing in stock fits the bill, everything from ash holders to long lost favorite necklaces can be custom made. Fernbaugh’s thrives on helping customers find the perfect gift, the perfect memory, whatever the moment means to that customer.
