By MOLLIE BROWN / Business Columnist

If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, then Anthony & Co. Jewelers is a girl’s favorite place to shop.

The jewelry business runs deep in owner Bryon Anthony Montalbano’s veins. “Anthony & Co. has been in the jewelry business since 1965. Prior to 1994 when our retail business started, my granddad Tony owned Tony’s Watch & Diamond that was located in Birmingham. The company wholesaled jewelry and created pieces for Everwed, a well-known prestigious jeweler.”

Bryon’s 20 plus years of experience began with working for his granddad. What sets Anthony & Co. apart from other jewelers is their reputation for high-end jewelry at reasonable prices and customer care.

“Bryon understands what our customers are looking for,” Jennifer said. “If a customer likes several pieces, Bryon works from the ground up to integrate those likes into a custom designed piece. Many of our customers bring in family pieces and Bryon redesigns them, giving them a modern design.”

Anthony & Co. specialize in engagements, they said. A stunning array of diamond rings set in gold, platinum and palladium are displayed in glass showcases. The store sells only Sultana watches and carries brands such as Sorrelli and Chamilia.

Jennifer acquired a degree in marketing at Auburn University and worked for Rich’s prior to staying home to raise their four daughters. She and Bryon have been married 13 years are very involved with their daughters, The Church at Cahaba Bend and the Helena community.

“Jen helps coach Helena youth football cheerleaders. I’m a big bass fisherman, you’ll see me in tournaments at Lay Lake, Guntersville-just about the whole state. We’re open by appointment only on Mondays because we spend a couple of hours with friends at Brother Bryan Park feeding the homeless.”

Anthony & Co. buys gold, trades and offers full service jewelry repair. The business, located at 2080 Valleydale Road next door to Ragtime Café in the Palladium Place strip mall, is open T-F, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Find them on the web, anthonyjewelers.com, or call 987-2224 for additional information on services. Check out their reviews on Facebook, “like” to receive upcoming specials.