Beyond Tradition: How Ferndale's Giorgio Conti Is Helping Local Couples Select Wedding Jewelry As Unique As Their Love Stories
How owner Joseph Shihadeh helps couples express joy and authenticity through the art of jewelry
This content is made possible through our partnership with Giorgio Conti Jewelers. Learn more about this LGBTQ-owned Ferndale business at www.gconti.com.
In the realm of wedding planning, jewelry selection stands as one of the most personal and enduring choices couples make. For LGBTQ+ couples, this process offers a unique opportunity to break from convention and create pieces that truly reflect their relationship, identities — and their love story.
At Giorgio Conti in Ferndale, Joseph Shihadeh, owner and member of the LGBTQ+ community, has built a reputation for creating a welcoming space where couples can explore their options without pressure or preconceptions.
"I've always believed jewelry should be as unique as the relationship it symbolizes," says Shihadeh. "When LGBTQ+ couples walk through our doors, they aren't forced into traditional boxes. We start with their story and build from there."
Since moving to Ferndale in early 2024, Giorgio Conti, a family-owned business with a 40-year history in the region, has quickly established itself as more than just a jewelry store — Shihadeh has been intentional about being a good community partner. The store has sponsored the annual Affirmations benefit gala, Ferndale Pride, hosted Pride parties and co-chairs and sponsors the CARE Night Gala, an event benefiting CARE House in Oakland County, a non-profit serving children in need. This community-centered approach extends naturally from Shihadeh's business philosophy, which centers on ensuring clients feel comfortable, respected and engaged in the jewelry selection process.
For many LGBTQ+ couples, jewelry shopping can trigger anxiety about potential awkwardness or discrimination. Giorgio Conti has built its reputation on creating a genuinely inclusive environment where every couple receives the same enthusiastic service. The store's approach involves private consultations where couples can explore options in a pressure-free environment. For couples who want to invest in something truly unique, on-site artisans can create custom pieces inside the store’s workshop.
"The jewelry industry has historically been very traditional in how it approaches couples," Shihadeh explains. "We've deliberately built a different model. When couples visit us, there's no assumption about who's wearing what or which traditional role anyone fills. We simply listen and help translate their vision into something tangible."
Redefining engagement graditions: custom pieces that tell your story
While traditional engagement scenarios often follow predictable scripts, Shihadeh notes that today, many LGBTQ+ couples are writing their own rules. Men's engagement rings have seen a significant rise in popularity, for example, with couples embracing designs that range from subtle to statement-making. Still, other couples continue opting for traditional, timeless styles — it’s all about what feels right for each couple.
Giorgio Conti's in-house artisans specialize in translating personal stories into wearable art. From incorporating significant dates in Morse code along a band's interior to setting stones that represent meaningful locations, the possibilities can extend far beyond the traditional solitaire.
Custom pieces often incorporate elements from a couple's journey together. Engagement bands might feature tiny gemstones representing significant locations, like sapphires symbolizing a lake where couples first met. Some couples include constellation engravings matching the night sky from a memorable evening. Using family heirloom jewelry as a starting point is another popular approach. These personalized details transform jewelry from mere accessories into profound storytellers, carrying the couple's shared history in every facet and curve.
"Jewelry can tell your unique story," Shihadeh explains. "When couples bring their personal narrative to the design process, what we create together becomes a daily reminder of not just their commitment, but the journey that brought them to this moment."
While personal significance remains paramount, several trends have emerged in LGBTQ+ wedding jewelry:
- Mixed metals have gained popularity, with couples embracing combinations of white, yellow and rose gold in single pieces or as complementary sets.
- Colored gemstones continue to replace or accompany diamonds, allowing for more personalization and often providing ethical sourcing options.
- Asymmetry and intentional "imperfections" reflect the organic nature of relationships, with hand-hammered textures and natural stone inclusions celebrated rather than hidden.
Vintage pieces are always on-trend, as well, including family heirloom pieces and unique jewelry the store brings in from various sources. These timeless treasures not only carry rich histories and craftsmanship rarely found in modern production, but they also offer LGBTQ+ couples the opportunity to redefine traditional symbols through pieces that reflect their personal style and shared journey.
"The most significant trend I've observed is the move toward authenticity," says Shihadeh. "Couples are less concerned with what wedding jewelry 'should' look like and more focused on what feels genuine to them. That's where the magic happens."
Beyond engagement rings: the rise of couples' gifts
Many LGBTQ+ couples have embraced exchanging significant jewelry gifts alongside or instead of rings. These pieces — watches, bracelets, necklaces or custom creations — serve as daily reminders of commitment while allowing individual expression.
"We're seeing more couples select pieces that complement each other without necessarily matching," says Shihadeh. "It might be watches with complementary designs but different details, or necklaces that create a whole when brought together." Shihadeh notes a growing trend in brooches, particularly vintage and estate pieces for men, which have become popular as couples' gifts. The store's recent "brooch party" featured both new designs and one-of-a-kind estate selections, which proved especially appealing to their clientele.
"Our wedding in Lake Como was magical, and the jewelry we got from Giorgio Conti Jewelers in Ferndale made it even more meaningful,” recently married couple Drew and Dorian Grey said. “The rings and gifts were exactly what we wanted — truly a beautiful experience!"
Giorgio Conti's design team works closely with couples to understand their style preferences, creating pieces that work beautifully on their own while forming a cohesive story when viewed together.
Beginning your jewelry journey
For couples beginning their wedding jewelry search, Shihadeh offers this advice: "Start with what matters to you, not necessarily what tradition dictates. Our happiest couples are those who bring their full selves to the process to either create something custom or to select more traditional, timeless pieces that feel right to them."
Giorgio Conti welcomes appointments for consultations where couples can explore options without obligation. The store’s artisan jewelry makers, who are based in Giorgi Conti’s in-house Ferndale workshop, can start with existing heirloom pieces, ethically sourced new materials or combinations of both.
"At the end of the day," Shihadeh says, "wedding jewelry should bring joy — both in the choosing and in the wearing. When you look down at your hand or see your partner wearing their piece, you should feel your shared story reflected back at you. That's our ultimate goal for every couple we serve."
This content is made possible through our partnership with Giorgio Conti Jewelers. Learn more about this LGBTQ-owned Ferndale business at www.gconti.com.
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