A new jewelry store has opened its doors in American Fork.

Bangerter Jewelers carries bracelets, necklaces, earrings, engagement and wedding rings, anniversary and other rings, candles, candlewarmers, gifts and more. Their specialty, however, is custom jewelry.

"If you can draw it, we can make it," said Heather Bangerter, co-owner with her husband Dallan.

"Our specialty is custom. We want you to have exactly what you want. If you have a picture, we will make it."

They offer consultations for those who may not have a picture or design they want, but have an idea. "We will work with them, go through catalogs and pull pictures until they are satisfied," Bangerter said.

The custom design process takes about four weeks, she said.

"We do a wax setting first and put the stones in it so they can see what it will look like," she said. "Then we cast it into gold."

The store has been open since the day after Thanksgiving. The response has been good, said Bangerter. "People don't have to go to the mall to go to a jewelry store. They like that."

Another thing customers seem to enjoy is the low pressure atmosphere in the store, she said. Bangerter was raised in the business and has learned it since she was young.

The daughter of Scott and Sheila Kelly, she helped out at Kelly Jewelers in Murray, the store her father owns. "I kind of grew up in it," she said. She started out helping on Saturdays, and grew to where she ran the store for two years. "I was actually going to take over my dad's store."

Instead, she and Dallan decided to open a new store, close to their Lehi home.

They emphasize customer service. "We keep up on fashion and styles, both men's and women's," Bangerter said. "We are very competitive in pricing, but we have a lot higher quality than the chain stores. You are getting a lot better quality. We make the mountings to last for a lifetime. It is like tin foil vs. gold. You won't have a lot of repair work."

The Bangerters said they would cater to every budget, offering cubic zircona, moissanite and diamonds, and silver, gold and high end platinum.

She offered advice to ring buyers. "It is best to get your mountings first," Bangerter said. "You can get your diamond when you have more money. Jewelry is not a need. It is a want. If you are going to have it, you might as well have what you want."

She identified princess and round as the most popular diamond cuts today.

The store is located at 476 N. 900 West, American Fork. It shares a an entrance with the new Del Taco, north across State Street from The Meadows. They are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Their phone number is 492-6022.

This story appeared in North County on page A5.