For nearly all of his life, Billy Stagner has been good with his hands, he said.

A carpenter by trade, the co-owner of Acori Diamonds & Design in Friendswood entered the jewelry business after some acquaintances introduced him to the industry.

“Prior to starting jewelry work, I did carpentry,” Stagner said. “I think I was one of the rare teenagers who had a 10-inch Craftsman saw. I ended up figuring out I could buy some gold wire and some pliers, and I could figure out how to make cursive names [in the wire] and make it into a stick pin. That was my first jump into making jewelry.”

Stagner had no formal training in the industry but found mentors to teach him tricks of the trade. He opened Acori in 1975, turning his hobby into a business opportunity.

“I ended up finding people [who] could educate me,” Stagner said. “They weren’t formal [teachers]; they were just really good in their little niche. Some people could draw. Some people could set gems and diamonds. I would go spend a few days with them and learn what they knew how to do.”

In 1984, Stagner’s then-girlfriend began working at Acori. Billy and Connie Stagner married the next year and have run the business together ever since.

The shop creates custom jewelry in addition to offering repairs and name-brand pieces.

With more than 40 years in the industry, the Stagners said they pride themselves on producing quality jewelry along with long-lasting relationships in the community.

“This is our life,” Connie said. “This is what we do. This is what we love. This is our passion. We get to build relationships with the people that come to us. They become more like our friends and family than just someone walking in the store [who] wants to purchase something.”

Billy said the couple’s focus on quality products and strong relationships has manifested in ways the couple never anticipated.

“It’s ended up being a very good business strategy without even knowing it,” he said. “People refer their friends because of that pleasing experience for an item they enjoy. Now, after many years, we see [referrals], but that was not part of the original plan.”

For Connie, life in the jewelry business has never been a job. She and Billy have been able to create careers in a world they are passionate about.

“This is what we love to do, [and] we get to do it for great people,” Connie said. “We have wonderful clients. They’re very good to us, and we’re very grateful. People can shop anywhere. We’re grateful and happy that they support us, and we do our best to make them happy and proud that they chose us.”