Terry Barner

Terry Barner, the son of a career Army Father, was born in Fort Knox Kentucky. His life experiences growing up in a military environment gave Terry a unique appreciation of cultures in both the United States and in other countries. Growing up in a military family created many unique demands on his childhood. Each time his father changed duty stations, he changed location, schools, and friends. He graduated from Kubasaki High School in Okinawa, Japan where he first developed his love of gemstones and precious metals. Terry was introduced to gemstones on Okinawa and took advantage of the opportunities to use a lapidary, available to the military and dependants, and to design, cast, and cut stones to create unique gifts for his family and friends. Terry began his career in fine jewelry when he went to work for Zales Jewelers on Congress Avenue, Austin in 1977. He managed a store for Zale Corporation until 1985 when the location, then at NorthCross Mall, was sold to Barry’s Jewelers Corporation and he continued to work and manage stores at various locations for Barry’s Jewelers Corporation in Austin and Killeen, Texas until 1995. Terry also attended and received a certificate for computer programming from Durham Business College in 1977. The career he started in retail jewelry has remained his primary passion. Terry managed Gordon’s Jewelers at Lakeline Mall from 1995 until 2010 and has continued to gain knowledge by taking courses and completing a diamond course from Diamond Council of America. He has completed the courses necessary to be a Graduate Gemologist, G.G. and an Accredited Jewelry Professional, AJP from the Gemological Institute of America, The long term associations he has made developing and retaining new clients has kept Terry devoted to the jewelry industry. Many of his customers have become his friends. Terry is looking forward to working with Linh again, and with her staff. Terry has known Linh for a long time since he was her former manager when she worked at Gordon's Jeweler. They are good friends. Terry expects to continue to learn and grow in the jewelry industry because it has proven to be fulfilling and rewarding on many levels.