


VENETIAN PRINCESS PIROUETTE

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VENETIAN PRINCESS PIROUETTE

As we celebrate how far we’ve come in the two decades since the fire that destroyed the original Zachary’s store, it felt only fitting that we dedicate this issue to gratitude. On the night we reopened the store on December 2nd, 2005, Senator John Astle described me as the George Bailey of Annapolis. Never having seen It’s a Wonderful Life, the reference eluded me at first. Many years and many viewings of the classic movie later, I am humbled by the comparison. We can learn a lot from George Bailey, including how to stand up for what is right, how true success isn’t always measured in wealth but on the impact you make on others’ lives, and most importantly, that “no man is a failure who has friends.”

Speaking of the many wonderful people I am fortunate to surround myself with, one of them joined the team ten years ago. Constance’s ability to lead with heart and integrity has helped shape Zachary’s ever since, and her passion for this business and the jewelry community, both nationally and internationally, is truly inspiring. You’ll read more about her life-changing trip to Botswana and her many contributions elsewhere in this issue.
Also in this issue, ride along with Cadina as she spends the morning with Annapolis’ everyday heroes, and discover how Erica helps us answer the call whenever local charities ask for support. Catch Leslie, radiant in diamonds, in a stunning fashion feature as she steps into her new role as buyer, while my sister, Daphne, begins a new chapter—part-time at Zachary’s and full-time as “Yaya.” Our family has been blessed this summer with the arrival of my great niece in July, and we are overjoyed to welcome her into our lives.
I invite you to turn the page, read more about the special people that make Zachary’s what it is today, and discover how this has become a truly wonderful life.

Steve Samaras
100 Main Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
410.266.5555
ZacharysJewelers.com

















































Gratitude is a kind of light—it softens our days and makes even the simplest moments luminous. This season, ALOR captures that spirit with jewelry that becomes more than adornment... It’s a gesture of thanks, a symbol of connection, and a celebration of life’s most meaningful moments.
The Halo Collection shines with this
Sometimes gratitude is found in the softest gestures: a smile shared in passing, the stillness of a quiet morning, the courage of a small step forward. ALOR’s diamond necklaces gratitude—timeless, refined pieces to wear alone or layered, resting against the skin as daily reminders of appreciation.





Gratitude is meant to be shared universally. Gentlemen’s Collection, ALOR





the resilience, confidence, and accomplishments that deserve recognition.
Every piece of ALOR jewelry is gratitude made tangible. To give it is to say thank you: For love, for friendship, for milestones big and small. To wear it is to honor your journey and your joys.




This holiday season, let ALOR be the language of your gratitude. With every gift, a thank you lingers, and with every piece, appreciation becomes timeless.

















Constance Polamalu, COO of Zachary’s Jewelers and designer behind Birthright Foundry, a fine jewelry brand inspired by her American Samoan heritage, was named a 2021 Emerging Diamond Designer by the Natural Diamond Council and Lorraine Schwartz. She serves on the boards of the Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce, Diamonds Do Good, Jewelers of America, and Luxury, and was recognized among Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 in 2022.
Two to three billion years ago, diamonds were born in heat and pressure so intense it’s hard to imagine. And yet there I was, standing at the edge of a pit so big it swallows the horizon: The King of Mines, as they call it. It isn’t mining in Botswana, it is “liberating” diamonds as my new friends teach me. The operation is cautiously methodical, pulling back layers upon layers of rock to reveal flashes of something eternal. Something, we will use back home to mark the most important occasions of our lives, a diamond.
Once pried loose from the kimberlite pipes, the stones are herded into sorting facilities. Size. Shape. Color. Piles upon piles. It’s clinical, methodical, the opposite of romance... Until you see the cutters arrive for sight week. These men and women come from across the world, eyeglasses perched, leaning over tables of rough as though peering into the future. They poke, prod, whisper. It feels a little like a poker game, a little like a pilgrimage.




The real magic, though, is in the planning rooms. Technology maps out each stone, plotting where light will bend and scatter. Imagine designing a city where every building reflects the sun just so, except it’s all inside a crystal smaller than your fingernail. Then the rough goes to the cutters, recordplayer-like wheels spinning with a slurry of diamond dust and grease. Only a diamond can cut another diamond. It’s precise. It’s obsessive. It’s art.
And in Botswana, it’s also humane. These facilities could have been gray, industrial boxes. Instead, they have gardens where employees pick fresh produce for lunch. They have daycare on site, so mothers can see their babies between polishing runs. Workers told me how much that half hour at lunch means to them. I believed them. I’ve had days where an extra thirty minutes with my boys feels like stolen treasure.





Diamonds here don’t just sparkle; they build roads, fund schools, and put food on tables. Mining is more than a job, it’s a badge of honor. I met miners who talked about the company soccer team like it was the World Cup. Beyond the mines, there’s Diamonds Do Good, a grant program that invests in entrepreneurs in diamond-producing regions. That’s where I met Tshireletso. A farmer with a degree in supply chain economics; she started with herbs because her parents couldn’t stomach the local spices anymore. Mediterranean herbs, grown in a windowsill and then a backyard plot. It grew. Markets demanded more. She needed land. A grant from Diamonds Do Good gave her the boost. Soon, she was growing tomatoes and cabbages, then building greenhouses to flip the calendar and farm when no one else could. Smart. Scrappy. Pure hustle.



Because that’s what diamonds are, really. Pressure. Heat. Time. And the chance to shine when given the cut.







I sat in on the Diamonds Do Good Shark Tank-style competition this year. Entrepreneurs pitching ideas, asking for just enough to turn vision into reality. No handouts. No pity. Just grit and opportunity colliding. And when we chose the winners, it wasn’t about who needed help the most. It was about who would do the most with it.










zacharysjewelers.com




































For 25 years, Marco Bicego has been defining modern elegance with jewelry that radiates confidence and beauty. Crafted in Italy in rich 18 karat gold, the collection is beloved by women who choose it to celebrate themselves — and cherished as gifts, chosen by those who wish to honor the women they love.
To mark this anniversary, the brand presents 25 Best—a special curation of favorite designs from across the years, each one a testament to the artistry and passion that have shaped their journey.




















Every piece of jewelry is meticulously crafted by master artisans, balancing timeless design with a contemporary spirit. Together, these highlights capture the essence of the brand: refined elegance, effortless luxury, and enduring style.
At Zachary’s, we are deeply grateful to share in Marco Bicego’s 25-year story — honoring their vision and celebrating the beauty they continue to bring into the world.





Never before told stories from our team and the brave firefighters who stood in the smoke and the ashes, and remind us every day that...

OnNovember 25, 2005, Zachary’s Jewelers faced an unexpected crisis when a fire swept through our downtown store.
Thankfully, no one was hurt, but our business was at risk. With the holidays just days away, we had a choice: rebuild slowly or find a way to open right away.
We chose to rally. Invitations for our annual holiday party had already gone out, and with incredible support, we set out to reopen the store in just seven days.
Hundreds of tasks later, we reopened for the holiday celebration.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” was referenced, and the comparison rang true— like George Bailey, I was surrounded by a community that helped turned devastation into hope.
These are the stories of those who stood with us 20 years ago, reminding us that Zachary’s isn’t just a store— it’s a family, strengthened by resilience, gratitude, and the people who refused to let us fall.
STEVE'S STORY
When Errol called to tell me what was happening, I rushed down. By the time I got there, the street was filled with smoke and fire trucks. My first instinct was to run inside, but the firemen stopped me.
What I remember most wasn’t the fire itself but what happened after. My phone never stopped ringing. All through the night, people were checking on us. Customers, friends, everyone wanted to make sure we were okay.
One of the first calls I remember came all the way from Italy, where a customer was
traveling. He had recently bought an engagement ring from us and had asked if I would keep it safe until he returned. “Safer here than anywhere else,” I told him. When he called that morning, his voice was frantic: “Is my ring OK?” Then, after a pause, he added, “Oh, and by the way… how are you doing?”

Fortunately, thanks to Errol’s quick thinking, all of our customers’ jewelry was safely secured in the fire-proof vault. Everything, including his ring, was fine. Even in the middle of turmoil, that call reminded me what Zachary’s has always been about: the people who care, and the little moments of humor that help you get through anything.
ERROL’S STORY
I was inside the store when the fire broke out. The smoke was getting thick and I just wanted to make sure everything was locked and secured. The firemen finally had to pull me out.
What I remember most is a
customer who happened to be there with us when the fire broke out, looking at a diamond for his wife. In the middle of all that chaos, he stayed calm. A little while later, he came back and bought the diamond, a six-carat round brilliant. He didn’t do it for the diamond. He did it to support us.
He was one of my favorite people. I miss him and I’ll never forget that gesture. In a time when things felt uncertain, he reminded me what Zachary’s is built on: people who care enough to stand with you when it matters.



EVANGELINE'S STORY
I’ll never forget the fire in 2005. I was pregnant, after trying so hard to get there, and just days before we had already gone through two
traumatic events—my dad passing and my sister’s heart attack. In Greek families, we always say things happen in threes, so when I turned the corner and saw the store in flames, I dropped to my
knees. As sad as it was, in that moment I knew the third loss wasn’t my baby. And even in all that heartbreak, I felt this deep sense of gratitude.
DEPUTY CHIEF MIKE
MADISON'S STORY
I've been with the AFD for over 30 years. I knew the Samaras family because I was born and raised in
Annapolis, so I knew their work ethic, their tie to community, and that they're all around good people. They were working hard to get back into business and the community supported them.

I'm happy the fire didn't destroy their family business because they're good people and it's great to see them thriving in the community.
DOUG'S STORY
I was home when my sister called and said, “Zachary’s is on fire!” I jumped in my car and when I arrived, the street was closed, the building was in flames, and everyone was huddled across the street. That night, we decided to do everything we could to reopen.
The next morning, chaos
turned into a scavenger hunt.
A coworker and I snuck in through a hole in the wall to grab the hard drive and a few essentials, carefully tiptoeing around the collapsed floor. We left behind those overplayed CDs and giant ceramic swans, because who really needed them anyway? On our way out, the fire marshal caught us and gave us a good-natured tongue-
lashing. Lesson learned!
What struck me most was Steve's determination. Deeply connected to the community, it was incredible to watch people rally around him. That night showed me the strength of our team, the power of our community, and ultimately brought me back to Zachary’s full time. I’ll never forget it.

AFD FIRE CHIEF
REMALLEY'S STORY
I remember it was so much water that it was ankle deep and you could see jewelry coming out of the building and flowing down into the storm drain. The firefighters couldn't even grab it. It went by so quick, I remember watching some rings going right down the drain. I wish we could have stopped it, but it happened that quickly.
ERICA'S STORY
It was Black Friday and we were open late when a guy ran in asking if we had a fire extinguisher. There was a fire in the wall next to the store. We didn’t realize how serious
it was, so Errol kept telling us, “break it down, break it down,” meaning get all the jewelry into the vault. Then a firefighter came in—he was all suited up in his gear and to petite me, he looked like a giant—and told us we had to
evacuate. He warned, “If you don’t leave the store, I’ll throw you over my shoulder.” It was freezing, the hoses were everywhere, and when we finally stepped across the street, the building looked like a movie inferno.



































Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, she will rise again.
| Pricing upon request
| Pricing upon request
14kt. Yellow gold diamond cuff band | $6,440
18kt. Marco Bicego "Lucia" yellow gold domed diamond ring | $3,350
18kt. White gold in/out diamond hoop earrings 18.33ct. tw. | Pricing upon request
4.92cts.tw. | $35,000
17.85cts.tw. | $45,000
| $3,130
18kt.
18kt.
| $1,270-$2,500
18kt. White gold long swoop tear drop pin 5.30cts. | $16,900
| $7,650














































Engaged just minutes before the party!



















We were inspired by nearly 50 local businesses who applied for our inaugural $5,000 grant—each one driven by passion, purpose, and a deep commitment to our Annapolis community. From investing in employees to serving customers with heart, your stories reminded us why this city is so special.
This year’s grant was awarded to Amanda Fisher of ABF Coaching, a certified Executive & Leadership Coach who helps women in mission-driven roles grow as leaders and amplify their impact. Amanda’s work empowers those already making a difference to lead with even greater clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Her coaching creates ripple effects across the community—supporting women who are leading nonprofits, social enterprises, and purpose-driven teams. With this grant, Amanda plans to expand her reach and continue helping others step into their full potential.
We’re proud to support Amanda and honored by the passion of every applicant. Thank you for showing us just how much heart lives in Annapolis. You are what makes this community thrive.
As part of our commitment to giving back and in the spirit of gratitude, we also donated $1,000 to the Eastport Fire Department in recognition of their hard work, dedication to keeping our community safe, and for generously providing the location for our 2025 Zachary’s Magazine fashion shoot. We’re eternally grateful for all they do.








Since the early 1990s, Zachary’s Jewelers has believed that our greatest treasure isn’t found in a showcase but in the strength of our community. From the start, Steve Samaras understood that the support of Annapolis and its neighbors was the foundation of everything we’ve built. Because of that, giving back has never been an afterthought. It has been a responsibility, a privilege, and a promise.
Through the years, we’ve had the honor of standing beside the organizations that hold our community together. Erica Cureton, who leads our outreach efforts, often says that we never say “no” to a local need and it’s true. We continue to support countless local schools, clubs, and nonprofits, knowing that these charities are the heartbeat of Annapolis. They are the ones

lifting families in their hardest times, giving children opportunities to grow, and reminding us all what compassion looks like in action.
We give because we are grateful. We give because we are indebted to the community that has stood by us through every season. But most importantly, we give because we believe that the measure of a life, and a business, is found in the love and support we pour back into others.
As Steve often reflects, “The community has always been there for us. It’s only right that we’re always there for them.”
For more than three decades, that spirit has guided us and it will continue to guide us for many years to come.


Alzheimer’s Association
American Cancer Society
American Heart Society
American Legion
Annapolis Chorale
Annapolis Elementary School
Annapolis Garden Club
Annapolis High School
Annapolis Irish Rowing Club
Annapolis Kiwanis Club
Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park
Annapolis Middle School
Annapolis Opera
Annapolis Recreation & Parks
Annapolis Rotaract Club
Annapolis Rotary Club
Annapolis Senior Activity Center
Annapolis Symphony Orchestra
Annapolis Wellness Center
Anne Arundel Community College
Anne Arundel Medical Center
Archbishop Spalding
Arthritis Foundation
Arts Council of Anne Arundel County
Arundel High Athletic Booster
Arundel High Music
Arundel High School
Asbury Christian Autism Society
Avon Breast Cancer
Back Creek Crab Event
Ballet Theater of Maryland
Bates Middle School
Bay Ridge Association Bay Theatre
Benfield PTA
Benfield School Fun Run
Bogies & Birdies Golf Tournament
Bowen Foundation
Bowie High School Box of Rain
Boys & Girls Club
Boys Scouts of America
Broadneck Elementary School
Broadneck High School
Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation
Calverton School
Camp Letts
Canine Companions for Independence
Cape St. Claire Elementary School
Care First Gala
Carol for a Cause
CASA
Catholic Charities
Celebrate Hope Foundation
Central Middle School
Chamber of Commerce
Chaney Foundation
Charles Carrol House
Chesapeake Academy
Chesapeake Ballet Company
Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center
Chesapeake Bay Trust
Chesapeake Children’s Museum
Chesapeake K9 Fund
Children Cancer Fund
Children’s Cancer Foundation
Children’s Guild
Children’s Theatre of Annapolis
Colonial Players Conference & Visitors Bureau
Cystic Fibrosis
Dare to Care
Davidsonville Elementary
DeCesaris Foundation
Delta Gamma
Earleigh Heights Firehouse
Easter Seals
Eastport Democratic Club
Eastport UMC
Eastport Yacht Club
Parade of Lights
Faces of Valor FBLA
Federation of Art
Ferndale Fire
Fish For A Cure
Folger McKinsey
Elementary School Food Link Force 3
Friends Foundation
Friends of Broadneck Park
Gambrills Athletic Club
Garden Club of Annapolis
Garrett’s Light
Gigi’s Playhouse
Girl Scouts of America
Goodwill Industries
Greater Severna Park
Mother’s Club
Green Hornets
Gunston Day School
Harbor School
Heart Association
Heels And Wheels
Hillsmere Elementary School
Historic Annapolis Foundation
Holly Ball
Homestead Gardens
Hopkins Children
Hospice of the Chesapeake Hospice100
Hunt Meadow 5k
Indian Creek
Jaycee’s
Jewish Federation of
Howard County
Johns Hopkins Pediatric Cardiology
Joshua Hamer Memorial Crab Feast
Junior League
Juvenile Diabetes
Research
Key School
Knights Of Pythian Lab Rescue
Ladies Auxiliary Fleet Reserve
Lake Shore Volunteer Fire
Leukemia Cup Regatta
Leukemia Foundation
Leukemia Lymphoma Society
Lighthouse Shelter
Links Foundation
Naptown Philharmonic Orchestra
Magothy Cooperative Preschool
Magothy River Middle School
Make A Wish Foundation
March Of Dimes
Marines Helping Heroes
Maryland Foster Youth
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
Maryland Therapeutic
Riding Association
Mid-Atlantic Association of Women
Military Academy
Maritime Republic of Eastport
MSEA
Mt Olive Church
Naval Academy
Preparatory School
Navy Marine Corps Ball
North High School
Northern High Nursery School
Oak Hill Elementary
One Annapolis Virtual
Fashion Show
Opportunity
Builders
Oyster Recovery Partnership
Paint Annapolis
Palmer Memorial Foundation
Panhellenic Club of Annapolis
PASA
Pascal Youth
Pathways School
Pink Lady Ball
Playing for Patriots
Providence Center
Quickstix
Red Romo Scholarship
Reichardt Foundation
Rheumatology Foundation
Rise For Autism
Robert Pascal Foundation
Rockbridge Academy
Roedown
Rolling Knolls Elementary School
Rotary Club
Royal Blue Club
Safari Club International
Sails and Tails
Sarah’s House
Save the Coconuts
Scenic Rivers Land Trust
School Of the Incarnation
Seafood Festival
Seeds 4 Success
Severn Crossroads Foundation
Severn River Association
Severn School
Severn Town Club
Severna Forest Community Association
Severna Park Community Center
Severna Park Elementary School
Severna Park High School
Severna Park Swimming Association
Shipleys Choice
Skin Cancer Foundation
Sojourner Douglas College
South County Pre-k Co-op
South River Federation
South River High
South Shore Elementary
Spa Creek Conservancy
SPCA
St. John the Evangelist
St. Martins Day School
St. Andrew's
St. Anne’s
St. Baldricks Foundation
St. Joseph School
St. Jude's
St. Martins-in-the-Field
St. Mary’s Parish & Schools
St. Paul’s Lutheran School
St. Peters Day School
St. Thomas Day School
Stepping Out for Breast Cancer
Sts. Constantine & Helen
Sturge Weber Center
Summer Garden Theatre
Summit School
Sunshine Kids
Surf Rider Foundation
Talisman Therapeutic Riding
Taste And Sip Taste Buds
Taste of the Bay Teen Challenge of Baltimore
Temple Beth Shalom
Texas Coalition USNA Parents
The Bernie House
The Talent Machine
Thomas Point Lighthouse
Gala
Tiny Miracles
Tom Ribis Fund
Trade Council
Travis Manion Foundation
Treasure the Chesapeake
Tri-Delt
Trudy Humphreys Foundation
Truxton Park Penguin
Swim
UMC Fall Fest
United Way
USNA Alumni Association
USNA Color Guard
USNA Parents Club
Vets on the Bay
Vincent’s Run
Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County
We Believe Foundation
We Care and Friends
Wellness House of Annapolis
West Annapolis
Elementary School
Wheels & Wings
Windsor Farm Elementary School
Windy Hill Elementary School
World Of Hope
Wounded Warriors
YMCA
Young Life
Young Life Anne Arundel County
YWCA
Zach’s Life Foundation

“Serving our community and supporting local charities is a cornerstone of Zachary’s Jewelers. These are all special organizations that we are proud to assist. They are all about helping those who need it most at a grass roots level. You can continue to count on Zachary’s to be there with you.”
Steve Samaras OWNER, ZACHARY’S JEWELERS

This fall, we kicked off our very first Trunk Shows, bringing a little bit of the sparkle (and magic) of Las Vegas right to Annapolis. Our clients got an exclusive peek at the extraordinary designers we adore but don’t yet carry at Zachary’s, turning the event into part treasure hunt, part style adventure. Even better, you helped us decide which of these dazzling designers might earn a permanent spot in our showcases. It was a celebration of discovery, fun, and, of course, unforgettable

Just the right balance of simple and elegant.




















Color re-imagined into heirloomworthy pieces with a “where did you get that” kind of cool.










Karen’s jewelry is other-worldly. One-of-a-kind gems, dreamy settings. Call it art, call it invention. We want to call it ours!





People often ask if we have vintage, estate or antique jewelry. While generally not in store, we do have very strong partnerships worldwide that make sourcing anything possible!


Obsessed with these stretchy bracelets!








Lex makes diamonds and pearls so approachable, it’s impossible to just buy one of anything!

Luckily you can’t go wrong - everything pairs with the next... and the next!
















@photographydujour
























18kt. Elongated cushion yellow diamond bezel pendant | Pricing upon request 14kt. Yellow gold satin/polished lariat 18” & dangle earrings | $2,325 | $1,295
AS A ZACHARY’S JEWELERS VIP, ENJOY THESE SPECIAL GIFTS
OFFER VALID IN-STORE ONLY THROUGH DECEMBER 2025 VALID ON PURCHASES OF ANY ONE ITEM $500-$2,499.
Offer is good for $100 off the retail price of your next purchase of $500-$2,499 at Zachary’s. These certificates must be presented at time of purchase to receive offer. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer, accommodation or promotion, and is not valid for gift certificate purchases. Certain restrictions apply. Not valid on prior purchases or bill payments. Select vendors and product excluded. One offer per customer allowed. Offer is non-transferable. Valid on in-stock items only.
OFFER VALID IN-STORE ONLY THROUGH DECEMBER 2025. VALID ON PURCHASES OF $2,500 OR MORE.
Offer is good for $500 off the retail price of your next purchase of $2,500 or more at Zachary’s. These certificates must be presented at time of purchase to receive offer. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer, accommodation or promotion, and is not valid for gift certificate purchases. Certain restrictions apply. Not valid on prior purchases or bill payments. Select vendors and product excluded. One offer per customer allowed. Offer is non-transferable. Valid on in-stock items only.





We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Eastport Volunteer Fire Company for generously opening your overhead doors to us for our 2025 Zachary’s Magazine. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to work in such a dynamic and meaningful environment. We couldn’t have asked for a better setting to bring our vision to life thanks to your professionalism and hospitality.
Beyond just providing a location, we are especially thankful to the firefighters of the Eastport Volunteer Fire Company who personally participated both in front of and behind the camera. You helped us highlight the dedication and heart that define your service to our community, a service we critically depended on back in 2005 and continue to rely on today. Thank you again for your support and for playing such an important role in helping us bring our “fire story” to our loyal readers.




We often measure life in years. Since the night of Friday, November 25th, 2005, when a fire destroyed our original store, 20 years have passed. For us, those years add up to more than 5,000 days of showing up, at least 7,000 cups of coffee, and more engagement rings than we could ever hope to count.
But numbers don’t tell the real story. What matters are the moments we’ve shared with this community: the birthdays and graduations, anniversaries and new beginnings, and the thousands of times we’ve raised a glass of champagne to a couple starting their forever. Our store has seen laughter spill out at more parties than I can recall, love stories whispered across showcases, and even a bridal counter or two shuffled around to make room for the next chapter. Our carpet has worn thin six times,

and each time we’ve rolled out the new, we were reminded that Zachary’s, at its heart, is lived in.
These years have also brought loss. We’ve said goodbye to dear friends, clients, and loved ones, including my own parents. Their absence is felt, but so too is their presence in the way we carry forward. And life, as it always does, brings renewal. This year, Challie and I welcomed our beautiful great niece to the world, and with her, a new generation to remind us that love continues to multiply.
So how do you measure a life? If these past twenty years have taught me anything, it’s that the measure isn’t in the years or even the milestones; it’s in the people we love, the lives we touch, and the everyday moments that make us feel truly alive.




