were stocked with everything from silverware and electric shavers to writing instruments and crystalware. “The first thing dad did was refocus the merchandise,” says David. “He narrowed the inventory down to fine jewelry and timepieces, and he would only stock the best. He started carrying Rolex in 1968,whichmakes us the oldest independent Rolex jeweler in California.”Fredric also established early partnerships with brands like Lazare Kaplan, David Yurman and others. “They represented the peak of the high end,” says David. “We had a very curated boutique, long before it was called that.” In 1971, Fredric opened a third store, at the mall in San Bernardino, and changed the name to Fredric H. Rubel Jewelers. By then, he had completed his Graduate Gemologist degree at the Gemological Institute of America, and had become a member of theAmerican Gem Society. Only a select number of jewelers from across the country are members of this prestigious industry organization, which was built on integrity, education and consumer protection. Fredric is retired now. He and Joan have been playing a lot of bridge, and have traveled extensively over the past 20 years.They have also been very supportive of all six grandchildren, attending sporting events, school events and high school and college graduations. “He still keeps tabs on what’s new with our clients, most of which were his longtime customers, and he loves to see the new pieces from our favorite designers,” says David. “Unfortunately, he now has Alzheimer’s disease, and his symptoms have really accelerated over the past few months,” says David. “We were all able to get together for Father’s Day in June and his birthday in May, but I’m not sure we will have another opportunity to celebrate with him now.” As sad as this news is, David takes heart in the knowledge that, throughout his life, his father has been an inspiration to him and to so many others. “We learned a lot from him, but above all, my dad and mom taught us all how to be kind,” says David. “How to listen, how to live by the Golden Rule. What they taught us about life, we applied to running our jewelry business.”
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We learned a lot from him, but above all, my dad and mom taught us all how to be kind. — DAVID RUBEL
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F R E D R I C H . R U B E L M A G A Z I N E [ 13
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