Neil Lane Reveals What Gerry Turner And Theresa Nist Were Really Like After Proposal

Bachelor Nation’s most recognizable jeweler is speaking out and reflecting on a very different chapter in Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist’s love story, long before their divorce and recent mud-slinging began dominating headlines. Neil Lane, the franchise’s longtime engagement ring designer and the man behind nearly every televised Bachelor proposal, revealed the emotional aftermath of Gerry’s "Golden Bachelor" engagement in a new interview. His memories stand in stark contrast to the bitter accusations unfolding today.

Lane’s latest ring placement went to a new "Golden Bachelor," Mel Owens, whose finale ended with a commitment ring presented to Peg Munson. But the jeweler says he still remembers the moment Gerry Turner proposed to Theresa Nist in Costa Rica, a moment he describes as overflowing with genuine joy.

“I see him now and then,” Lane told The Daily Mail. “When I met them, Theresa and them, they were happy. I did the ring with him in Costa Rica, he [has] never been happier. I filmed the wedding bands afterwards at my house with them; they were never happier.”

For Lane, whose entire career revolves around witnessing life-changing romantic milestones, Gerry and Theresa’s connection stood out. “I’m always meeting people when they’re at the happiest and they’re hopeful and they’ve found love, and their lives have changed, and they’re excited,” he shared.

Despite their brief four-month marriage and the explosive revelations surfacing in the lead-up to Turner’s memoir, "Golden Years: What I’ve Learned from Love, Loss, and Reality TV," Lane still believes the pair brought something special to Bachelor Nation.

“I wish they would have stayed together,” he said. “It’s not easy finding love at certain ages. And I think they were a remarkable couple… and they gave so much hope and inspiration for a whole new audience for 'The Bachelor.' It opened up the fact that you can be 60 or whatever, and be dating and be in love and be excited.”

When asked whether Theresa returned the engagement ring following the divorce, Lane made it clear the jewel is no longer in his universe.

“Once I do the ring… and time goes by, I don’t see that ring again. I don’t even know what happens to the ring. You know, my part in that is over,” he explained. “They got married, that ring is not in my orbit anymore.”

What began as a heartwarming second-chance romance has officially reached its final chapter. The "Golden Bachelor" stars Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist have reached a settlement agreement in their divorce, according to Indiana court records reviewed by E! News. The agreement comes just two months after the couple shocked Bachelor Nation by announcing their breakup, only four months after their televised wedding.

As The Blast reported, during a joint "Good Morning America" appearance, Gerry and Theresa explained that the decision came after a series of emotional, honest conversations about their future. “Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations,” Gerry shared at the time. “We’ve looked closely at our situation, our living situation, so forth, and we’ve come to the conclusion mutually that it’s probably time for us to dissolve our marriage.”

Theresa emphasized that while their marriage didn’t last, they never want their split to discourage anyone, especially those finding love later in life. “We have received so much love and support from so many people who watched 'The Golden Bachelor,'” she said. “So many people told us that it gave them so much hope. We want none of that to change for anybody.”

Gerry has already moved on, getting engaged to his new girlfriend just 15 months after finalizing his divorce from Theresa, only adding to the drama of the split.

Ultimately, even with the drama unfolding now, the man behind the ring says the magic he witnessed between Gerry and Theresa was real, and that spark continues to inspire a new generation of hopeful romantics.