IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated StoreIndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 Years
Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
Owners Bill and Birdie Levine of Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, have decided to close their 111-year-old business.
Editor's Note: This story has been edited post-publication to clarify the company's history.
Vestal, N.Y.—Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is closing its doors after 111 years.
Owners Bill and Birdie Levine have decided to close their business after “recent life-changing events” led the couple to re-evaluate their priorities and shift their focus to personal matters, said the jeweler in a press release.
Van Cott Jewelers was founded in 1914 in Binghamton, New York, and later was acquired by the Levine family.
The Levine family's jewelry history begins with Rubine “Ruby” Levine, who had immigrated to New York City in 1905. He had worked in a jewelry factory until World War I broke out.
When he returned home, having been honorably discharged from the Army, he went upstate to Binghamton, New York, and established the Ruby Jewelry Co.
“His success resulted from his integrity and humanity as he diligently went door to door selling anything from wedding rings and religious items to eyeglasses,” said the jeweler’s website.
He was fluent in eight languages and his jewelry business catered to fellow immigrants who worked at The Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company.
His son, Herbert, joined the business in 1950.
In 1969, Herbert bought an established jeweler, Van Cott Jewelers of Binghamton, from Kenneth Van Cott, a gemologist and would-be president of the American Gemological Society.
Herbert would also become president of the American Gem Society and serve with Jewelers of America and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
In 1979, third-generation jewelers Bill and Birdie entered the family business, where they have worked for the last 46 years.
The jeweler moved to Vestal, New York, in 1993, setting up shop in the Town Square Mall.
“My grandfather Ruby always taught us that it was better to make friends than customers,” said Bill. “My dad, Herbert, believed that everyone should leave our store with a smile.”
“Birdie and I want to thank all our smiling friends, literally thousands and thousands over the past 46 years, who have made our dreams come true.”
Related stories will be right here …
Vestal, N.Y.—Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is closing its doors after 111 years.
Owners Bill and Birdie Levine have decided to close their business after “recent life-changing events” led the couple to re-evaluate their priorities and shift their focus to personal matters, said the jeweler in a press release.
Van Cott Jewelers was founded in 1914 in Binghamton, New York, and later was acquired by the Levine family.
The Levine family's jewelry history begins with Rubine “Ruby” Levine, who had immigrated to New York City in 1905. He had worked in a jewelry factory until World War I broke out.
When he returned home, having been honorably discharged from the Army, he went upstate to Binghamton, New York, and established the Ruby Jewelry Co.
“His success resulted from his integrity and humanity as he diligently went door to door selling anything from wedding rings and religious items to eyeglasses,” said the jeweler’s website.
He was fluent in eight languages and his jewelry business catered to fellow immigrants who worked at The Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company.
His son, Herbert, joined the business in 1950.
In 1969, Herbert bought an established jeweler, Van Cott Jewelers of Binghamton, from Kenneth Van Cott, a gemologist and would-be president of the American Gemological Society.
Herbert would also become president of the American Gem Society and serve with Jewelers of America and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
In 1979, third-generation jewelers Bill and Birdie entered the family business, where they have worked for the last 46 years.
The jeweler moved to Vestal, New York, in 1993, setting up shop in the Town Square Mall.
“My grandfather Ruby always taught us that it was better to make friends than customers,” said Bill. “My dad, Herbert, believed that everyone should leave our store with a smile.”
“Birdie and I want to thank all our smiling friends, literally thousands and thousands over the past 46 years, who have made our dreams come true.”
Bill and Birdie grew the store to three locations with a total of more than 50 employees. It currently operates one location at the Town Square Mall in Vestal, New York.
“The driving force of Van Cott Jewelers is Birdie. Her passion for helping people, her expertise in buying rare gemstones and diamonds, then creating unique designs has made her one of the leading jewelry professionals in the Northeast,” said the jeweler.
The store is currently hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
Serving the families in the community has been the greatest honor of their lives, said the jeweler.
“Thank you for your loyalty, your friendship, and for allowing us to grow alongside you through the years,” said the jeweler.
More on Independents
The Latest
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
Weekly QuizJun 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
