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
SourcingJul 30, 2026
De Beers Sale in ‘Final, Most Challenging’ Phase, Anglo CEO SaysThe goal is for the De Beers sale to be finished by the second half of 2026, with the subsequent approvals process expected to take a year.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
SurveysJul 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Slips in JulySurvey respondents were concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries as well as unemployment.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Vicenzaoro Releases 2026 Education LineupThe trade show, slated for Sept. 4-8 in Vicenza, Italy, will feature sessions on trends, AI, gemology, and manufacturing.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Hillsborough Show Moves to New Location for 2026The public shopping event featuring art, jewelry, watches, and rare collectibles, will take place in Santa Clara, California, this fall.
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
MajorsJul 29, 2026
Kevin Reilly Retires After 39 Years in the Jewelry Industry Reilly has been with PGI USA for the last 20 years, leading partnership development and professional education.
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for ArkansasShe was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
