Rita Van Alstyne

R.H. Van Alstyne Fine Jewelry

You opened R.H. Van Alstyne Fine Jewelry in 1990. What inspired you to open your own business?

There was a paucity of female-owned jewelry stores in my area. It’s mostly women who wear jewelry, and I felt that having a feminine perspective was needed.

You design some of your jewelry. Where did you learn that skill?

I trained as a bench jeweler. It’s an essential skill in understanding the infrastructure and therefore quality of jewelry and design. And I studied as a graduate gemologist at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

What is your current favorite piece in your store?

I love pearls. And I have a favorite pair of pearl earrings. We call them “baggies” because they look like little handbags. It’s an unusual setting for pearls.

Who are some of your favorite designers, and why?

EL Designs, formerly Ed Levin. They are a small company located in Cambridge, New York, which is a small village comparable to Chatham. I believe they are the single largest employer in Cambridge, and they are a dream to work with from a retailer’s point of view.

What is the importance of quality when it comes to jewelry?

Quality is super important to me. We stand behind everything we sell, and the last thing I want is to get something back because it was poorly made.

What advice do you give a person looking to buy jewelry as a gift?

I don’t see it so much as advice. I see it more like engaging with my customer to solve a puzzle. I usually start by asking a lot of questions, like, what are her color preferences? Does she like white metal or yellow? What does she do for work? How does she wear her hair?

What trends are popular in jewelry right now?

Small, delicate pendants are popular, as are multiple tiny earrings. And anything vintage always sells well.

Any predictions for future trends?

Like most things, jewelry trends seem to cycle in and out.

What’s special about Chatham, New York?

Chatham is awesome. It’s also “real.” It’s a traditional old-fashioned railroad town with lots of history.

September 2026