Around since 1879, E.R. Sawyer Jewelers of Santa Rosa is a perennial “Best of” winner, this year marking its fifth victory in a row. Part of the appeal is the store’s breadth of service—from supplying jewels to Nancy Lasseter for the Oscars (and to NorthBay biz Editor Julie Fadda and Director of Sales Halley Eppinger for the Best Of bash) to helping locals repair long-treasured heirlooms.
President Doug Van Dyke is the third to run E.R. Sawyer, opened originally by Elbert R. Sawyer and bought by the Van Dyke family in 1949. Doug worked alongside his father, Robert, from 1987 until the latter’s retirement in 2002.
“We don’t look at a sale as a sale,” says Van Dyke. “We build relationships for a generation or more.”
Over the years, E.R. Sawyer has become an authorized dealer of such beautiful brands as Baume & Mercier, Omega, Wittnauer and Bulova watches, and bridal designs from Eddie Sakamoto, Judith Conway, Varna, MaeVona and Trent West. Van Dyke points out that, through good times and bad, “We’re still in the love and romance business.”
A full-service jewelry and watch repair center, E.R. Sawyer can also design original pieces, restore and replicate vintage jewels and do engraving and appraisals. In 1998, it became the first jeweler in the area to have a laser welder, essential for heat sensitive, delicate and intricate repairs of fine jewelry. A member of the American Gem Society since 1949, Van Dyke says, “We take repairs to the next level. Our standards are higher, and we’re always asking ourselves what we can do to make today better than yesterday.”
To that end, wife Ame Van Dyke has recently taken a more active role in the company, serving now as director of community relations with a focus on giving time, money and fund-raising help through donations to local children’s charities and schools, cancer research and Active 20/30 Clubs.
The Van Dykes say they’re able to adapt to good times or bad because they’re family-owned and run, and the people they employ work and live in the community. In short, the E.R. Sawyer roots run deep.
“We’re excited to be selected by NorthBay biz readers as ‘Best Of’ for the fifth year,” Van Dyke says. “And we’re proud to be celebrating our 130th year in beautiful Sonoma County.”
