“One quality that’s always set us apart is our community involvement.”—Doug Van Dyke, owner
Beautiful jewelry and an attentive staff make E.R. Sawyer Jewelers a winner. But what makes the store stand out even more is its dedication to the community. “One quality that’s always set us apart is our community involvement,” says Doug Van Dyke, a fourth-generation owner, who has been at the helm of the store with his wife, Ame, since 2002. It’s a commitment that goes back a long way. When the Great Santa Rosa Earthquake struck in 1906, it left downtown in ruins. Disasters, however, have a way of bringing out the best in people, and jeweler Elbert 
Ransom Sawyer, was part of the group of community leaders that founded the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce and reached out to assist his fellow business owners. He was instrumental in the efforts to rebuild downtown, and in doing so, he established an ethic that has spanned more than a century.
With a principle of service ingrained at E.R. Sawyer Jewelers, helping clients in the aftermath of the wildfires of October 2017 came naturally. Many people had lost cherished pieces of jewelry in the fires, and the Van Dykes and their staff went into action—sifting through the ashes to help their clients’ salvage efforts, using their expertise to restore or repurpose the items they found and meeting with clients to create records and work with insurance companies. “I think that speaks to who we are as a company,” says Doug.
E.R. Sawyer Jewelers is also an ongoing supporter of local causes that focus on families, schools, women and children. For example, the store has contributed a ring to the YWCA Sonoma County’s annual event, Women Wine Chefs and Cheese, for several years. The event provides services for Sonoma County families affected by domestic violence. The donation has raised substantial funds for the organization, but the Van Dykes thought giving the same piece of jewelry year after year would eventually become boring. It’s turned out to be quite the opposite. Instead, it’s something guests look forward to. “People get very excited and want to win that ring,” says Ame.
While new jewelry is a major part of the business, repairs, manufacturing, restoration and repurposing are also cornerstones. “It’s one of the beauties of jewelry. You can take all of the parts and remanufacture them into something else,” Doug says. Members of the staff give clients personal attention, doing what’s best for them, and it’s more than a job. “It’s really a passion for every single one of them,” he explains, and they go beyond sales to create an experience that makes customers feel special.
E.R. Sawyer Jewelers has been a presence in Santa Rosa for 139 years, and now it’s branched out with a second store in St. Helena, which opened in December 2017. It wasn’t something the Van Dyke’s had planned, but when the previous owner approached them about acquiring the business, It was just a good fit. “It was an opportunity that we couldn’t pass up,” says Doug. Community involvement in Napa Valley is a priority, and in March, E.R. Sawyer Jewelers was a gold sponsor at Blue Skies Ahead, a benefit to support Mentis, Napa’s Center for Mental Health Services.
Jewelry is meaningful in people’s lives because it’s so often symbolic of love and plays a role in creating memories. For E.R. Sawyer Jewelers, it’s also about personal relationships and helping others. And those values endure and are good for everyone.
www.ersawyer.com
