A diamond usually lasts for generations, but a family business that does so is rare.
Erik Runyan is the fourth-generation owner of Runyan’s Jewelers, which has been in Vancouver for more than 90 years and is known for custom designs and hand-picked signature diamonds.
W.L. Runyan started the business in 1917 with a watch repair bench at a bus depot. His son Gerald Runyan followed suit, bringing his business savvy. Then came Steve Runyan, a goldsmith who ventured further into jewelry making and Erik Runyan took over in 1998.
“It’s exciting to be part of something that’s been here so long, to leave my footprint on it and to hopefully better it,” he said.
With the family blessing, he changed the company’s name to Erik Runyan Jewelers, distinguishing it from separate shops run by relatives. Then, in 1992, he set out to learn diamond selection and appraisal. Until then, the store appraised diamonds but didn’t have diamonds in stock.
“I saw us missing opportunities on diamond sales,” Runyan said.
Now his signature diamonds are the store’s biggest seller. Runyan hand-picks each one for quality and the store has sold 900 of them since 2003, making up about half of its sales. Runyan declined to provide sales figures.
Runyan launched the Together Green campaign in June. For every sale of a signature diamond embedded with a green jewel, he purchases a tree to plant. In October, at least 50 of the trees will be planted by the Clark County Public Utility District’s Stream Team.
“It weaves back into the symbolism for bridal jewelry, planting something that’s going to live and grow with the relationship,” Runyan said.
Along with wedding-related jewelry, gift sales happen year-round for occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays, graduations and Mother’s Day.
During these slowing economic times, Runyan said foot traffic has dropped but sales volume is holding. Sales range from $150 for a watch to $500 to $5,000 for jewelry.
The jewelry is conflict-free, Runyan said, meaning its materials were acquired without violence, human rights abuses or environmental destruction.
He initially ran the shop out of Vancouver Mall, but moved downtown to his current 3,100-square foot location in the early 1990s. He works there with nine full-time employees.
As independent jewelers struggle with competitors online and in big-box stores, Runyan expects his family’s business to endure because of its niche in signature jewels and custom designs.
“I’ve got three daughters, so I’m hoping for succession,” he said. “This is my passion and is what I’ll continue to do. It’s a very personal thing.”
Erik Runyan Jewelers
Erik Runyan, owner
900 Washington St., Suite 150, Vancouver
www.runyansjewelers.com 360-699-1917
Charity Thompson can be reached at cthompson@vbjusa.com.
