Kravit Jewelers opens new location in former bank in Oceanside

Since 1976, Kravit Jewelers has beckoned generations of devoted clients from Oceanside and beyond to its traditional, almost clubby emporium in a strip shopping center. 

In late June, the company, which is known for its vast assortment of precious gemstones, gold pieces, watches and masterful custom work, made a big, brave move taking over and renovating an entire, free-standing Capital One bank. Though the building is merely a stone’s throw away from the original location, “It doesn’t look like a typical Oceanside retail store,” says Idayne Kaye, 54, who co-owns the business with her brother, Bennett Kaye, 63.

New look, same values 

“It looks like it belongs on Rodeo Drive. I want everyone who comes into the store to capture that same feeling they do when they put on a fabulous piece of jewelry,” she says. At 3,500 square feet, three times the size of the old Kravit, Bennett calls it, “An absolute jewel box. It’s warm, inviting, bright, elegant and a dream store that is much more elevated than the other store.”

The new space features high-end materials such as marble, terrazzo and onyx along with light fixtures that resemble diamond eternity bands. There is also an entire boutique devoted to coveted Rolex watches.

Included in the sparkly mix: Gucci fine jewelry and watches; Kravit’s own KJ1927 private label made-in-Italy gold baubles and Idayne’s eponymous collection featuring bold, creative designs that have been worn by the likes of Joan Jett, Criss Angel and Miley Cyrus.

There’s the swanky "diamond salon," (they recently sold an 18-carat rock) where glass doors automatically part to welcome customers and with the flip of a switch magically become frosted to ensure privacy.

Experience has taught the Kayes that some folks searching for that perfect stone, “want to feel safe and relaxed with no eyes on them,” says Idayne, though others, she says, have popped the question right on the premises.

Need Champagne for the occasion? There’s a full bar on the showroom floor along with espresso and cappuccino service and even a snack menu. Appropriately, the only remnant of the bank is the walk-in vault and 40 safety deposit boxes.

Family legacy 

The almost century-old family business is a storied one. In 1927 Samuel Kaye, a gaucho (yes, a real cowboy) from Buenos Aires, Argentina, immigrated to the United States and opened the first Kravit on Canal Street with his cousin, Benjamin Kravit. Kaye was, according to lore, a street boxer and a mosaics laborer responsible in part for the tile work on the 14th Street subway. Upon learning that gold parts, known as ‘findings’ — clasps, earring posts, connectors — had value, he switched gears and got into the gold business. 

In 1945, Kaye's son, William “Willie” Kaye, (Idayne and Bennett’s father), moved the store to Far Rockaway. Then in 1976, Idayne, recalls, “My father said it’s time to leave Far Rockaway and he took me to this barren lot in Oceanside. He had a pocketful of change and had me run up down within the boundaries of where his store would be, tossing the coins for good luck. I was like ‘wheeeee’ this is fun.” Apparently, it was a very good omen as the store has continued to prosper here despite economic downturns, hurricanes and the pandemic, for close to 50 years.

So why move? “We felt we mentally and physically outgrew the space and wanted to bring a different vibe to the store. Shopping online is easy and we didn’t want to compete with that. We wanted to put ourselves in our own lane,” explains Idayne.

Mixing tradition with innovation

To that end, the siblings, who independently call each other best friends, seek to create experiential visits to the new store. With an entire outdoor space, Bennett says, “We’re going to host all sorts of events from a cars and cigars night in collaboration with Porsche, barbecues, live music, wine tastings, and guest chefs." Idayne’s considering private engagement soirees, VIP yoga classes with a celebrity fitness expert along with bridal fashion shows sponsored by Bellmore’s Runway Couture.   

While neither of the duo planned to go into the business, jewelry was their “first language” says Idayne. 

“It was the only thing my family would talk about around the table. ‘Diamonds, rubies, jewelry,’ those were probably my first words.” She spent many a day as a youngster with her dad at the store.

“To keep me occupied he would pay me a nickel for every diamond I found on the floor,” she says noting that jewelers are famously dropping the smaller stones while working. 

Pre-partnering with her brother, she launched a career in set and interior design, while her brother was an established chemist. At one point their dad asked, “Could you help me out at the store?,” recalls Bennett. 

“We’re still helping.” Both Kayes expected to go back onto their own paths after their father became ill, but unfortunately, in 1993, he passed away. “We went to go help. We never left and we ended up loving this very special industry,” says Idayne. Likewise, says Bennett, “It was the right thing to do at that stage of our lives, to maintain and keep this legacy going.”

As for their father, who was beloved by family and a loyal staff alike, everybody thinks he’s smiling down on his kids. 

“He was always very proud of them and he’s very proud now, he’s watching,” says Constantin Savos, 71, who recently retired after working at the store for 22 years.

Lynn LaMarca, 81, who started there when she was 34 years old and retired just three years ago agrees. “I’m finding it amazing to see this store go from a mom-and-pop type of place to this. Willie would be really proud.”

Kravit Jewelers, 3151 Long Beach Rd., Oceanside,, 516-766-3855, kravitjewelers.com. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday.