Two stores, one family, and more than thirty years of love stories. How Kaya Jewelers began, what keeps us going, and where we are headed next.
Every jewelry store has a story. Ours starts in 1991 with two people, a small shop and a lot of sterling silver.
My father, Kerim, came to New England from Istanbul, Turkey. My mother, Belinda, grew up here in Massachusetts. Together they opened a little store selling arts and crafts and simple sterling silver jewelry. It was not glamorous, but it was theirs, and they put everything into it.
From silver to sapphires
Over the years, something shifted. Customers started asking for more, and my parents found themselves falling in love with gemstones. Silver gave way to gold. Simple pieces gave way to fine jewelry, engagement rings and stones from all over the world. My father spent those years at the bench, learning, refining and building the skills he has now practiced for more than three decades.
The business grew into two stores in the hearts of two of New England's most beautiful downtowns: Market Square in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and State Street in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Since then, we have made thousands of rings for thousands of people. Proposals, weddings, anniversaries and "just because" gifts, each one with a story of its own.
Growing up in the store
Some of my earliest memories are of the holidays, playing in the back room while my parents worked the busiest weeks of the year out front. Jewelry fascinated me even then. By high school, I was out on the floor selling it myself.
Then I went off to college, and eventually I came back. I wanted to help the business my parents built grow into something that could last another thirty years. Today I help run the business and design many of the pieces you will find in our cases. Seeing a design go from a sketch to a finished ring on someone's hand never gets old.
The next generation at the bench
The family story is not finished. My brother, Taner, is in jewelry school in Oregon right now, training to take over the bench from our father. I will carry on the operations and sales side. Between the two of us, we plan to keep doing exactly what our parents taught us, for a long time to come.
What we believe
- Every customer deserves respect and time. Whether you are choosing an engagement ring or asking a simple question, you get our full attention. There is never a rush.
- Fine jewelry should be made well. We pride ourselves on craftsmanship, and our own jeweler handles repairs and finishing in our Newburyport workshop.
- Beauty should last. We love fashion, we love trends and we love the timeless, but above all we want what you buy from us to hold up beautifully for years.
Gem collectors at heart
If there is one thing that has never changed since my parents fell for gemstones, it is the thrill of finding a special one. We buy gemstones from all over the world, and honestly, most of my personal favorites never make it to the sales floor. They wait in our safe for the right person and the right design. If you love something unusual, ask us what we have been saving. You might be surprised.
Come meet the family
After more than thirty years, the best part of this work is still the people who walk through our doors. We would love to meet you. Visit us at 4 Market Square in Portsmouth or 41 State Street in Newburyport, or send us a note.
Thank you for being part of our story.
Devin Kaya