From costume to custom work, J. Alexander Fine Jewelers has it all
BY GINNY PRIVITAR
WEST MILFORD — John Pytleski and his sister Alexis Randolph just opened J. Alexander Fine Jewelers in West Milford in October. But the family has been in the jewelry business for 20 years.
Pytleski is the youngest in the family and used to manage corporate jewelry stores including Zales and Whitehall. His sister Randolph is the middle child; she started in the industry when she was just 18.
They have something for everyone and every budget, from kids’ costume jewelry, $10 dollars and up, to custom designed wedding bands and engagement rings, Pytleski said they will design a custom piece for clients.
“We put it on paper and then we put it on your hand,” he said.
They also repair your jewelry or watches on the premises.
Randolph started out in Newton. She’s been reuniting with old customers she first met when working for another jeweler. She and Pytleski also worked together for a watch manufacturer where they learned to fix and replace newer watch movements. Pytleski has specialized in this and goes to Manhattan every couple of weeks to apprentice with a watchmaker who works on all old mechanical and automatic watch movements.
Randolph can do a little bit of everything, according to her brother.
“She does it all. Alexis is an alumna of The Gemological Institute of America, the most prestigious jewelry school in the world,” Pytleski said. She is currently working on her graduate gemologist degree.
Pytleski’s oldest sister, Andrea Randolph, owns D’Andrea Jewelers in Wantage in Sussex County. She works with her brother and sister as a bench jeweler and does all repairs and actually makes the custom work. All three siblings design. Alexis specializes in wedding bands. Sometimes a couple will buy an engagement ring and then come in for wedding bands and want something designed to match.
“We always present a friendly atmosphere. We always treat our customer like family, whether they come in to buy a watch battery or an engagement ring,” Pytleski said.
Their goal is to be sure their customers are happy.
“We make sure you’re satisfied when you leave,” he said.
J. Alexander Fine Jewelers is located at 1935 Union Valley Road, across from the AandP plaza. Contact them at 973-728-1645 or email jalexanderjewelers.@yahoo.com.