Ryemarkable Kathy Zaltas

Name: Kathy Zaltas

Family info: Mom to Rebecca Zaltas, who grew up in Rye and is a special education teacher. Kathy bought her house in Rye in the 1970s and loved living there for 46 years.

Business info: Owner of Zaltas Fine Jewelers

You started your career as a teacher. What did you teach?

Yes, I taught Spanish in Rye and Rye Brook, and I loved it. I even created a Latin course for younger students to help train their ears for foreign language. Education has always been a big part of who I am, and in many ways, I still feel like I’m teaching, just in a different way now.

How did your journey into jewelry begin?

Honestly, completely by accident. My husband bought me a piece of art jewelry from a colleague’s cousin, and when I wore it to a school that I was teaching at, everyone kept asking where I got it. I ended up getting pieces for many of my colleagues. I called the designer, asking for more, because I kept selling everything out. He asked me if I would consider “repping” his line!! and said, I asked him, “What does ‘repping’ mean?” LOL!!  I had no idea what I was doing, but that’s how it started.

How did you learn the jewelry business?

 I’m completely self-taught. This was before Google, so I learned through reading, asking questions, and connecting with people in the industry. I have been blessed by having wonderful mentors as well. 

I’ve worked with some of the same craftsmen for over 30 years. And I’ll tell you, if someone keeps making mistakes, I stop working with them. Quality seriously matters.

How has your business evolved over time? 

In the beginning, we we lucky to have wonderful people working with us. And people really loved to shop!!  I carried designer lines, the same ones you’d find in places like Neiman Marcus or Saks. But over time, there were two big shifts.  People were searching and shopping online, do we had to shift. And then we specialized into custom work. That’s where the heart is. And creativity is exciting!  It is the meaning behind the jewelry that really matters.

What makes your work special? 

I focus on sentimental value. People come to me with pieces from their mothers, grandmothers, or mothers-in-law, and it’s not quite their style. My daughter Rebecca and I help redesign them into something they’ll actually wear. I always say, “don’t warehouse your jewelry. WEAR your jewelry!” If a piece has been sitting in a drawer for ages, either sell it,  or redesign it so you can enjoy it.

How would you describe your style? 

Everyday elegant. And I’m very honest with my client, and I won’t let someone make a mistake. If something doesn’t look right, I’ll tell you. That trust is everything.

Tell us about your Holocaust Sunflower project. 

About ten years ago, I took an 18-week course on how to tell my family’s Holocaust story. I’m a second-generation survivor, and that experience really stayed with me. I became a speaker and started sharing my parents’ story.

The Hope Sunflower Necklaces and Bracelets  came out of that. It has 18 petals. The center represents trauma, and the petals represent hope and light. Sunflowers always turn toward the light, and that’s what this is about: growth, even after darkness.

What does the sunflower symbolize to you? 

Hope. Everybody has their own story, things that have hurt them, things they’ve gone through. This is about listening to each other and moving forward without hate. It’s a feeling everyone can understand. 

What impact has that project had? 

It’s been incredible. I sell at least one Hope Sunflower piece a week across the country, and 20% of proceeds goes to the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center. It’s not just jewelry, it’s a message of hope and resilience and understanding. 

What advice would you give to someone starting something new? 

Go for it. Just do it. You don’t ever want to say, “I should have done that.” If you need money, take it out of savings or borrow from the bank. Just try! 

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? 

No one can ever take away what you’ve learned. And no one can take away how you react to something. That’s always yours.

How do you think about style and age? 

I don’t believe in “age-appropriate” jewelry. Don’t wear something that makes you feel old. Wear what makes you happy and comfortable. Wear what you LOVE!

What do you love outside of work? 

I love to read, especially historical fiction. I try to support local businesses, so I go to Arcade Booksellers in Rye. I also love getting together with my family and friends! It brings joy to my life!