Our Story
Father & Son Bench Jewelers Since 1974
Two generations of craftsmanship. One family's dedication to creating jewelry that matters.
Built at the Bench, Not Behind a Counter
RAYBAR Fine Jewelry is a custom jewelry shop in Virginia Beach specializing in made-to-order engagement rings, wedding bands, and expert repairs. The jewelers who design your piece are the same ones who build it. No handoffs, no outsourcing.
We started behind the scenes. For over 40 years, we manufactured and repaired jewelry for retail stores across Hampton Roads. In 2012, we opened our own storefront and began offering our services directly to the public. No salespeople, no revolving door of staff. Just two jewelers, a workshop, and your idea.
Jerry Raynor
Co-Owner | Master Bench Jeweler
Jerry picked up a newspaper ad for a jewelry store polisher in Norfolk in the summer of 1974. He never left the trade. What started as a part-time gig turned into a five-year apprenticeship under famed Argentinian jeweler Roberto Restucha, where Jerry learned the craft from the ground up: fabrication, stone setting, design, and finishing.
Over 50 years later, Jerry is one of the most experienced bench jewelers in the region. He spent three decades as an independent contractor building a reputation for precision and reliability before co-founding RAYBAR to bring that same standard of work directly to clients.
Drew Raynor
Co-Owner | Graduate Bench Jeweler
Drew entered the trade in 2003, apprenticing under Jerry before earning his Graduate Bench Jeweler diploma from the New Approach School of Jewelry in 2006 under Blaine Lewis and Jason Marchiafava. He works both sides of the business: bench work alongside Jerry, plus all design, CAD, and client management. Over 20 years in, the learning hasn't stopped, it just moved from the classroom to the bench.
Credentials:
- 2006: Graduate Bench Jeweler diploma, NASJ
- 2011: Advanced Stone Setting certificate, NASJ
- 2012: Accredited Jewelry Professional diploma, GIA
- 2013: Diamonds & Diamond Grading certificate, GIA
- 2013: Combination (Hand Engraving/Stone Setting) Course certificate, GRSTC
- 2014: Advanced Micro-Pave certificate, GRSTC
Why RAYBAR
What Makes Us Different
Real Bench Jewelers
We don't send your jewelry out. Jerry and Drew design and craft every piece themselves, right here in our Virginia Beach workshop.
On-Site Workshop
Your jewelry never leaves our shop. Every repair and every custom build is done on our bench, by our hands.
Direct Communication
You work directly with the people making your piece. No salespeople, no middlemen. Just honest advice from two jewelers who take the work personally.
50+ Years at the Bench
Since 1974, Hampton Roads families have trusted us with their most important jewelry. We treat every piece like it matters, because it does.
Your Jewelry Never Leaves Our Shop
Unlike chain jewelers who ship repairs to distant workshops, every repair at RAYBAR is completed on-site by Jerry and Drew. Your piece never leaves our bench.