Ralston Fine Jewelry – Gail Ralston Carries Forward Six Decades of Jewelry Legacy At 272 Merchant Street, the same downtown storefront that’s served Sainte Geneviève’s jewelry needs since 1958, Gail M. Ralston maintains a tradition of personalized service, expert craftsmanship, and connection to life’s milestone moments that spans three ownership periods and six decades of community trust. The building’s history tells the story: Harry “Quinton” Klaus ran the business from 1958 until Tom and Sue Steiger bought it in 1975 (Tom had started by buying “two little dogs” from Klaus for a girl he knew in school, then wound up caring for Klaus’ horses and eventually working for him after learning watch repair and jewelry work in Quincy, Illinois). The Steigers operated for 40 years—from Gerald Ford’s presidency and Bob Gibson’s final Cardinals season through the digital age—building reputation as full-service jewelers offering batteries, watches, engraving, diamonds in every size and shape, custom ring and pendant design, and diamond upgrades. When the Steigers sold in 2021, Gail Ralston assumed ownership, rebranding as Ralston Fine Jewelry while preserving the essential character that locals have relied on for generations: thoughtful jewelry selection ranging from fine pieces to costume jewelry, well-known collectible lines
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