Guide How to Vintage Jewelry Shopping?

By : Lynn Yaeger

For me, a travel isn’t whole unless there's afterward something minor and preferably sparkly in my possession. Of course, buying a unexampled piece of jewelry is normally a wonderful experience, nevertheless as you go vintage, you happen to be also purchasing a bit of that destination’s history, color, and character—and isn’t that what the best souvenirs are all about? Since I’ve embarked on this path, I have acquired a 19th-century bracelet from Paris decorated with the word SOUVENIR in gold script; a myriad of Victorian London lockets monogrammed for their long-departed owners; and a Grand Tour bracelet through Rome enhanced by minuscule micro-mosaics depicting views by the Eternal City. Another advantage: it’s often likely to bargain even in the toniest vintage shops.

Vintage Jewelry Address Book

Amsterdam
A number of antique jewelry stores line Spiegelgracht. You must window-shop at them all, and then finish in at Dekker Antiquairs (9 Spiegelgracht; 31-20/623-8992). It’s a well-liked of model Lara Stone’s; she lately bought 4 pieces—including a Victorian diamond bracelet—in about as many minutes.

Istanbul
The Grand Bazaar’s winding passages have proved to be a challenge pertaining to centuries—be careful, or your path could be littered with exciting but worthless reproductions. To avoid this peril, head pertaining to Mavi Köşe (No. 11, Bedesten section; 90-212/519-0686), where Grace Kelly could shop regarding such items as rose-diamond drop earrings and vintage timepieces.

London
No travel to London is entire without a visit to Grays Antiques (58 Davies St. and 1-7 Davies Mews; 44-20/7629-7034), with 2 quantities worth of dealers in the West conclude. Be certain to venture downstairs, where Jo Elton and Olly Gerrish sell glass serpents and Japanese agate bracelets.

New York
Amid the rough-and-tumble Diamond District, Steven Herdemian (78 W. 47th St.; 212/944-2534) is a haven of peaceful. His booth is laden with antique diamond rings; Herdemian can additionally suggest surprisingly afpertaining todable Art Nouveau brooches (from $350).

Paris
Dary’s (362 Rue St.-Honoré, First Arr.; 33-1/42-60-95-23) is divided in two sections that have been enticing flaneurs since 1932. a single offers silver bracelets and paste brooches; the other, more rarefied—though not entirely out-of-reach—treaguaranteeds, including a pair of mine-cut diamond pins pertaining to less in comparison with $700.

Stockholm
Indulge a taste for Midcentury works at Jacksons, where signed Scandinavian pieces like a circa-1974 silver Björn Weckström pendant are displayed next to Aalto furnishings.

San Francisco
In contrast to San Fran’s bohemian side, the bauble-bedecked windows at Lang Antiques will transport one to a more elegant era. Though a 1929 Cartier diamond necklace might exceed the day-to-day shopper’s spending budget, there are in addition turn-of-the-century silver stickpins and other less expensive treats.

Tangier, Morocco
Deep within the medina, Boutique Majid stocks historic indigenous furnishings and objets d’art (armoires; birdcages) alongside oversize antique Berber jewelry. A extreme silver hamsa hand dangles from a pendant, while amber and coral beads cry out to be worn layered.

Venice
Long beregardinge zombies and vampires cluttered the cultural landscape, Codognato (1295 San Marco; 39-041/522-5042) was specializing in magnificent jewelry with a vaguely sinister air. Rochas designer Marco Zanini activities one of its hard stone skull rings—it’s the envy through the fashion world.