On a recent trip to Paris, I fell in love with an antique ring. I spotted it hiding under a cameo necklace in a display case at Les Puces De Saint-Ouen (the famed flea market). It was an emerald and diamond Victorian-style halo ring, which doesn’t sound that exciting, but it was. The center emerald was rectangular cut with no facets and surrounded by small round emeralds and diamonds, a unique and organic look you rarely see today. Being in a crowded flea market on the fringes of Paris, I delighted in the assumption that I might actually have the budget to afford the ring. So, I asked to try it on. It didn’t fit but was so pretty, and I bought it anyway! I told myself I’d figure out the sizing later. I rarely buy jewelry for myself so I thought if I could find the right price, I would give it to myself as birthday/Mother’s Day gift. To my surprise it wasn’t the doorbuster deal I was expecting. And that was a trend that I continued to notice throughout the day. The prices of most items were only about 10% cheaper than you’d find in the U.S. When I mentioned this observation to a decorator friend who travels the world looking for antique furniture she said, “There really are few places left in Paris to score big deals. It is the vast, superior selection of antiques that keeps professionals coming back.”
Maybe we missed out on a better deal because we were American, and vendors assumed we had no idea what things cost or how to negotiate? Maybe it’s just the state of the world right now. But, regardless of the unimpressive deal I got, I am still thrilled with my purchase. There’s something about a piece of jewelry with patina bought on a special trip with my mother that just lights me up whenever I see it.
We have the privilege in New Orleans of having gorgeous antique jewelry stores in abundance. Here are a few of the rings I’d buy at the local shops if I had the budget for another one! Maybe next year.
Clockwise from Left:
Rubellite Tourmaline Ring, MS Rau
Diamond and Onyx Ring, Friend & Co
Blue Sapphire Ring, HGM Fine Jewelry
Sapphire & Diamond Ring, Friend & Co
Emerald & Diamond Ring, HGM Fine Jewelry
Tourmaline Ring, Lee Michaels
Clockwise from Left:
Gold & Turquoise Ring, Keil’s Antiques
Twist Ring, HGM
Gold & Diamond Love Knot Ring, Keil’s Antiques
Ruby and Diamond Snake Ring, Keil’s Antiques
Diamond and Ruby Ring, Wellington & Co
