Antique jewel shopping in Texas?

[AnnaH]

I have really enjoyed the photos of antique jewelry from shops in various cities. Anyone know of such a shop in Texas? Thanks.

 

[distracts]

Where in Texas? It's a big state.

In general, I'd look in ANY small non-chain jewelry store. I haven't found any store that has more than a small case of antiques, except one that I had a horrible experience at ( Kube's in Ft Worth, do not recommend). Sometimes antique stores have antique jewelry too - especially check them if they have signs about jewelry repair. Any store that is mostly consignment or estate jewelry will have a few antiques (in my experience, 95% 70s/80s styles though), and in Dallas there are a number of those near wealthier spots of the city. You can also check auction houses and estate liquidators.

 

[AnnaH]

I am in central tx and could go anywhere. Spend lot of time in dallas/ft worth and am near austin. Heard of kubes. Never been there.

 

[vinjewels]

I live in Texas...particularly the area you visited when you went to Kubes and have also had a horrible experience there. Sorry . There really aren't any good ones up in this area that come to mind that are large. I know there is a lady that has some beautiful pieces in San Antonio. She is on Ruby lane (Timeless Antiques). Super nice. I haven't been <yet>, but plan on it when my bling budget builds back up!

 

[distracts]

Kube's had nice stuff but every time I looked at an antique piece rather than a modern piece they insulted it, and they insulted my mom's antique wedding ring and told her it was good for nothing but to be trashed, and made her cry. So anyway that's why I don't like Kube's.

In Dallas, the places I go most often are Sergio's Jewelry in Casa Linda and Skibell at Preston Center. Both have very nice and helpful staff and a small selection of lovely antiques. Sergio's is much more reasonably priced, probably due to being located somewhere with much smaller overhead, and in my experience is more skillful at repairs. In University Park there are several estate jewelry sellers with nice collections, though it's always hit or miss what you find. When I want to look for antique jewelry I just google maps "jewelry store" and go wherever it takes me! There is an antiques store in old downtown Plano, right off the downtown parking lot, that occasionally has some nifty things. Sorry I can't recall the names of some of these right now!

Also when Intergem comes to town there are quite a few antique jewelry sellers there. The Dallas and Houston shows are the biggest in Texas. The Dallas ones are in October and April.

 

[distracts]

I live in Texas...particularly the area you visited when you went to Kubes and have also had a horrible experience there. Sorry . There really aren't any good ones up in this area that come to mind that are large. I know there is a lady that has some beautiful pieces in San Antonio. She is on Ruby lane (Timeless Antiques). Super nice. I haven't been <yet>, but plan on it when my bling budget builds back up!

I didn't realize Timeless Antiques was in San Antonio! I was just there! Missed opportunity!

 

[bunnycat]

There's a couple of places in the Austin area, maybe Valmanin will chime in here. But there are a couple of places off Bee Caves Road. One is called Abercrombie, then there's another one closer to the highway Michelle's Silver or something like that and there is one more that has a few vintage pieces but I can;t remember the name. Maybe 5 Star???? These are the main places I have seen old cut stones.

 

[valmanin]

There's a couple of places in the Austin area, maybe Valmanin will chime in here. But there are a couple of places off Bee Caves Road. One is called Abercrombie, then there's another one closer to the highway Michelle's Silver or something like that and there is one more that has a few vintage pieces but I can;t remember the name. Maybe 5 Star???? These are the main places I have seen old cut stones.

Yep...those are the 2 that I frequent...although it is important to know that Michelle's has a store in Vail that they send all there good jewelry to twice a year...I believe for the Summer tourist season and definitely for the Winter so they are very hit or miss. Last time I was there they had a 7 carat OEC.

Also, Bell & Bird has some really neat antiques but they specialize in Victorian and Georgian jewelry. The owners are lovely and VERY knowledgeable.

 

[AnnaH]

Thanks for the tips!

 

[gemmyblond]

Hi AnnaH -- There's a great woman in Houston who owns a shop named Past Era. They have lovely pieces, many Victorian or Georgian, some Edwardian and more recent also. She (Marion) is the nicest person, really knows her stuff, and runs the store with her son, who's also very gracious and very willing to talk/share/educate.
I met them at a show in another state and spent time ogling their merchandise and getting to know them a bit. She's been in the business for a long time and was incredibly knowledgeable. I only saw a fraction of their inventory but it was diverse and interesting without being overwhelming. I haven't been to the store, but thought I'd share the info nonetheless as they made a good impression. If I were headed to Houston, I'd definitely try to make time for a field trip! Have fun!

 

[AnnaH]

Thanks, gemmy!

 

[TheGeckoLady]

Past Era is amazing! She has really beautiful stuff. But if you’re used to online antique jewelry prices prepare yourself for possible sticker shock. Obviously, antique stones are harder to compare price wise than MRB’s since they’re all so unique but it seemed to me like their prices were generally higher than most online dealers like JBEG or OWD. Take a look at their website. They have a small sampling of their inventory on there.

 

[vinjewels]

Kube's had nice stuff but every time I looked at an antique piece rather than a modern piece they insulted it, and they insulted my mom's antique wedding ring and told her it was good for nothing but to be trashed, and made her cry. So anyway that's why I don't like Kube's.

Same exact reason I don't go back. They did the same to me.

I too go to Intergem. Going in October!
This is a good thread. I may have to make some visits to some of these places while the kids are in school

 

[bunnycat]

Intergem is also in AUstin this coming weekend.

 

[gemmyblond]

Hi TheGeckoLady -- I hear what you're saying about Past Era's pricing on their site. When I saw them in person, though, I found them to be not just very accomodating but also open to negotiation and willing to work with a new customer. And (like a lot of antique/estate dealers), the more they get to know you, the easier it is to work towards a better deal and have confidence (on both sides of the table).
Also, their main business is in selling jewelry and finished items. Unlike JbEG, they don't seem to sell lots of loose old stones, so I think it's a somewhat different business model perhaps. At least that's how it seemed to me; they had zero loose stones sitting around -- all their merchandise was finished antique & estate jewelry of all sorts.
In any case, I just thought they deserved a mention due to the reasons listed in my post above -- nice, knowledgeable, credible people and pretty terrific eye candy!

 

[UrsTx]

I was in Houston a few weeks ago and stopped by Past Era. It's a lovely little shop and I agree the SAs are very accommodating. I'm in Austin and plan to visit some antique jewelry stores at some point. I've drove by Gallerie Jewelers on 38th street today but couldn't tell if they were closed for the day or if they closed down. I need to google the Intergem event!

 

[TheGeckoLady]

Gemmy, you have a great point. The owner is very, very nice so I have no doubt she'd be willing to negotiate on prices. And yes, they have all finished jewelry and lots of neat non-jewelry items. It's a very fun place to look around. You can tell that she loves what she does and his happy to "talk jewelry" with you.