Going to Paris without buying jewelry is like having dinner without dessert. In this collector’s opinion, Paris is one of the best cities in the world to buy antique jewelry – whether you want to spend $5 on a coveted piece of beautiful costume jewelry or buy something to keep and treasure for years to come.
In short, the history of Parisian jewelry is vast and deep. There are few places in the world where one can see so many rarities and treasures within a 10-minute walk, dating back centuries, from Georgian hair rings to Bulgarian rings from the 1980s to extremely rare jewelry from the 1990s.
One of the joys of buying vintage (especially antique) jewelry is the excitement of purchasing it. Here, learn about some of the best places to buy vintage and antique jewelry in Paris.
she likes chambord
Located on the picturesque Jakobstrasse, Tiani Chambord’s shop is small but filled with quirky, minimalist costume jewellery and rarities from France and the United States: high-shine rhinestone brooches, poppy red and dark green bakelite, Yves Saint Laurent vintage embellished compacts and many unsigned jewellery treasures. The store first opened in 1973 and features quirky American designs from the 1920s to the 1960s. The fruit-shaped earrings, chunky bracelets and colourful big-button earrings are worth a look.
Dairy
Rue Saint-Honoré is a haven for lovers of vintage and antique jewellery, and anyone walking down this street can spot some of the rarest treasures in the world. The Dairy is one of the places to find jewellery such as large opal Art Deco rings, 1980s Boucheron diamond earrings, Victorian onyx carved cameos and 18th-century portrait miniatures. Open since 1932, looking through the windows is like stepping back into the history of jewellery.
Delft Vase
Au Vas de Delft is a stone’s throw from Delhi and its beautiful blue interior resembles the inside of a jewelry box. The store also offers Art Deco long necklaces, Victorian serpentine jewelry and carefully selected gemstones from some of the most prestigious names in French and Italian jewelry.
Saint-Ouan Flea Market
If you want to buy all kinds of high-end and low-end vintage jewelry, be sure to visit the Marché aux Puces Saint-Ouen: after all, it is the city’s largest outdoor flea market. Countless boxes, trays and tables filled with antique jewelry from different eras can be found in almost every corner of the market. Head to Paul Bert Serpette for ultra-high-end pieces, including rare Yves Saint Laurent chunky earrings from the 1970s or a Chanel Gripoix glass flower necklace from the 1990s.
Miracle of Babel
This is one of the independent shops within the Marché aux Puces Saint-Ouen that has an incredible collection of vintage French designer costume jewellery, including John Galliano era Dior Couture show earrings and rings. Notably, they also have an incredible collection of medieval Gripoix pieces.
Osprey
Another jewellery box-sized shop on Rue Saint-Honoré is Osprey, which sells a wide range of vintage gems from French heritage brands, as well as antique unsigned gold and diamond brooches, Art Deco pendants and vintage 1940s watches. They also offer repair and restoration services, especially for vintage and antique jewellery, and even make special jewellery if you need them.
Tea Expo
The Chateau Fair is held twice a year in the suburbs of Paris, usually in late March and September. The famous outdoor flea market attracts large numbers of locals, including more than 300 dealers from across France. The event is based around art and food (with ham and wine at the center), but it also features a huge selection of fashion jewelry, from antique mourning rings to pocket watches and 1980s costume jewelry. Every season, top stores and dealers bring their best wares to the event.
the miller
For over thirty years, Miller has specialized in some of the most unique and rare vintage and antique jewelry in Paris. The beautiful store on Rue Saint-Honoré displays vintage pieces from major brands like Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. But Miller also has iconic pieces from history, from a huge jeweled tubogas choker necklace with giant emeralds to a Victorian-style gold snake bracelet. It’s the perfect place to find that special something that really makes you happy.
Citizen Concept Store
The Citizen concept store is filled with retro styles from early 2000s European designers, from Jean Paul Gaultier printed mesh suits to Paco Rabanne chainmail halter tops, with a small but excellent collection of retro designer costume jewelry too. Come shopping for the clothes, but stick around for Galliano-era Dior rings and chunky Chanel earrings, most of which are quite reasonably priced.
