I recently had the wonderful opportunity to attend the first occurrence of Lueur NY, a new antique jewelry show from the renowned U.S. Antique Shows group. The Lueur jewelry show is remarkable in several ways, first and foremost because it features only jewelry.
Only jewelry!
The Lueur jewelry show was held in the Javitz convention center, in a room I’d never seen before – smaller and more private than the main event space. It was my understanding that this was the first time U.S. Antique Shows had held an antique jewelry show in this space, and some of the dealers and attendees I chatted with weren’t all delighted with the venue.
I heard rumors of difficulty with the setup logistics, and also with overzealous door security. I personally was searched every time I came back from the bathroom and was nearly denied entry twice. Thankfully, staff from the show office were called in both times and they vouched for me.
However, any new show will have kinks to work out, and the treasures on display more than made up for any inconvenience. The lighting was also better for photography than it sometimes is at these shows, and the aisles between booths were nice and wide.
It was an interesting mix of dealers, including several I’d never seen. I saw more vintage and estate pieces on display than I normally see at such events, as opposed to just antique jewelry. And oh my goodness, were there some exceptional pieces around.
I started by visiting the lovely Jane of Prather Beeland, whose beautifully displayed wares are always a delight. The opal ring above – which began life as a brooch, and has been expertly converted into a ring – pretty much blew my mind.
I also had the honor of meeting Gloria of Glorious Antique Jewelry.
She showed me these two Georgian sepia mourning rings. The motif on the left suggests the ring was in commemoration of a spouse, while the “nipt in the bud” motif showing a broken rosebud was typically used in memory of a child. Both pieces were in exquisite condition.
A pair of perfect Art Deco sapphire and diamond earrings at Rod Billing’s booth. They have an almost Art Nouveau feel, with those curving lines. But the colors are all Deco.
This sapphire and diamond beauty above is an Art Deco engagement ring at Chas Schwartz & Son. Isn’t the side detail incredible?
This lovely carved jade and diamond brooch was also at Chas Schwartz & Son. As was this beauty:
I only managed to photograph this antique emerald and diamond pendant from a strange angle, but I still had to show you. Look at the gold-set emerald, the tiny twinkling diamonds, the majestic bow on top! And let’s not forget this one:
This antique gold and diamond necklace was one of the first pieces I saw. Simply lovely (at “Nice Things” Estate Jewelry).
I show you a lot of rings, so while I was at the Baltimore Summer Antiques show I made an effort to photograph necklaces. How do you like this one? It’s from R&R Estate Buyers at Abbot’s in Michigan.
R&R had some really glorious pieces, including some of my favorite rings of the day. How do you like this trio?
Here’s an incredible antique parure from 
This incredible tanzanite and diamond ring was already sold by the time I stopped by 
They had some lovely antiques there too, like this bar pin converted into a pair of earrings.
This particular antique emerald and diamond ring has haunted my dreams since I tried it on that day. The bow detail in the filigree hurts my heart, it’s so beautiful.
This fairy queen of a necklace – opals, diamonds, filigree – was at 
