Visiting Paris and not shopping for jewelry would be like having dinner without dessert. In this collector’s opinion, Paris is one of the best cities in the world to shop vintage and antique jewels—whether you want to spend $5 on a piece of gorgeously iconic costume jewelry or whether you want to go all out and buy an incredibly special heirloom to keep and pass down for years to come.
To put it simply, Paris has a broad and expansive jewelry history. And there may be no other place in the world where one can walk for 10 minutes and come across so many rare finds and treasures spanning centuries, from Georgian-era hairwork rings to 1980s gem-studded hulking Bulgari rings to highly collectible early Karl Lagerfeld-era Chanel pieces.
Part of the fun of shopping vintage jewelry (and especially antique) is all in the thrill of the hunt. Here, find some of the best places to shop vintage and antique jewelry in Paris.
Hidden on the picturesque Rue Jacob, Tiany Chambard’s shop is tiny but packed to the brim with eccentric maximalist costume jewelry and rare finds from France and the U.S. Think: excessively glittering rhinestone brooches, bakelite in poppy reds and deep greens, vintage decorative compacts from Yves Saint Laurent and plenty of unsigned treasures. The shop first opened in 1973 and focuses on quirky American designs from the 1920s to 1960s. Expect fruit-shaped earrings, chunky bangles, and colorfully oversized button earrings.
Rue Saint-Honoré is a paradise for vintage and antique jewelry lovers, and one could walk down this street and casually run into some of the world’s rarest treasures. Dary’s is one of those spots, which offers up pieces like massive opal Art Deco rings, 1980s Boucheron diamond earrings, Victorian agate carved cameos, and portrait miniature jewels from the 18th century. In business since 1932, just peeking in the window is like time-traveling through jewelry history.
Just around the corner from Dary’s is Au Vase De Delft, whose bijou blue interior looks like the inside of a jewelry box. This shop also offers a highly curated selection of Art Deco sautoirs, Victorian serpent-shaped jewels, and more gems from some of the most iconic names in French and Italian jewelry.
For the ultimate mix of high-low vintage jewelry, Marche Aux Puces Saint Ouen is a must-visit: This is the city’s biggest outdoor flea market, after all. Endless boxes, trays, and tables full of vintage jewelry of all different eras can be found in pretty much any section of the market. Head to the Paul Bert Serpette for super high-end finds, including rare 1970s Yves Saint Laurent chunky earrings or 1990s Chanel Gripoix glass flower necklaces.
This is one of the individual shops inside Marche Aux Puces Saint Ouen with an incredible selection of vintage French designer costume jewelry, including hard-to-find John Galliano-era Dior couture runway parures and rings. In particular, they have an incredible assortment of mid-century Gripoix pieces too.
Another jewel box-sized spot on Rue Saint-Honoré is Osprey, which sells a variety of vintage gems from French heritage houses as well as antique unsigned 1940s gold and diamond brooches, Art Deco pendants, and vintage watches. Just in case you need it, they also do repairs and restorations, specifically on vintage and antique jewelry—and they create custom pieces too.
Twice a year just outside of Paris, usually in March and late September, Foire de Chatou takes place. The legendary outdoor flea market is heavily attended by locals, with over 300 dealers from all over France. The event is big on art and food (it centers around ham and wine), but it’s also easy to find plenty of vintage jewelry, from antique mourning rings to pocket watches and costume jewelry from the 1980s. Every season, top-tier shops and dealers bring their cream of the crop pieces out for the event.
For over three decades, Miller has specialized in some of the most uniquely rare vintage and antique jewelry in Paris. The stunning shop front on Rue Saint-Honoré displays vintage pieces from major houses including Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. But Miller also has iconic pieces throughout history, from massive gem-encrusted tubogas collar necklaces with giant emeralds to Victorian-inspired gold snake bracelets. It’s the perfect place to find a truly special piece to really treat yourself.
Stocked to the brim with European designer vintage from early 2000s Jean Paul Gaultier printed mesh sets to Paco Rabanne chainmail halter tops, Citizen Concept Store also has a small but mighty selection of vintage designer costume jewelry. Come for the clothes, but stay for the Galliano-era Dior rings and chunky Chanel earrings, most at very fair prices.