MajorsJan 09, 2026
Kendra Scott Taps Activewear Exec as CEO Chris Blakeslee has experience at Athleta and Alo Yoga. Kendra Scott will remain on board as executive chair and chief visionary officer.
IndependentsAug 09, 2016
About Retail: Dealing in antique jewelry
Owners of an antique and estate jewelry business discuss the ups and downs of dealing in objects from the past and how they’re positioning the store for the future.
And for a family-run store, that new perspective often enters the picture when the next generation is ready to take the helm.
Jeff Josephson opened Raymond Lee Jewelers, which has its main showroom in Boca Raton, Fla., in 1983 after he moved his family from Scotland to the United States to start his own business. His son Lee has been working at the store full time for nearly a decade, starting right after he graduated from high school. His daughter Erin is also part of the family business, working as a buyer and helping handle the finances.
In Raymond Lee’s early days, the store put more of a focus on designer and branded jewelry, with less emphasis on the acquisition and sale of antique and estate jewelry.
“I didn’t like that model because it wasn’t exciting,” Lee Josephson told National Jeweler. “I saw a new way that I wanted the store to start moving toward.”
As he and his sister began to take more prominent roles at the store, they realized they wanted to change the way the store did business, and began making antique and estate jewelry a bigger part of what they offered. With the exception of some of the diamond engagement rings, most of the jeweler’s selections now fall into that category.
“It keeps it interesting, because you’re not seeing the same pieces over and over again, and you’re offering things that the other stores aren’t,” he says.
One of the obstacles Josephson sees when he’s selling antique or previously owned jewelry can be the disconnect that comes when trying to explain the value of a piece to a customer in order to justify the cost. Customers who don’t have as much knowledge about antiques do not always understand why the pieces are priced as they are.
“What I would consider value, they may not see that. So it becomes more about how much they love it and what it might mean to them more than anything else,” he says.
When asked about pieces that stick out in his mind, Josephson speaks of two
rare Patek Philippe watches that are currently in the store’s possession--a "Nautilus" 5719/1G, which the store is selling for $258,995, and a "Twenty-4" 4910/51g-001, listed at $124,995.
Both watches are 18-karat white gold and completely covered in diamonds, and both still have their original Patek Philippe box and papers.
“They may be considered gaudy by some people, but there are customers who like that kind of thing. And they’re rare, so I’m one of a few to have one of these for sale, which is so cool,” Josephson says.
In fact, for Raymond Lee Jewelers, the pricier pieces currently seem to be selling the best.
“We are finding that the more interesting the piece and the higher the price point, the better a seller it is. In this marketplace, people who have the money are willing to spend it as long as it’s a good value. I don’t buy pieces because they are cool or trendy at all. I want pieces that will give me a return on my investment,” he says. “By targeting higher-end, rare items you can cater to both retail clients who are coming into the store locally as well as other jewelry stores who may be looking for something specific.”
Opening the store up to buying and selling to other jewelers is another change the second generation of Josephsons made.
They do a fair amount of business this way, Lee Josephson says, with more and more businesses calling to locate something specific. Raymond Lee Jewelers generally sends from one to three packages on loan to other jewelers every day.
They also buy pieces from other stores looking to sell and will buy merchandise that is being liquidated as well as take back any pieces originally purchased from Raymond Lee for full price.
But even as they change to try to find a niche in the marketplace, Josephson says they still face increasing competition in antique and especially estate jewelry, noting that he’s seeing more and more retailers adding pre-owned selections to their inventory.
The company will continue to focus on the pieces with the best story and value to separate themselves from the pack.
“It’s a very complicated business because you really have to know what you’re doing or you could end up with a piece you’ve paid way too much for or that you won’t be able to sell again,” he says. “It’s definitely not easy. I feel like I work 24 hours a day. If you want to be somebody in this business, you have to put in the time.”
More on Independents
The Latest
SurveysJan 09, 2026
U.S. Holiday Retail Sales Up 4%, Visa, Mastercard SayThe credit card companies’ surveys examined where consumers shopped, what they bought, and what they valued this holiday season.
AuctionsJan 09, 2026
Christie’s Names New Global Managing Director for LuxuryKimberly Miller has been promoted to the role.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
CollectionsJan 09, 2026
Piece of the Week: Lionheart’s ‘Serenity’ Opal CharmThe “Serenity” charm set with 13 opals is a modern amulet offering protection, guidance, and intention, the brand said.
Weekly QuizJan 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Pandora’s New ‘Bridgerton’ Jewels Celebrate Bees, Bows, and Blooms“Bridgerton” actresses Hannah Dodd and Claudia Jessie star in the brand’s “Rules to Love By” campaign.
Events & AwardsJan 08, 2026
Ana Khouri To Receive 2026 Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceFounded by jeweler and sculptor Ana Khouri, the brand is “expanding the boundaries of what high jewelry can be.”
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
TrendsJan 08, 2026
Stuller’s Color of the Year Is a Stark Contrast to Pantone’s WhiteThe jewelry manufacturer and supplier is going with a fiery shade it says symbolizes power and transformation.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Gracie Abrams To Front New Chanel Jewelry CampaignThe singer-songwriter will make her debut as the French luxury brand’s new ambassador in a campaign for its “Coco Crush” jewelry line.
MajorsJan 08, 2026
Diamond Council of America Names New Board DirectorsThe nonprofit’s new president and CEO, Annie Doresca, also began her role this month.
ColumnistsJan 07, 2026
Peter Smith: Physical Retail—The Beginning or the End?As the shopping mall model evolves and online retail grows, Smith shares his predictions for the future of physical stores.
Events & AwardsJan 07, 2026
Melee Adds 13 New Designers to NYC ShowThe trade show is slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at The Lighthouse in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.
TrendsJan 07, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Go for GarnetJanuary’s birthstone comes in a rainbow of colors, from the traditional red to orange, purple, and green.
SourcingJan 07, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Releases 2025 Impact ReportThe annual report highlights how it supported communities in areas where natural diamonds are mined, crafted, and sold.
CrimeJan 06, 2026
2 Jewelers Arrested After TraxNYC Diamond District BrawlFootage of a fight breaking out in the NYC Diamond District was viewed millions of times on Instagram and Facebook.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Rio Grande Says These Are the Top Personalization Tools for 2026The supplier has a curated list of must-have tools for jewelers doing in-house custom work this year.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Zales Tests Out A New LookThe Signet Jewelers-owned store, which turned 100 last year, calls its new concept stores “The Edit.”
MajorsJan 06, 2026
LeachGarner Appoints New Director of SalesLinda Coutu is rejoining the precious metals provider as its director of sales.
SourcingJan 06, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 BoardThe governing board welcomed two new members, Claire Scragg and Susan Eisen.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: New Year’s EditionSparkle with festive diamond jewelry as we celebrate the beginning of 2026.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
MajorsJan 02, 2026
Marc Metrick Out as CEO of Saks Global Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over the role as rumors swirl that a bankruptcy filing is imminent for the troubled retailer.
Events & AwardsJan 02, 2026
Jan Mohr, Couture’s ‘North Star,’ Dies at 71Mohr had just retired in June after more than two decades as Couture’s retailer liaison.
SourcingJan 02, 2026
IDCA Elects New President, Board of DirectorsShekhar Shah of Real Gems Inc. will serve as president of the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association in 2026.
CollectionsJan 02, 2026
Lalaounis’ 2026 Good Luck Charm Speaks to ResilienceThis year’s good luck charm features the mythical horse Pegasus, and is our first Piece of the Week of the new year.
EditorsDec 31, 2025
The Top 5 Stories of 2025Articles about crime, engagement rings, and a necklace worn in the World Series generated the most interest among readers.
