SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRFThe National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.
IndependentsFeb 14, 2020
Beloved Antique Jewelry Dealer Lenore Dailey Dies
She passed away Wednesday evening at her home in Palm Springs, California surrounded by family and friends.
Palm Springs, Calif.—Lenore Dailey, the beloved antique jewelry dealer who was a fixture at trade shows, died Wednesday evening at her home in Palm Springs, California following a nearly three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Dailey worked in a number of fields, including interior decorating, before discovering her passion—antique jewelry, said Alyssa Lynn.
Lynn is a third-generation antique jewelry dealer who runs her family’s Los Angeles-based business, Mary Ann-Tiques. Her mom and Dailey were so close, they were like sisters, and Lynn grew up calling Dailey her aunt.
She said Dailey’s entrée into the business was hair jewelry (meaning jewelry that incorporated human hair), which was not in demand when she started some 30 years ago.
“At the time, nobody wanted it,” Lynn said.
But Dailey stayed true to her interests, specializing in hair and mourning jewelry from the Victorian and Georgian eras and even earlier, never getting more modern than Art Deco (and even stocking very little of that).
“She found a niche in the business, and she loved it,” Lynn said, “and she made everybody else love it too.”
Over the years, Dailey kept growing her eponymous business and started exhibiting at trade-only as well as consumer-facing jewelry shows on the East Coast, while also encouraging her friends at Mary Ann-Tiques to branch out from the West Coast.
Her booth become a must-visit at every trade show she attended, from Miami to Michigan to Maryland to Vegas.
She also served as a font of well-researched information for collectors, other dealers and editors alike, including the editors of National Jeweler.
Antique and collectibles expert Harry Rinker, who considered Dailey a close friend, said she was his primary consultant in assembling his wife’s Victorian Era jewelry study collection, and also was his “go-to” person for questions on Victorian and Edwardian jewelry.
“Lenore’s greatest strengths were her gregarious personality, her ability to personalize a piece of jewelry using historical facts and anecdotal stories, and her willingness to share knowledge without expecting anything in return,” he wrote in an email to National Jeweler Thursday.
“She made jewelry come alive. She was as much a teacher as she was a dealer.”
Despite her vast knowledge, Dailey never would have described herself as an antique jewelry “expert.”
In a 2014 interview with National Jeweler on Georgian mourning jewelry, Dailey demurred when asked about being labeled an expert on mourning jewelry, instead referring to herself as
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
an “enthusiastic collector with much to learn.”
News of Dailey’s passing was shared on her Instagram account, @lenoredailey, on Thursday.
“We cannot possibly express our feelings of loss,” the post read. “Lenore will continue in treasured memory and is expressed in the abundant beauty that she shared with everyone.
“Her kindness and generosity will continue on through all of you, follow your passions and go buy a jewel!”
Word of Dailey’s passing spread quickly, and those in the jewelry community began sharing photos and memories of the beloved antiques dealer, including Danielle Miele (@gemgossip), Becky Stone (@diamondsinthelibrary) and Cathleen McCarthy (@thejewelryloupe).
Lynn said Dailey had no children of her own but became a mother figure to many young people in the jewelry industry; Stone described her as “our antique jewelry fairy godmother.”
Katrina Canady, show manager for U.S. Antique Shows, which runs the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show among many others, said her mentorship is a major piece of Dailey’s legacy.
“When I think of Lenore, whom I have known for 13 years, I immediately think about how supportive she was of young, up-and-coming dealers and collectors, especially women,” she said.
“She would generously give these young women her time and take them under her wing, selflessly sharing her knowledge and showing them the ropes. She will be deeply missed by me personally and by everyone in our U.S. Antique Shows community.”
Lynn said services are scheduled to take place Feb. 20 in Palm Springs.
She said Dailey’s Instagram account will remain active, as she has tons of inventory. Instagram users will still be able to see and purchase her items.
In addition, they will keep “Lenore Dailey LLC” on the booth at trade shows—which she usually splits with Mary Ann-Tiques—and Dailey’s inventory will still be sold there as well.
“She’s going to still be going,” Lynn said. “That’s what she really wanted.”
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Lenore Dailey (@lenoredailey) on Feb 13, 2020 at 9:04am PST
News of Dailey’s passing was shared on her Instagram account, @lenoredailey, on Thursday.
“We cannot possibly express our feelings of loss,” the post read. “Lenore will continue in treasured memory and is expressed in the abundant beauty that she shared with everyone.
“Her kindness and generosity will continue on through all of you, follow your passions and go buy a jewel!”
Word of Dailey’s passing spread quickly, and those in the jewelry community began sharing photos and memories of the beloved antiques dealer, including Danielle Miele (@gemgossip), Becky Stone (@diamondsinthelibrary) and Cathleen McCarthy (@thejewelryloupe).
Lynn said Dailey had no children of her own but became a mother figure to many young people in the jewelry industry; Stone described her as “our antique jewelry fairy godmother.”
Katrina Canady, show manager for U.S. Antique Shows, which runs the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show among many others, said her mentorship is a major piece of Dailey’s legacy.
“When I think of Lenore, whom I have known for 13 years, I immediately think about how supportive she was of young, up-and-coming dealers and collectors, especially women,” she said.
“She would generously give these young women her time and take them under her wing, selflessly sharing her knowledge and showing them the ropes. She will be deeply missed by me personally and by everyone in our U.S. Antique Shows community.”
Lynn said services are scheduled to take place Feb. 20 in Palm Springs.
She said Dailey’s Instagram account will remain active, as she has tons of inventory. Instagram users will still be able to see and purchase her items.
In addition, they will keep “Lenore Dailey LLC” on the booth at trade shows—which she usually splits with Mary Ann-Tiques—and Dailey’s inventory will still be sold there as well.
“She’s going to still be going,” Lynn said. “That’s what she really wanted.”
More on Independents
The Latest
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With MagicThe 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in MilanThe multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.
Weekly QuizApr 03, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on TariffsThe virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a ZooThe pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For NowParent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C. Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client WorkshopThe educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in FloridaThe debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
