There are very few moments when I am at a loss for words, but when I stepped into Alice Kwartler Antiques on Park Avenue on a chilly day over the weekend, I was 100% speechless. It takes awhile for your heart rate to go back to normal and that’s when you can begin to take it all in! There are floor to ceiling glass cabinets on every wall, brimming with sterling silver, bar ware, glassware, picture frames, jewelry boxes, and many other precious objects which line the perimeter of the store. In the center, there are quite a few cases which ooze of gold–from big bold chains and bracelets, to dainty gold rings and hundreds, no, make that THOUSANDS of charms! I bet you could think of any object and there would be a charm for that at Alice Kwartler. The jewelry cases close to the back of the store house a wide selection of fine jewelry from all different time periods, some designer, and a grand selection of antique engagement rings and bands. By the time you get to this section, your heart rate will race back upwards and you’ll truly know you have an obsession with jewelry just as much as the owner of this incredible store, Alice.
Speaking of Alice, Ms. Kwartler first began her business over 40 years ago during a time when most females weren’t doing independent business ventures like opening up their own store. She was approved for a $10,000 loan and that was what she used to begin her career. Her current location on Park Avenue has been open for over ten years and her inventory today is one of the most extensive I have ever seen! When speaking with Alice, you can tell how proud she is with how far her dream has come and her passion for jewelry, both buying and selling, is adamant. She always put money back into her business, which is why she believes she has a lot of success and die-hard clients. People come to visit her store from all over the world, as it is a destination shop to say the least. It was really neat to learn that Joan Rivers and Michael Jackson have visited the store. Being on Park Avenue has created a stream of foot traffic, with shoppers popping in and not even realizing what a grand treasure trove they have just stumbled upon! As soon as I posted a video on my Instagram page of me pawing through a heap of gold charms from their case, I quickly learned how many fans Alice already had from my audience! So many people chimed in with their thoughts about visiting the store, even some from different continents who exclaimed they couldn’t wait to visit again in the future…and that Alice Kwartler is always their first stop when visiting NYC. I love that.
Within the gold selection, I found several necklaces that are POPPIN right now–some thick gold layering pieces and one item that I get asked about ALL the time: a plain gold wire necklace for easy charm stacking. Alice Kwartler has a few actually (I wore one in the styled photos, as you can see). I love an all-gold look, and if you’re wanting to expand on that for your wardrobe, you must visit! You will walk out the store with your ideal look and it will be a one-stop-shop. No need to wait years to find that perfect piece–they have it waiting for you! And yes, I’ve said it before in my Instagram post already, but if you are a charm addict, you need to RUN, don’t walk, over to Alice Kwartler and spend some time digging. You’ll find charms that you’ve been searching years for or items that “got away.”
Alice Kwartler is also the ideal spot to shop for an antique engagement ring in NYC. The ambiance is low key and relaxing, where you can take your time and try on lots of different styles so you’re able to find “the one.” All-original antique wedding bands are getting harder and harder to find nowadays. Alice has a great selection of 1920s bands that will pair nicely with both modern and antique engagement rings. She also has bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings from all time periods and for all gifting occasions, so send your loved ones and husbands here during the holidays. You can’t go wrong!
Thanks to Alice, Amie, Ken and John for welcoming me into the store, I had so much fun and wanted to live there for at least a few days! I left with a handful of charms and I’ll show you guys what I brought home with me sometime soon in a My Jewel Box post. Stay tuned!
New York, NY 10022
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