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Heading For The Original Miami Beach Show (OMBAS) February 6, 2018EXHIBITS & EVENTS, SCOOPOff

As many of you know, I am an antique jewelry aficionado (read: antique jewelry-obsessed). But last year I got snowbound while Original Miami Beach Antique Show (OMBAS)  bound. My flight was canceled and my airline could not get me out until the night before I had to be home for a major assignment.  I was in a perpetual state of “what did I miss?”

But this year, I have taken out all of my vintage and antique good luck charms to wear for a little luck, faith and hope that neither ‘sleet nor snow’ or any natural disasters will keep me from the show.

And, I am super excited about this year!  I began attending the show 20 years ago, originally asked by dealers who taught me the ins and outs of the business to help them sell at their booths. This was a great way to learn as much as I could and also to get in on the action of finding all the goodies early on. Later, I scouted the show as a journalist for various magazines. This is where I first saw the best of the best (under one roof in the U.S.), dealers who hailed from England, France, Amsterdam, Belgium, Italy and from all parts of America.

Although exhilarating, it was a bit overwhelming at first. But I learned to navigate, armed with the knowledge I gained along the way, with introductions from one exhibitor to another,  years of studying pieces and scouring the show to discover which dealers featured the rarest authentic jewelry from each century. There is also something about stumbling on to new and equally alluring dealers which makes my heart skip a beat.   Finding a new exhibitor that specializes in Art Deco or Georgina or Mid-Century signed jewelry is as satisfying as purchasing a new jewel. Okay,  maybe I am getting a bit carried away, but it’s definitely up there with an antique jewelry aficionado’s and journalist’s quest–to hunt down and uncover the rare and the historical treasures, the jewels with tales, lore, and true legends– from renowned  jewels to those once owned by royalty.

Which brings me to another reason this  year is very  special for me- I am a guide for  two tours on Saturday 10th, 2018 at 1PM and 5PM ,to take novice and consummate  collectors  throughout all the time periods and introduce the people on the tour to different dealers. I will also be discussing topics such as how to starter buying antique and vintage jewelry , how to identify reproductions, how to choose the rare and investment pieces as well as how to negotiate and sniff out a bargain or two.  These are just a few of the aspects I covered when  I first gave this tour in New York to a sold-out crowd.

Here is a preview of some of the exhibitor’s and their pieces that can be seen at the show. I will be reporting on the show when I get home and will bring you the most awe-inspiring jewels for OMBAS. Until that time, please do follow me on Instagram @bethbejeweled starting on Feb 9th- Feb 11th, 20018 to catch some more sneak peeks as I cover the show.