Tiina Smith Takes Vintage Fine Jewelry Seriously

Tiina Smith Takes Vintage Fine Jewelry Seriously

You won't find a plethora of diamond engagement rings and tennis bracelets - the mainstay of typical jewelry stores - at Tiina Smith Jewelry. The assortment at the Boston store-cum-gallery and e-commerce site is a reflection of founder Smith's taste and knowledge of important vintage fine jewelry.

"I wanted to create a brand that had a little bit of an artistic nature to it,“ Smith said of the business. "Vintage jewelry was an obvious choice because I have a vintage jewelry collection. It's something I'm passionate about. I wouldn't start a business in my 50s, if I wasn't passionate about it.“

Smith searches for vintage fine jewelry with interesting designs from the 20th and 21st centuries. Drawn to unique items that aren't available elsewhere, she homes in on scarce and one-of-a-kind pieces with prestigious signatures such as Cartier, Tiffany



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, David Webb, as well as second-tier names.

Putting together a jewelry collection is like creating a successful stock portfolio, said Smith, who approaches vintage jewelry with the same rigorous research she brought to her previous career as an asset manager for high-wealth clients.

"If I'm looking for a retro 1940s Art Deco bracelet, I ask myself, 'Is this