Buying vintage jewellery often begins with a detail you didn’t know you were looking for. It could be a line of green stones across a gold band, a pendant small enough to wear every day or a watch with a case that looks quite different from anything you’ve tried on before. That sense of discovery is part of the appeal of Julerie, a family-run Belgian jewellery retailer based in Ghent.
The shop brings together vintage rings, pre-owned fine jewellery and luxury watches. Its roots go back three generations, to a collector who put her own jewellery in the family’s first display cases. Today, the catalogue gives shoppers a chance to explore older designs and see how they might fit into a modern wardrobe.
The Ghent family behind Julerie
Suzanne had an eye for antique jewellery and colourful gemstones. When she opened a shop with her daughter in Ghent in 1976, some of the pieces she had collected for herself became the first pieces customers saw. For a small shop finding its feet, those display cases already had a point of view. They held the kinds of jewellery Suzanne liked enough to bring home.
The family went on to open more shops across Flanders. Suzanne’s grandchildren, Julie and Christophe, represent the third generation in the trade. Christophe built his experience in jewellery, while Julie worked in luxury hospitality and events before joining him. The siblings came to the business from different directions, with a family connection to the pieces they were choosing and selling.
Colour is one thread that runs through the story. The retailer’s own collection has featured pale aquamarine, pink morganite and green tourmaline rings. Set against one another, the stones show how much character a change in colour can give a ring, even when the overall design stays similar. It’s easy to see why someone who started by collecting gemstones might have wanted to share that interest with others.
What you can find in the online jewellery catalogue
Rings take up a large part of the catalogue. Julerie has separate categories for vintage rings, pre-owned rings and pre-owned diamond rings. An emerald and diamond half-eternity ring is one example of a design where colour runs across the band. An orange topaz cocktail ring takes a different approach, with one large stone drawing the eye to the centre.
Think about how each would look with something you already wear. A row of small stones can bring colour to a plain band you’ve owned for years. A cocktail ring can stand on its own with a simple outfit. If you’re drawn to the larger stone, a side view will help you judge how high it sits above your finger.
There are also necklaces, pendants and bracelets. One necklace pairs pearls with a vintage gold cross, giving an older piece a different setting in which to be worn. The watch catalogue has featured Cartier, Rolex, Hermès and Bulgari. One Hermès Heure H listing paired a small steel case and white dial with a cognac-coloured leather strap that wrapped twice around the wrist.
Catalogue pages can show pieces that have already sold. If something catches your eye, open its individual listing and check whether it is available. A sold piece can still help you narrow down what you like, whether that’s a small watch face, a certain shade of green or a ring with a low setting.
What to check before buying pre-owned fine jewellery
Product photographs draw your attention to the most attractive angle. A few other views can tell you more about wearing the piece. For a ring, look for a photograph from the side and one of the inside of the band. For a pendant, check its size as well as the chain length. You can compare both with a necklace you already own to get a sense of where it will sit.
Look closely at the parts that get the most use. A bracelet clasp should close securely. The small metal claws around a stone should hold it firmly in place. If a piece has an older repair or a replacement part, ask what work was done. A short written description can clear up questions that are hard to answer from photographs.
Fit matters especially when buying a ring online. Julerie invites customers to ask about ring sizing and possible alterations. A ring with a plain section of band may be easier to adjust. A full eternity ring, with stones running all the way round, can be more difficult to change. Ask about the specific design if the listed size is close to yours.
With a pre-owned watch, check the case dimensions and the length of the strap or bracelet. Read the listing carefully for details about any replacement parts, service paperwork and original packaging. A watch can have its original box and a newer strap, as the Hermès example shows. Both details are worth knowing if you care about what comes with the piece.
Why vintage jewellery appeals to modern shoppers
One reason to browse older jewellery is to find a shape you seldom see in newer collections. A pendant might have an unusually long outline, or a ring might use a raised setting that lets you see the sides of the stone. Those details can make a familiar material such as gold or diamond feel fresh.
It helps to know what the labels tell you. Pre-owned means a piece has had a previous owner. It could be a recent design or a much older one. Vintage points to a piece’s age or period. If that period is part of the appeal, ask for an approximate date and any details that help place it.
There’s also the simple pleasure of finding a piece you can picture wearing often. A watch may look formal in its display photograph but feel relaxed with a leather strap and a rolled-up shirt sleeve. A pearl necklace might work just as easily over a plain jumper as it does with evening wear. Once you can picture a piece in your own life, it becomes easier to decide which details matter to you.
Conclusion
Julerie’s story began with Suzanne sharing pieces she had chosen for herself. Three generations later, the Ghent retailer still offers the pleasure of browsing across styles, from a narrow band set with coloured stones to a watch whose strap gives it an entirely different look on the wrist.
If a piece stays on your mind, go back and look at the detail that drew you in. Check how it fits, how it fastens and how it would sit alongside what you already wear. The piece you reach for on an ordinary Tuesday may be the one that makes the search worthwhile.
(FAQs)
Where is Julerie located?
The retailer lists its address as Sint-Niklaasstraat 8, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. The address uses Gent, the city’s name in Dutch.
Does the shop sell modern jewellery?
Yes. The catalogue includes modern fine jewellery alongside vintage and pre-owned pieces. Its own collection has featured gemstone rings and necklaces.
Can I ask about a ring before placing an order?
Yes. The retailer invites customers to get in touch with questions about ring size and resizing. It helps to mention the specific item and the size you need.
What should I ask about a pre-owned diamond ring?
Ask about the condition of the stone and setting, any repairs and whether a grading report is available. If you plan to wear the ring alongside another band, check the height of the setting as well.
Is the brand name another spelling of jewellery?
It’s the name of the Belgian retailer. For the general term, jewellery is the standard British spelling and jewelry is the usual American spelling.
