Where Are All the Antique Jewelry Shops in Italy? Our Surprising Search for Vintage Treasures Abroad

We recently had the chance to travel through some of the most beautiful, history-rich places in the world, Florence, Rome, Naples, Santorini, Mykonos, and Kusadasi. With centuries of culture and craftsmanship behind them, we expected to find antique and vintage jewelry on just about every corner.

But to our surprise, that wasn’t the case at all.

Despite visiting several major cities, we only found one store that focused on antique or vintage jewelry. When we asked the jeweler why there weren’t more, he simply told us, “It’s very difficult to find.” That answer left us both curious and intrigued.

Old World, Few Old Pieces?

At first, it seemed hard to believe. Europe is so old, surely antique jewelry would be more common there than in the U.S. But after speaking with locals and reflecting on the experience, it started to make more sense.

In countries like Italy and Greece, heirloom jewelry is often passed down through generations and kept within families. There isn’t a strong resale culture for these pieces. They're worn, cherished, and held onto and not necessarily sold to shops or dealers.

We also noticed that the jewelry stores we did visit weren’t about selling as much inventory as possible. Instead, they emphasized quality over quantity, similar to how meals are approached in Italy: thoughtfully prepared, slowly enjoyed, and deeply appreciated. There was time for conversation, education, and admiration of the craftsmanship.

Shopping Experiences Across the Mediterranean

Italy and Greece offered an enjoyable, elegant experience. The jewelers were knowledgeable, proud of their work, and happy to share details about the materials and designs. You could feel the respect they had for their crafts and for the customer.

In contrast, shopping in Kusadasi, Turkey was very high-pressure. The pieces we saw were more mass-produced, and the experience reminded us more of fast fashion than fine jewelry. The gold was still beautiful, but the atmosphere was rushed and less personal.

Why This Matters to Us at Gilded Roach

This journey reinforced something we already believe deeply: antique and vintage jewelry is about more than just age, it’s about story, craftsmanship, and intention.

At Gilded Roach, we don’t just sell jewelry. We try to curate pieces that carry meaning, that reflect the artistry of their time, and that deserve to be cherished in their next chapter. Not finding what we expected overseas reminded us exactly why we do what we do, curating special pieces, honoring their stories, and connecting them with people who truly appreciate their past.

So, while we didn’t come home with armfuls of vintage finds, we came back with something even more valuable: a renewed appreciation for the work we do, and the stories we get to share with each piece we pass along to you.