RAPAPORT...  The organizers of the 49th annual Original Miami Beach Antique Show reported record attendance and robust sales. This year's show was held from January 21 to 25, 2010 at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Florida and showcased fine vintage jewelry, silver, original paintings and works of art spanning more than three centuries.

Highlights included a $1 million Van Cleef & Arpels necklace with approximately 150 carats of diamonds and South Seas pearls and a 21.54-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond surrounded by ten carats of white diamonds in an 18-karat, white-gold setting.

“Despite the current economy, we saw a record number of people attending and purchasing antiques at this year’s show,” said Andrea Canady, dmg media's fair director for the Original Miami Beach Antique Show. “Our show is an indicator of antique purchasing trends for the year and we saw novice and serious antique enthusiasts purchasing a large variety of quality items.”

Maria Domont, who owns Domont Jewelry in West Hollywood, California, said, “This year’s show was great. Our booth traffic was steady and despite the economy, attendees were purchasing vintage jewelry and accessories.”

LH