James Michael Vela has always been a collector. Growing up in Texas, he gathered small knickknacks and charms, and eventually he learned about antiquing. When he moved to New York after college, his interest in treasure hunting was piqued. After working as a freelance fashion assistant at Vogue and spending a few years focused on scouring the East Coast for rare antique jewelry, Vela decided to turn his passion into a business. He launched his namesake business in April of this year and currently has more than 300 pieces from the 1800s to the 1970s in stock. He sells online only and has gained some buzz thanks to Emily Ratajkowski, who has worn several pieces from Vela in the last couple of months. Some of the pieces currently on Vela’s website include a Victorian coral-and-diamond ring, a pair of Georgian citrine paste earrings, and an opal locket from the early 1900s.
“The Brimfield flea market in Massachusetts is one of my favorites,” Vela says when asked where he likes to do most of his jewelry shopping. “I also try to make two buying trips a year to England, where I’ve scored some really amazing finds.” He adds, “With jewelry, there really is an emotional connection between the piece and the wearer; it’s so much more than decorative adornment, it’s a personal story.” Vela admits that it is often very hard for him to see one of his pieces get sold. “I have a hard time parting with Georgian white enamel mourning bands,” he says. “White enamel in mourning jewelry is scarce; it represented a loved one who was unmarried or a child. I love the deeply personal aspect of these kinds of pieces, as they usually include a name, date, and age of the person who passed on.” As evident from the recent rise in mass popularity of vintage fashion—see the Kardashians and their ’90s-era Gucci and Versace—shoppers are connecting with things that have a backstory. “I often marvel at how jewelry from a bygone era is still so relevant,” says Vela. “It just goes to show that the integrity of antique jewelry is timeless.”
