Debra:

M.S. Rau Antiques prides itself on offering exceptional and rare antiques. With regards to your antique jewelry, what are some of the qualities you look for when obtaining new jewelry acquisitions?

Bill:

A piece must be beautiful. If it’s not pretty, why have it? My overall philosophy is what kind of a presence does it have? If it doesn’t meet the presence test, I pass on it. The advantage of M.S. Rau Antiques is that our antiques store also carries fine jewelry. We have access to our clients’ homes for antiques, and as well as their jewelry, that other jewelers wouldn’t have access to. People trust us. We are very bullish about keeping our reputation.           

Debra:

Many antiques have very interesting stories to tell. Do your antiques have some colorful stories?

Bill:

I have so many colorful stories– I have a whole Crayola box.

Debra:

M.S. Rau Antiques frequently has royal pieces available. What is or was your most unusual pedigree piece?

Bill:

A sapphire necklace that was part of the French royal jewels. After Napoleon III was in financial trouble, Tiffany went over and bought the jewelry.

Debra:

What is the oldest piece of jewelry you ever acquired?

Bill:

An important thing to know about jewelry is that sometimes stones are re-cut over the years, making it difficult or almost impossible to date. Many 18^th century pieces have stones that may be 500 – 600 years old. The high period for jewelry was the end of the 19^th century and the first 20 years of the 20^th century. Also, as technology developed, the quality of the cuts increased, as stones were better cut and were prettier.

Debra:

Throughout the years have you seen a change in the type of antique jewelry that your clients have wanted to acquire?

Bill:

The jewelry market is quite fluid; think of a river, what is popular today wasn’t popular 20 or 40 years ago. In the past, the marquis cut was the most expensive cut. Today, a round cut costs more than a marquis cut. Change of taste and market.

Debra:

What advice would you give to someone looking to purchase antique jewelry as an investment?

Bill:

Antique jewelry is a horrible investment, as it is one of the last things that people will give up. Ladies become attached to their jewelry and won’t let them go. I recommend that you only buy something that you will actually wear not leave it in a vault. Most importantly, buy it from someone your trust. Ask about their return policy. M.S. Rau has a 125% guarantee, and are happy to take returns.

Debra:

The Art Deco period produced some exquisite pieces. Would your say that this period is the most sought after when it comes to antique jewelry?

Bill:

It was definitely a major period with some phenomenal pieces.

Debra:

Your grandfather, Max Rau founded M.S. Rau Antiques in 1912. It is a business that has remained in your family for the past 93 years, which is a story in itself.

Tell me a little about how Max Rau began in 1912.

Bill:

My grandfather started out with $600 in savings, of which he put $300 in the bank in case his business venture failed. He went to people he knew to get things on consignment and worked incredibly hard. He did whatever it took. He died when I was 5 years old, but I knew that everyone liked him. He was fair but worked hard. It is still our philosophy today, but I don’t work as hard as he did.

Debra:

As a third-generation Rau, have you seen the company grow and change into other areas of antiques?

Bill:

Unequivocally, many things that we used to carry we no longer carry, and we are always changing.

Debra:

How does someone learn about antiques?

Bill:

Re: antiques, 70% of the rules are the same across the board, with 30% difference. You need to figure out what is the same. I grew up in the business so I had a head start. I worked at the store in the summer while I was in High School. I learned to ask good questions, and not to be embarrassed to still ask questions, because I continue to learn something new all the time.

Debra:

Are you a collector?

Bill:

I never wanted to collect what the store dealt in, but yes, I am, a collector. I collect “Freedom of the City” boxes, from different cities that were given to honor important people, including a box that was presented to Henry Morton Stanley (Dr. Livingstone).