What Is Leigh Jay & Co. (antiqueengagementrings.com)?
Updated
Leigh Jay & Co. is a New York City jewelry business, operating online at antiqueengagementrings.com, that specializes in vintage and antique-style engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewelry. It serves two kinds of buyers: those who want to shop a curated collection of ready-made rings online, and those who want a bespoke or custom design made to order. The main practical detail to know up front is that the showroom at 213 W. 35th St. #304, New York, NY 10001 is open by appointment, so a visit requires scheduling ahead rather than walking in.
What the shop sells
The site organizes its inventory into a few distinct categories, which is useful for understanding the difference between buying something already made and commissioning something new.
- Antique engagement rings — a curated collection of rings in antique and vintage styles.
- Vintage-inspired engagement rings made to order — designs produced on request rather than pulled from existing stock.
- Wedding bands — including antique and vintage styles as well as pieces from the Leigh Jay Collection.
- The Leigh Jay Collection — the shop's own exclusive line.
- Fine jewelry — a broader jewelry category beyond rings.
- Sale items — a dedicated on-sale section.
The distinction between "antique" and "vintage-inspired" matters when you shop: an antique piece is a specific existing ring, while a vintage-inspired made-to-order piece is newly produced in an older style. If you have your heart set on a one-of-a-kind historical ring, look in the antique collection; if you want a particular style or size built for you, the made-to-order route is the relevant one.
Materials and sourcing
According to the shop's own description, its rings are made with vintage diamonds, conflict-free diamonds, and lab-grown diamonds. That gives buyers a choice along a spectrum — reclaimed/vintage stones, newly sourced natural stones with conflict-free stated sourcing, or lab-grown stones. Which one fits depends on whether you prioritize historical character, natural origin, or budget and ethical preferences; the site presents all three as options rather than pushing a single one.
How to buy: online vs. in person
There are two channels, and they suit different situations.
| Channel | Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Online browsing/shopping | Browsing the curated collection, comparing styles, buying a ready-made piece | Product listings organized by category, with a "Most Recent Additions" section |
| NYC showroom (by appointment) | Seeing rings in person, discussing custom work, sizing and stone selection | Appointment required; located at 213 W. 35th St. #304, New York, NY 10001 |
To arrange a visit, the site lists a phone/text number (212-719-2888) and an email address ([email protected]). Current showroom hours as posted are:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 10am – 5:30pm
- Wednesday: closed
- Friday: 10am – 5:00pm
- Select Saturdays and Sundays (the site lists specific upcoming dates)
Because hours include a closed weekday and only select weekend days, confirming an appointment before traveling is the practical step — especially if you are coming from outside the city.
Practical things to check before you commit
- Appointment-only access. The showroom does not appear to accept walk-ins, so plan around the posted schedule.
- Currency and shipping. The site displays prices in United States (USD $) by default and offers a country selector for other regions, so international buyers can check their local currency display.
- Custom vs. ready-made timelines. Made-to-order and bespoke work generally takes longer than buying an in-stock ring; if you are working toward a specific date, raise the timeline when you make contact.
- Stone type affects the decision. Vintage, conflict-free natural, and lab-grown diamonds differ in origin and character, so decide which matters most to you before comparing specific rings.
If your goal is simply to understand what this site is: it is a NYC-based vintage and antique-style ring specialist with both an online store and an appointment-only studio, offering ready-made antique rings alongside custom and made-to-order designs.