Sarah Churgin
“I have always loved jewelry. It is a major art form with a 150,000 year history which has been around more than 100,000 longer than cave drawings.“
As owner of Acquisitions Fine Jewelry and Antiques on Mt. Kemble in Morristown for 24 years, Sarah Churgin began her love of fine jewelry and antiques in a most unique way. As a child with a mother who was an earth science teacher, Sarah had a passion for collecting rocks and minerals. In fact, one time she thought she had found an old fossilized bone only to later discover that it was actually a bird bone. Not to be deterred, Sarah set out on a path in life and has built several successful careers out of her love of fine and antique jewelry, silver and vertu.
Early success actually came as one of the first noted female cooks in the professional kitchen of NYC and was the first Saucier at Tavern on the Green in NYC, where she would stop by antique/thrift shops along her way to and from work. Her ability to “pick” gave Sarah the eye to spot exquisite jewelry pieces for sale, thus allowing her to resell for profit to Phillips Auction House, allowing her to use this profit to purchase a new washer and dryer for her Brownstone!
With long restaurant hours and caring for a growing family, Sarah leaned into her other interests, which led her into the antique business. She was also instrumental in founding the jewelry and silver departments at Rago Auction House in Lambertville in the early 2000’s achieving multiple record prices for consignors over the fifteen years of her tenure.
Since 2011, Sarah has appeared as an expert appraiser for the popular PBS series, Antiques Roadshow, where she provides expertise at the jewelry table.
When the Women’s Association needed a new home for the Bargain Box Thrift Boutique, our dear Gail Decker happened to mention this to Sarah, who suggested WAMMC consider renting the building that Sarah had purchased across the street. Sarah had been infatuated with the design of the building, which she had purchased earlier. The WAMMC President at the time, Mary Courtemanche, was contacted on a Friday and within days the wheels of the contract started turning…thereby beginning a lovely and long standing relationship between Sarah and the WAMMC’s Bargain Box. “I love the Box. I love Maggie and the sense of completeness I feel when I go in. Life is short and every happy day is a good day.”
We welcome and thank Sarah for her expertise in style trends, findings, and how to spot reproductions.