Elegance and Sparkle Wrapped up for the Holidays at Rumson China & Glass

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By Cort Smith

Rumson China & Glass partners, from left are, Barbara Edwards, her daughter Jennifer Edwards and Silvia Culver.

Rumson China & Glass owner Barbara Edwards doesn’t think that price should be a barrier to buying great gifts for the holidays.
So, the store offers a variety of items in the $20 range (fine candles, for example) wrapped – like all its purchases – to perfection with the best quality ribbon and paper. For high-end shoppers there are always Herend figurines – a staple and strong holiday seller since Barbara and her husband launched China & Glass in Rumson in 1969 – that start around $75 and can go up to as much as $10,000.
“We have customers who wait for Christmas to buy Herend figurines and buy them in multiples,” says store partner Silvia Culver.
In between, there are gifts in every price range for items that include everything from china, sterling silver, crystal, Limoges and leather goods to collectibles such as Halycon Days and Herend – one of the largest in-store collections in the country.
As for likely holiday hits this season: “We have beautiful pewter and enamel trinket boxes that are embellished with Austrian crystals, and inside the box is a necklace that matches the box,” notes Culver. In other words, a little Faberge-like egg necklace will be hiding inside a small Faberge-like egg box. Culver believes these boxes – running about $50 – will serve as “perfect holiday gifts for girls.” Also on display are exquisite jeweled crystal frames from LOCJET, costing anywhere from $150 to $500.
Perhaps the store’s most unique holiday 2012 offering – and likely stellar seller – is a line of designer Santa Clauses. Deemed “absolutely stunning” by Culver and handcrafted by the company Curt S. Adler, the various Santas are decked out in designer wear that includes Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry and Coach. Prices start at about $125.
“I think in the economic environment we’re in right now, we all have to help each other,” says Barbara Edwards, referring to her new retail neighbors in Red Bank. The shop moved from Rumson’s River Road to 105 Broad St. in October. “I try to limit my lines in terms of what I carry, so I don’t interfere with anyone else.”
Rumson China & Glass is located at 105 Broad St. in Red Bank. Additional information is available by visiting the website at www.rumsonchina.com or calling 888-800-0020.