Marcie Imberman of Kentshire Galleries, a third-generation antiques business, says they've become increasingly selective about what shows they attend.

"We have several retail sites in New York and so we're busy folks, but I kept hearing good things about the Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair so we thought the timing seemed right," Imberman says.

Besides prints and paintings, Kentshire Galleries is displaying a treasure trove of antique and estate jewelry from the Georgian and Victorian eras right up to the 1970s.

"We're bringing Art Deco emerald-and-diamond earrings by Tiffany, which are quite extraordinary," she says. "We also have a Tiffany emerald-and-diamond ring that came from the same family."

Imberman points out these pieces, which also include Cartier hoop earrings that run about $60,000, are their show pieces, but they also have much more affordable pieces including 1940s retro tank bracelets, called that because the design replicates tank tracks.

"We want to have something for everybody, so we try to have the complete range," she says.

That's the goal, says Ann Frunland, director of marketing for the Antiques Fair.

"There's a really good mix here," says Frunland, noting Martha Stewart will be the keynote speaker.

"There will be a wide variety of price points, so people shouldn't be scared off or feel constrained. We have pieces that start at $5 and go on up. If someone is looking to buy things, you can find many things that would cost the same amount you would pay in a store."

The entrance fee is $25 and for that, it's like entering a candy store of wonders for grownups.

Bill Rau of M.S. Rau Antiques, a third-generation business in New Orleans, which also is the largest antique gallery in the United States, says many of its clients are located in Chicago and Northwest Indiana, and so they thought it would be good to bring their wares to the Mart to accommodate them.

"We're bringing in very good things," Rau says. "We have a Van Gogh and two Utrillos, some great silver by Paul Revere, Paul Storr and Paul de Lanerie, important porcelain and some wonderful English and French furniture. And that won't be half of what we're bringing; we're bringing about $25 million worth of stuff."

Besides browsing, Frunland points out there will be seminars including one on Regency Revival that discusses the emerging trend in Regency-era decorative arts and another, suited for many of us, about how to talk to dealers and negotiate deals.

"One of the other things we recommend to people is that they talk to the dealers, because the dealers have such a great wealth of knowledge and they can tell you what makes each piece unique, why it costs what it does and its unique story," Frunland says.

"That way, whether you buy it or not, you'll have a great story to tell."