Thanks for the info on the white gold. How long does it take to make custom pieces?

We gave them 10 days to make my custom pendant, however, I think they are capable of making items in a shorter time than that.
Sue

Just back from myh local jewelers with the appraisal on my S.J. Jewlery purchases.
Very pleased. The Black south sea pearl and diamond, white gold earings we paid $805 was appraised at $2,500 the white south sea pearl 14Kyellow gold with diamonds earings we paid $705 appraised for $1,800. The one I'm so so happy with is the Amythyst pendant. I had a well worn large amythyst which they polished and re cut, it was set in a lovely 18 K yellow gold surround and they used lots of diamonds from an old piece I never wear as a swirl around it and on the clip. The pendant clips onto pearls or a gold chain it's just so lovely. We paid $260 for the work and the gold and the pendant appraised for $2,500.

So again Kathie, thank you so much for the recommendation. We will visit Lily at S.J. next time we go and I would feel quite confident with my purchase.
Sue

sue---the app. are for insurance value or replacement value??

Sue, so glad you had a great experience there. I visit Lily each time I'm in Bangkok.

Hi Bob
It says on the Appraisal the value as listed for insurance or other purpose at the current retail value excluding any taxes.
I realize that most jewelry has sales, however, even if I deduct 25% on a sale for anything similar I could find here I still feel very satisfied with my purchases.
Was at a well known higher end jewelers before I left and was interested in Black south sea pearl earings in white gold with diamonds and the price was $4,800. My pearls are 11 mm high quality(same as US Jewelers) in white gold with perhaps just a fewer diamonds and I paid $805 I'm every bit as happy with the ones from SJ as I would have been from the US Jewelers.
Sue

May I ask a question?
How much duty did you have to pay when you brought back the gold & diamonds, etc.?

Whats duty?

I've used SJ two years now at Kathie's recommendation and been very happy with both the regular stock and their custom work. This last trip my aunt got a gorgeous loose sapphire at Thai Stone J (Bob's choice) but she hasn't had it appraised yet. Thanks to both Kathie & Bob! I was told the duty on our recent purchases would be about 3% on the amount over our $1600 allowance (and I was thousands over and my aunt the same) but customs at Newark decided not to charge us at all. We each had listed everything we had purchased during our latest 22 day visit - 4 pages @. They didn't have a cashier on duty and since the stuff was all for us or family, after the agent consulted his supervisor, he said "go". Needless to say we did! Perhaps I will post a trip report (I usually just lurk) after a bit but I promised Lori to do the Siem Reap school visit first.

Sorry posted too soon. My husband and I are currently in Barbados. I've mostly recovered from my bout of bronchitis during the trip but am still recuperating from my broken leg -had a Thai foot massage on 30/1, the day before we left for home and while I knew it hurt I kept going. A week after I got home, my orthopedist found a fractured tibia and a fractured fibula, but said I would be fine in about 12 weeks. Who would have thought? I avoid body massages after my experience at Face last year - lovely ambience but a little rough on my bad back. Oh well, I'm able to hobble at least although not allowed on the beach. Sorry for getting off the subject!
Janice

re: duty The US laws change at least annually. Right now, I was told jewelry from Thailand enters the US duty-free. That was my experience in November, and Claire reported the same a week or so ago.

jrseager, glad to hear you are feeling better. I always warn people about Thai massge if they have back problems. I am unable to tolerate Thai massage due to a car accident a number of years ago. But I always go to Face and have a scented oil massage.

the program which governs the entrance, duty free, of many items into the usa from 3rd world (developing) countries is called GSP....you can google it and read what is and is not covered....currently (nov, '06) gems and gold from thailand, if totally produced within that country, are exempt from duty....this may change...

many many items are covered....check out the situation....

rhkkmk,
do you have the website of GSP? I searched it under google, found lots GSP, but none seems to be the one.
Is there a list of the countries under this GSP policy?

go to us government official site....then go to treasury dept....then go to customs....i think you will find it there...