Bangkok Jewelry shoping
 

I'm travelling in September and wanted to find out if anyone has reputable jewelry stores they can recommend in Bangkok. I'm looking for white gold or silver with amethyst or garnet for myslef and something youngish also for my neice who is 21.

Thanks

SJ International - call them. Ask for Lily. Tell them Kathie from Seattle referred you. They will pick you up and return you - no charge.
http://www.sjjewelry.com/contact.php
My wife Jeane has done well here as have several others on this forum.

Craig thank you for replying. I saw an old thread mention SJ jewelry so I was hoping someone would say it's still around.

And still just as good as ever. I'll be there next weekend!

Say hello to Lily for me - it's been a couple of years since Cheryl and I have been there.

I visited their website and they had wonderful pieces but no prices, are they as expensive as they look?

No. Remember to say I sent you and you'll get the best prices. I can typically buy loose stones for one-fourth the US retail price, one-half the US wholesale price.

The best deals are in sapphires and rubies. You can certainly buy semi-precious stones, but the precious stones are a better deal. I also don't know that they do much with silver, as that tends to be used only for less expensive jewelry.

If you are really looking for inexpensive silver jewelry, try the silver stores behinbd the Oriental hotel.

I actually prefer white gold to yellow gold but I didn't see much of it in ther website, do you remember if they do any? I also want to get saphhire or ruby earrings but set in white gold if possible.

What else do you shop for in Bangkok?

Yes, they do have white gold. And they will make anything you want. Sometimes I find a piece of jewelry I love, other times, I go with something specific in mind and have them make it (and deliver it to my hotel).

I like the Jim Thompson designs, and often buy things for my house like duvet covers. I have a favorite Jim Thompson purse, a tapestry with monkeys on it that everyone comments on. Check out the outlet store - sometimes I find great bargains, sometimes nothing at all.

I also buy art and old crafts in Bangkok.

Voted for SJ as well!! They have lots of inventory in their back room. On their website are just the sample of what they have. You can call or email them to arrange their free transportation! [email protected]....I always email them in advance.

our favorite is thai stone jewelry in the grotty nana hotel, soi 4, sukhumvit rd.

they are a small operation, family owned abut have a decent collection. they have very little silver, but plenty of white gold.

their prices are very fair

Thanks for this good information....do you bargain with them on their prices? Are the rubies heat treated and do they tell you where they come from. Our local jeweler told me Burmese rubies are illegal in the States?? Any tips for purchasing a good stone? Thanks!

Burmese rubies are not illegal in the US.

If you use my name, there is no need to bargain, they are giving you their lowest price. They are glad to tell you the origin of the stones, and will tell you whether they are heat-treated (most stones are, these days).

Tips for purchasing a good stone: do your research first. Go to jewelry stores where you live and ask to see their best stones and price them. Read up on what to look for. When you are in SJ ask them to talk with you about the stones, what makes one better than another if it is not obvious to you. I can generally get loose stones for one-fourth the US retail price.

Nokomis, there a quite a few fodorites who have been going to SJ for years. At Fodors Asia GTGs, we all compare our favorite finds!

But to get the deals, you must follow the rules. Call (or have your hotel front desk call) for a free ride, then you must say "Kathie from Seattle told me to work with you". You can name drop the rest of us, but Kathie will get Lily droping your prices down to the very bottom.

No need to haggle, but if something is out of your budget, ask if she has something like it with a smaller or cheaper stone or less gold.

Thanks for the information....Burmese rubies are illegal to import but does that mean we can purchase one for personal use?

Yes.

Actually, the economic sanctions against Burma are changing.

Thanks Kathy, did you purchase one?

I have purchased many things from SJ. I do have a beautiful pair of Burmese rubies purchased a couple of decades ago.

Ssshhhhhhhhhsshh!!!!!

We are headed back to Bangkok in November and don't want to give Linda any heads up ;)

Aloha!

Happy shopping, HT! I'm so sorry we won't be in Bangkok this year. So many of our friends will be there.

On our trips to Bangkok we always visit the silver shops behind the Oriental hotel. On the main street behind the hotel (about a block from the hotel)you will find many small silver shops.From the hotel walk down the street until you come to main street and turn left. On either side of the street you will find the shops. Some of them are retail and some are wholesale. Wholesale in this sense that they may require you to buy 5 or more of an item. We found these shops to be very very reasonable in price. The silver is sold by weight and there is no bargaining. If you buy a lot they may give you a small discount. These shops have the silver in containers stacked floor to about 8 feet up. They are separated by rings, bracelets, necklaces etc. Wonderful items at a really good price!

in the same area billT speaks of on oriental lane, the lin silver shops offer quality wares

it may be LIM silver??

Bob is that the name of the side street that connects to the Oriental Hotel? I cannot remember the name of the main drag where all the little silver shops are located.

Lin silver is the name

The silver shops there are perfect for simple silver jewelry. No stones.

i can vouch for SJ International. as an amateur gemologist i had 3 diamonds i purchased in the USA. i brought them to SJ this past sepetember to have them make a 3 stone drop pendant. they have an excellent and skilled workshop on premises and their stock is amazing. the work was the best i have had from bkk. they will pick you up and return you to your hotel. no pressure and lily is exceptionally helpful. i agree semi precious stones are not plentiful in most shops. SJ did have some spinel in red and blue (almost as good as ruby and saphire) at low prices compared to the USA. best of luck!

I have been to many jewelry stores in Bangkok and SJ international is by far the best for a serious jewelry buyer. The store has a terrific selection - I purchased some ruby and sapphire jewelry the last trip and have since recommended many of my friends to go vist. Thankfully they have all shared with me the pleasant experiences and customer services they have received from SJ.
I like it there because they will always attempt to present me with all my options, trying to help me find the perfect piece at the best price. I met with the owners myself and love how it is a family business, very personable indeed. If you are looking for loose gemstones, they have almost everything you can imagine. Remember to call or email SJ in advance. i think their website has all the details. www.sjjewelry.com They will arrange for their driver to pick you up from your hotel. How convenient! And best of all, there is really no pressure to buy something (unlike those stores that you've been taken to by taxi drivers/concierges) for fear you will be left behind.

Kathie from Seattle thatnk you for the recommendation I went to SJ and followed your instructions to a T! I ended up buying a pair of white gold hoops with diamonds and saphires and earings for my sister, sister in law and niece all of whom loved our gifts. Big thank you!

You are most welcome!

I'm interested in checking out this jewelry retailer during my upcoming trip. Could you perhaps offer an example of what their prices look like?

It is pretty hard to offer examples, as the size and quality of the gems vary as does the weight of the gold.

The best deals are on Thai sapphires, second best on rubies. As diamonds are internationally priced, there isn't a lot of difference there. Gold is also internationally priced, but they charged much less for workmanship, which makes custon-made jewelry is good deal.

As mentioned, I can get loose stones for a quarter of the US reatil price. Do some comparison shopping before you go, so you have a perspective on jewelry prices.

SJ has a huge array of items from nvery reasonable, like $100 for a jade buddha the size of a 50 cent piece to diamond and sapphire earrings for a few hundred to many thousand.

we did find the gold weight to be lighter on many pieces than we are used to, but that probably is a good thing with gold at $1700. per oz...

Was in Bangkok recently and was looking on websites for clues of places to purchase quality jewellery. I came across this site and "Kathie". I followed her instructions and SJ International came and picked us up from the Ploenchit area. I was very happy with the purchases I made and, the friends we had with us, were happy to go mad with purchasing jewellery; they had me worried as they are not well off, but they were pleased as punch with their purchases.
So thank you Kathie and others for this advice.

So glad I was able to help you stimulate the Thai economy! I love all of my jewelry from SJ.

Hi guys,

After reading many informative threads on fodor's, I decided it was time to sign-up. I am planning to travel to Thailand for just over a week, near end of the year. I have been several times and made a few small jewellery purchases in Bangkok through Johny's Gems (Fueng Nakorn Road, Phra Nakorn). I have been very happy with the results and would be happy to go back. However, I was planning to visit several places since I have a bit of time, despite not having any word of mouth recommendations.

I have read several positive reviews about AJ's Gems (Mahesak Rd., Bangrak) and Lambert Gems (Silom Road, Silom) but do not have any experience with them. Kathie seems to fully endorse SJ Jewelery and I'm keen to see their wears. Does Lily from SJ mind that these referrals are on fodor's Kathie?

Lily is glad to sell jewelry to all of my Fodors friends.

Hi Katie,

Thanks for the reply. I just wanted to make sure.

How extensive is the loose gems range? Could one walk in with a loupe and ask for any quality and size (within reason) of gem, or should I begin a correspondence with them in advance? Following on from this, how long does it take the SJ jewelers to make custom settings?

Cheers,

Dave

Sorry for the typo Kathie

Their collection of loose stones is huge. No need to ask in advance. Tell them what you are interested in and they will bring out papers of gems, tell them larger, small, darker, lighter, different shape, whatever and they will have more. Bring you own loupe or they will let you use one of theirs.

Custom settings generally take a day or two. Bring a photo if you know what you want, or one of their designers can make a sketch.