BillT

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!

rhkkmk

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

rhkkmk

it may be LIM silver??

BillT

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.

hawaiiantraveler

Lin silver is the name

Kathie

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

haroth

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!

eilinn_londoner

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.

yankeetraveller

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!

Kathie

You are most welcome!

KATIEtheGREENE

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?

Kathie

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.

rhkkmk

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...

jebbo

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.

Kathie

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

Wirraway

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?

Kathie

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

Wirraway

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

Wirraway

Sorry for the typo Kathie

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.