Bangkok Jewelry shoping
Sep 26th, 2013, 01:07 AM
#41
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I emailed SJ on Monday, that I was passing through Bangkok on Wednesday (last night) and not only did they get back to me, they sent a driver to pick me up. We braved serious Bangkok rush hour (not recommended) but made it in time. I worked with Lily and left with some pretty amazing jewelery. They have much more than what is displayed, so dont be shy about asking. I lean towards original designs (they have many) and things that look different from the gads of stuff you can find everywhere. Their prices are very good (they have everything marked at "retail" but offer you "wholesale". Of course these are just numbers, of which I am always wary, but was very pleased with the jewelry I bought and the prices I got it for.) I am pretty experienced with jewelry and gems (completing my Graduate Gemology degree) and in general a uber cautious when buying jewelery anywhere. I am very pleased with my purchase and would recommend SJ to anyone.
Jan 30th, 2015, 06:15 PM
#43
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I'll be in Bangkok in March (my first time). I am interested in visiting SJ. Has anybody bought something from SJ at a good price then when they got home, the quality and value was confirmed?
I read the thread and Kathie says sapphires are the best deal, which is what I am looking for. Jewellery is a big purchase for me and I do not want to regret my purchase when I get home.
Thanks for your help!
I read the thread and Kathie says sapphires are the best deal, which is what I am looking for. Jewellery is a big purchase for me and I do not want to regret my purchase when I get home.
Thanks for your help!
Jan 30th, 2015, 06:47 PM
#44
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Yes, I've had a lot of my SJ jewelry appraised, and it all appraises as expected. One of my jewelers in Seattle used to buy loose stones from SJ.
The people who regret their purchases are the ones who fall for the cab driver who says there is a special 1-day government sale, or the fake ex-pat who says they finance their trips to Bangkok by buying and re-selling jewelry or the person who goes to the jewelry store recommend by the person in the skytrain station... You get the picture. Do your research ahead of time - know what you are looking for and what it would cost you at home.
The people who regret their purchases are the ones who fall for the cab driver who says there is a special 1-day government sale, or the fake ex-pat who says they finance their trips to Bangkok by buying and re-selling jewelry or the person who goes to the jewelry store recommend by the person in the skytrain station... You get the picture. Do your research ahead of time - know what you are looking for and what it would cost you at home.
Jan 31st, 2015, 09:54 AM
#45
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Thanks Kathie.
I started asking around here and many jewellers said larger, round sapphires are hard to find here. Do you think they are common in Bangkok (which would mean a better price)?
Is it better to buy the loose sapphire and have it set at home or were your pieces appraised as expected when they were also set at SJ?
Also, do you know if Lily is still with SJ and may I say I was recommended by you?
I really appreciate your help.
I started asking around here and many jewellers said larger, round sapphires are hard to find here. Do you think they are common in Bangkok (which would mean a better price)?
Is it better to buy the loose sapphire and have it set at home or were your pieces appraised as expected when they were also set at SJ?
Also, do you know if Lily is still with SJ and may I say I was recommended by you?
I really appreciate your help.
Jan 31st, 2015, 11:28 AM
#46
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I've certainly seen round sapphires at SJ. Most of them are oval, though.
I used to bring home the stones and have my jeweler set them, but then I discovered how inexpensive it is to have them set at SJ. While the gold is the same price, they charge very little for their excellent craftsmanship. Last time, I brought along a photo of a ring style, and Lily and I made revisions and they custom-made the ring for me.
Lily is still there, and you are welcome to use my name.
Happy shopping!
I used to bring home the stones and have my jeweler set them, but then I discovered how inexpensive it is to have them set at SJ. While the gold is the same price, they charge very little for their excellent craftsmanship. Last time, I brought along a photo of a ring style, and Lily and I made revisions and they custom-made the ring for me.
Lily is still there, and you are welcome to use my name.
Happy shopping!
Feb 1st, 2015, 02:05 PM
#48
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A word of warning about SJ. I bought my wife a sapphire and diamond ring some years ago and was very pleased. Had valued upon return to London for insurance and the value placed upon it by the valued was twice what I had paid for it (-although that is not unusual when valuing jewellery for insurance),
My wife was very pleased with the ring but after a couple of year, one of the smaller diamond fell out.
We took it for repair and the jeweller showed us that they had used soft white gold, rather than the harder platinum which would be the norm. As a result all the settings needed replaciing because they had worn.
The jeweller also pointed out that the smaller diamond were actually chipped but that the chips were hidden by the settings. All was fixed but we did feel that we had been fobbed off with
less than perfect workmanship. Check whatever you buy with a jewellers loupe for any issues and ask for a written description of the item stating the matterials used for setting.
My wife was very pleased with the ring but after a couple of year, one of the smaller diamond fell out.
We took it for repair and the jeweller showed us that they had used soft white gold, rather than the harder platinum which would be the norm. As a result all the settings needed replaciing because they had worn.
The jeweller also pointed out that the smaller diamond were actually chipped but that the chips were hidden by the settings. All was fixed but we did feel that we had been fobbed off with
less than perfect workmanship. Check whatever you buy with a jewellers loupe for any issues and ask for a written description of the item stating the matterials used for setting.
Feb 1st, 2015, 02:37 PM
#49
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crellston, sorry you had a less than perfect experience with SJ. Had you taken the ring back to SJ they would have repaired it for free.
It's true that they rarely use platinum in Thailand and that they use high carat gold (18k in typical), so the gold is softer than that typically used in the US (14k). I don't know what is typical in Britain.
It's true that they rarely use platinum in Thailand and that they use high carat gold (18k in typical), so the gold is softer than that typically used in the US (14k). I don't know what is typical in Britain.
Aug 3rd, 2015, 02:13 PM
#50
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Hi Kathie,
I've been meaning to write but time got away from me.
We were in Bangkok for 3 days so I called Lily on our first day. She was lovely on the phone and arranged for a van to pick us up promptly the next morning.
When we arrived, she greeted us with some much needed water and she had someone take care of my sister while she helped me.
First of all, the selection is impeccable and the pricing was phenomenal. Secondly, Lily was funny, professional, and a wonderful salesperson!
I was only going to buy just the sapphire because we didn't have enough time to have a ring made. Or so I thought. Lily spoke with her manager and they were able to accommodate my tight schedule. They made a gorgeous, timeless sapphire solitaire ring with diamond accents AND a full eternity band in 30 hours AND it was delivered to our hotel. I wish I could get this kind of service at home!
It was an amazing experience from start to finish. My only regret - I didn't have more time to have more pieces made.
For service, awesome prices, and quality craftsmanship - Lily and SJ are unbeatable!
Thank you so much, Kathie, for introducing me to Lily and SJ - the only salesperson and jeweler for me when I am in Bangkok!
I've been meaning to write but time got away from me.
We were in Bangkok for 3 days so I called Lily on our first day. She was lovely on the phone and arranged for a van to pick us up promptly the next morning.
When we arrived, she greeted us with some much needed water and she had someone take care of my sister while she helped me.
First of all, the selection is impeccable and the pricing was phenomenal. Secondly, Lily was funny, professional, and a wonderful salesperson!
I was only going to buy just the sapphire because we didn't have enough time to have a ring made. Or so I thought. Lily spoke with her manager and they were able to accommodate my tight schedule. They made a gorgeous, timeless sapphire solitaire ring with diamond accents AND a full eternity band in 30 hours AND it was delivered to our hotel. I wish I could get this kind of service at home!
It was an amazing experience from start to finish. My only regret - I didn't have more time to have more pieces made.
For service, awesome prices, and quality craftsmanship - Lily and SJ are unbeatable!
Thank you so much, Kathie, for introducing me to Lily and SJ - the only salesperson and jeweler for me when I am in Bangkok!
Aug 3rd, 2015, 09:34 PM
#52
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Thumbs up to S.J. I have been going there for years and have some beautiful, yellow sapphire and diamond pieces. I also got my mom a gold elephant pendant with beautiful rubies and on a gold chain. She has worn it almost daily since I bought it probably about 8 years ago now. She said that that's the one piece of jewelry that she gets the absolute most compliments on.
Some years ago, I also took in a friend's, beautiful, semi-precious stones that she had bought in Brazil as she used to go there a lot. She now lives there. Anyhow, Lily and I talked about designing some earrings with the stones in them, so she sent in the jewelry designer and we sketched some designs and the earrings were made. My friend absolutely loved them. My friend had told me that she would trust my design decisions so I had a lot of freedom to create whatever.
I really should have gone over to S.J., on this most recent trip to Bangkok, as I had over 3 weeks there. But, I'll try harder to drop by to see Lily when I go back in the winter. I'll start tearing out pages of jewelry designs that I like, from magazines, and then take them in.
Happy Travels!
Some years ago, I also took in a friend's, beautiful, semi-precious stones that she had bought in Brazil as she used to go there a lot. She now lives there. Anyhow, Lily and I talked about designing some earrings with the stones in them, so she sent in the jewelry designer and we sketched some designs and the earrings were made. My friend absolutely loved them. My friend had told me that she would trust my design decisions so I had a lot of freedom to create whatever.
I really should have gone over to S.J., on this most recent trip to Bangkok, as I had over 3 weeks there. But, I'll try harder to drop by to see Lily when I go back in the winter. I'll start tearing out pages of jewelry designs that I like, from magazines, and then take them in.
Happy Travels!
