BillT

Would like to know where in BKK can one find honest, reliable, jewelry shops that offer fair/bargain pricing on jade/silver/rubies?
We are looking to spend a few hundred $$$ on some rings, bracelets, necklaces etc.
Would prefer those that are near a skytrain station. Also does one need to haggle at these shops?

MarcieLynn

Unless you really know what you're doing (and sorry, you don't sound like you do) I would be VERY careful about buying gems and jewelry in Asia.

The only really good deal there is gold. The 23k or 24k variety. They sell it by weight and charge only a small percentage for workmanship. Everything else, will be overpriced.

And as for Jade, that's VERY tricky. I'm a collector myself but still a novice. I've bought 50 pieces over the last 3 years and only 3 have turned out to not be jade. But, I do my homework and have studied jade like I'm taking a college course in the subject!

Good luck.

sandi

There are government appoved jewelers all around BKK, selling sapphires, rubies, diamonds - every size, shape, price. And like anything else, you have to have an idea of what quality and prices you are dealing with. We saw people walking out with the entire place having spent thousands of dollars, and others with only one or two rings, or earring or bracelet, and like me, none - I was interested in Jade only, though my travel partner did purchase two small dainty rings.

As far as Jade is concerned, we waited till we reached Chiang Mai, where at the foot of the Doi Suthep is Orchid Jade, which is suppose to be a most reputable company. We found jade in every color and price range and were very comfortable with the purchases we made.

For silver, again in Chiang Mai where there are many jewelers specializing in silver and my travel partner was very pleased with a necklace.

Because we were buying quite a bit of Jade we did bargain, and my partner bargained on her silver, and stone rings in BKK. But I still always feel that while we think we've gotten a good deal, as they say in Las Vegas "the house always wins" - no one is giving anything away!!!

I still feel more comfortable making jewelry purchases right here in New York on 47th Street at a favorite jeweler with whom I've done business over the years and know if I don't like something or something goes wrong with my purchase can easily return.

Know your stones and prices and then you're on your own.

Kathie

As everyone else has said, you need to know what you're doing to get a great deal on jewelry in Bangkok, just as you need to know your stones and your prices to get a good deal in the US. I've been buying stones (sapphires and rubies) is Bangkok for 20 years. I find I can get stones for half of the US wholesale price. But I do have a relationship with a jeweler there, and I do know my stones. You can probably get an ok deal at a reputable jeweler even if you don't know much. Still, do your research first. I've been buying from SJ International 125/8 Sawankhalok Road Dusit, Bangkok. Call them to come pick you up at your hotel.
02-2432446, 02-2432447, 02-2415270

rhkkmk

we buy jewerly only for my wife's personal use....mostly we have it custom made in bkk.....we use Thai Stone Jewerly, a small shop in the lobby of the nana hotel, soi 4, sukumvit rd....lets stop right here: when you see the hotel and the shop you will be turned off just as we were...the only reason we went in was because one of our oldest friends had been doing business there for 30 years....we see Amporn, a lovely middle aged thai woman....she is called porn...that in itself should arouse your curiosity....
they have some things in the case...gold, stones, silver and the like, but mostly porn does custom work....you need to know what you are looking for...there is little or no bargaining....the price is what it is....she wants to know what price you had in mind and she can work things to achieve that price....change from 18K to 14K ---go to a smaller stone or one of less quality....

we have found them very fair and reasonable....their workmanship is beautiful.....

we find the prices to be 50% or more off the american price....you get lots of gold for your dollar...everything is done by weight...

if you want a gold braclet....you decide on a style and then you decide on how much it should weigh and then you have the price....it can go up or down..

at least give them a look-see

remember don't be offput by the place....sit and talk for a while....
there is no pressure

BillT

What about jewelery in the department stores? probably not the best pricing but can one be sure that what you are buying is the real thing?

rhkkmk

with all the jewerly stores in bkk, it would not even occur to me to look in a department store.....i have been in many and don't honestly remember seeing anything but costume jewerly....