It seems as though this is the time of year that alot of the Fodorites are enjoying Thailand - my turn soon - 6 months tick-tock.
I LOVE rings and would like to get a special one designed and made if possible (as well as buying others). I noticed that Kathie from Seattle likes SJ International and Bob goes to Thai Stone Jewelry. I have tryed to find webpages for these shops but without any luck. Does anyone know if there is a way to communicate with either (or both) of these jewelers? Or is there some other jewelers that are recommended?

I await you reply(s).

Thank you
Deborah

This site shows only a few things that are available at SJ Intl.

http://www.sjjewelry.com/catalog/main_primary.php

Aloha!

Also note that the prices quoted on the website are different (higher) from those you will get in person In Bangkok after telling them that Kathie from Seattle has sent you.

Thanks a lot hawaiiantraveler and Kathie (belated Happy Birthday). I am so looking forward to buying some jewelry!

Thanks for the birthday wishes, Chucko.

Do ask for Lily when you go to SJ. She'll be glad to help you. I had two rings made this last trip as well as a pair of earrings. The website will give you an idea of a small part of what they have in stock. Personally, I've never tried to communicate with them via email. There just seems to be too much potential for miscommunication. Wait until you get to Bangkok and go see them.

I just returned from Thailand Friday. I spent one afternoon at SJ Jewelry. They were great. They picked me up from my hotel, and I got some really good deals on black saphires. My husband was amazed because he buys all my jewelry(for holidays)and was pleasantly surprised at the prices. We did ask for Lillie and mentioned Kathie. I highly recommend SJ Jewelry.

i will look up thai stones' new page, but i think it is just in the planning stages...the best way to do jewelry in bkk is to go in person as websites are deceiving and the actual prices are not quoted accurately...

thai stone is very familiar with doing custom work as that is what we mostly do with them...

i will get back to you

I too would like a name or two. I purchased a knock off Cartier ring (absolutely beautiful setting, garbage sapphire) on our first trip there 8 years ago. No fault of the jeweler. He tried to convince me to get the beautiful corn-flower blue sapphire. I wanted "the good deal". I'd love to bring the ring back and see about doing it right. Wonder what a 3 carat oval cornflower blue sapphire would cost?
I've been posting on this board for several years now, and usually don't ask about "things". This may be our last trip to Asia, however, and I have got the "bring it all home fever."
Speaking of which, I want a spirit house....may post a new query on that.

jodo,

We picked up a 2.75 carat cornflower blue sapphire from Lily at SJ Intl last March for $2,180.00 US after discount using Kathie's name of course.

This is a beautiful stone in a very simple setting. We are going to have it reset in another setting soon either here or when we get back to bkk as Linda is in no hurry . She is very pleased with that stone.

They have lots of stones to pick from. All colors grades and sizes. They have something for every budget. We find the prices soo good that it becomes an investment as well as LOTS OF FUN !!

Aloha!

I highly recommend Karat Jewelry. They have 2 or 3 stores. The family has been in the jewelry business for 5 generations and the younger members, at least, have been trained in the United States at GIA in addition to having graduate degrees from U.S. universities. They only carry top quality items.

Thanks for the input. (8 years ago we could have had a magnificant cornflower blue sapphire (2+ carats) for $1,000. Yikes!
Onto the spirit house. I have the miniature from T.J. Maxx that reminds me of how much I love Thailand. I wonder about one for out front (the way it's supposed to be). We live in Virginia, so we got humid, cold, and everything in between. Anybody ever bring back a wooden spirit house that lasted in that weather situation?
(When we were in Xian, China, we brought back 1/2 size Terra Cotta Warriors which promptly disintegrated in our back yard. But do you believe it? We called the museum shop in China and they promptly sent out two new ones no questions asked. I love Asia. (We keep those indoors, however!)

Jodo, take a look at SJ for sapphires - there are lots of colors, as you know, and I expect they'll have soethig wonderful that fits your budget.

As far as spirit houses go, if they are solid teak, and of good construction they should do fine in a sheltered place in your garden,

again the problem with a spirit house is getting it home...i looked for one last fall and none i found could be disassembled so it was almost impossible to get them home without shipping a huge crate....which is expensive....i found them in a nice sice for around $100 in wood...many that you see for sale are concrete or stone...

yes, shipping is a problem...unless you plan on bringing enough goods to stock your own TJMaxx..I've got 6 weeks to figure this out. I'm coming home with a Spirit House...or maybe just the spirit!

SJ is great! We have several things made last year. They turned out to be absolutely gorgeous and really great deal.....The owner's daughter has also a graduate gemologist from GIA. Give them a call. They can send the van to pick you up. Enjoy!

SJ...Two thumbs WAY up. A friend of mine gave me 10 loose precious gemstones that she'd bought in Brazil. She told me to use my imagination and come up with a pair of drop earrings.I took the gemstones to SJ recently and spoke with both Lily and the jewelry designer. I threw out some design ideas and he threw out some and we sketched until we came up with what I thought my friend would like. The earrings ended up absolutely fabulous...and for $300. They were supposed to have been $350, but I talked them down and also paid in U.S. dollars since my friend had given me $300. My friend was absolutely speechless when she opened the jewelry box.

If you want white gold..as she did, then the price is high, but if you ask them to take yellow gold and dip it in white gold then the price will come down considerably. It came down about $50. on the earrings I had done for my friend.

I also did business with SJ during the summer and couldn't have been more satisfied. Design is VERY important to me and they have excellent designers. Happy Travels!

ttt