SAPPHIRES IN BANGKOK
Mar 13th, 2012, 03:58 AM
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SAPPHIRES IN BANGKOK
Hi, from SA, in Bangkok for 3 days next week - where do i buy a good, REAL, sapphire from - i have one but looking to upgrade to a bigger stone - does not have to be top of the range sapphire, just similar to mine, which is 1.28 select quality (whatever that means!) Please, just a store or two where i know i am NOT going to walk out of there, unknowlingly having been ripped off! I just want a nice stone, i am not an investor, just a lover of the stone! I have read some really sad stories of rip offs and that some well known, government approved, or backed stores, sell fakes as well! how do i know who to trust as far as reputable stores in Bangkok are concerned! I am also going to Phuket for a week after that, so even IF there is a reputable store there, that anyone can recommend. ANY feedback is appreciated and even if someone can give me an idea on pricing, or perhaps a stone they have bought, so i can see if worthwhile buying there versus in SA. Thanks so much! Melinda
Mar 13th, 2012, 06:41 AM
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You'll soon get your answer from Kathie from Seattle, who posts here regularly. I don't want to try to recall the name of her favorite place (and others have shopped here as well and are very pleased) She'll tell you where, and to whom you should make your best deal. The selection will be awesome. The sales person, I think, is Lilly. Now I wish I could come up with the name of the store!! (old age.... it's settling in)
Mar 13th, 2012, 06:58 AM
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kathie uses SJ International... she will tell you more..
jewelers are in every nice hotel, in every mall
i prefer the thai stone jewelry shop in the lobby of the very grotty nana hotel (enter lobby and walk to the rear and shop is on right--closed sundays) on soi 4 sukhumvit rd. nana stop from the sky train.. porn, our sales lady is very accomadating and their prices are fair and honest. they will tell you if the stone has been "heat treated". they will have many, many stones for you to choose from and not just blue sapphires---the green and yellows are nice too.
if you tell them how much you want to spend they will show you stones at approximately that cost range... and if select is a grade, they will also be able to show you those..
jewelers are in every nice hotel, in every mall
i prefer the thai stone jewelry shop in the lobby of the very grotty nana hotel (enter lobby and walk to the rear and shop is on right--closed sundays) on soi 4 sukhumvit rd. nana stop from the sky train.. porn, our sales lady is very accomadating and their prices are fair and honest. they will tell you if the stone has been "heat treated". they will have many, many stones for you to choose from and not just blue sapphires---the green and yellows are nice too.
if you tell them how much you want to spend they will show you stones at approximately that cost range... and if select is a grade, they will also be able to show you those..
Mar 13th, 2012, 07:28 AM
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The issue of heat treatment is critical. A $1000 saphire can be made to look like a $5000+ stone. That does not just go for precious stones. Citrine, etc. works the same way. Even at a reputable shop my wife always asks for the certificate of authenticity and makes sure that they add "this stone has not been enhanced in color by any means" and it also has a legible signature.
Mar 13th, 2012, 11:15 AM
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Yes, I have been buying from SJ International since the 1980s. I have foud that I can buy sapphires in Bangkok for one-fourth of the price in the US. I have no idea how the prices in SA compare. Stan obviously has strong feelings about heat treatment, but the vast majority of sapphires on the market have had some sort of heat enhancement of the color. This change in color is permanent.
I am curently in Kauai, so don't have their business card available, but a search on this board will turn up many posts about them, as I have referred many Fodors friends to them. Call them and they will pick you up at your hotel and take you back - whether or not you buy. Ask for Lily and tell her that Kathie from Seattle sent you. That will get you the best price.
DO NOT under any circumstances go with a taxi driver or tuk tuk driver who says there is a special governemnt sale or such. That is how people get ripped off.
I am curently in Kauai, so don't have their business card available, but a search on this board will turn up many posts about them, as I have referred many Fodors friends to them. Call them and they will pick you up at your hotel and take you back - whether or not you buy. Ask for Lily and tell her that Kathie from Seattle sent you. That will get you the best price.
DO NOT under any circumstances go with a taxi driver or tuk tuk driver who says there is a special governemnt sale or such. That is how people get ripped off.
Mar 13th, 2012, 11:52 AM
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i suggest that you do some internet searches for the cost of sapphires on the world market to get examples of quality and pricing... also look at stores around your home..
my guess is that you will find 1c stones for $50-2000.
my guess is that you will find 1c stones for $50-2000.
Mar 13th, 2012, 12:20 PM
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The contact information I have is
SJ International
125/8 Sawankhalog Rd.
Dusit Bangkok
10300 Bangkok
PH# +662-243-2446
Ask for Lily
They now have a website but it is much better to see Lily at the store and make sure to mention that Kathie from Seattle sent you. We will seeing Lily again this November......this could be a good thing,lol
http://sjjewelry.com/index.php
Aloha!
SJ International
125/8 Sawankhalog Rd.
Dusit Bangkok
10300 Bangkok
PH# +662-243-2446
Ask for Lily
They now have a website but it is much better to see Lily at the store and make sure to mention that Kathie from Seattle sent you. We will seeing Lily again this November......this could be a good thing,lol
http://sjjewelry.com/index.php
Aloha!
Mar 13th, 2012, 02:30 PM
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Aloha Kathie, yes we had the storms last week. As you may know we live on the mountain side and at one point we had 3 mini waterfalls in our backyard. Got a little water in our basement that our DD cleaned up with a wet vac but no other damage unlike many we have seen on TV. The pictures of the flooding on Kauai were not pretty either but thank goodness that's over with now and you can hopefully enjoy the rest of your vacation. Hi to Cheryl!
There must be some really nice waterfall shots for Cheryl to take now if you have a car......Opaekaa Falls is one I can think of off the top of my head just past Lihue near Kapaa.....There also have been a few monk seals coming ashore and basking in the sun right in front of the Hyatt in the mornings and on the little stretch of beach just past the blow hole in Poipu. Close to your Marriot. Linda and I were just at the Hyatt Poipu last month and saw so many whales just offshore in the mornings and before sunset. They must still be there. Have fun!
Aloha!
There must be some really nice waterfall shots for Cheryl to take now if you have a car......Opaekaa Falls is one I can think of off the top of my head just past Lihue near Kapaa.....There also have been a few monk seals coming ashore and basking in the sun right in front of the Hyatt in the mornings and on the little stretch of beach just past the blow hole in Poipu. Close to your Marriot. Linda and I were just at the Hyatt Poipu last month and saw so many whales just offshore in the mornings and before sunset. They must still be there. Have fun!
Aloha!
Mar 13th, 2012, 05:24 PM
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Of course, at Poipu, we didn't get the kind of rain they got elsewhere. I'm glad to hear that you didn't have damage from the storms.
We have seen so many whales this trip - we've sighted whales from our balcony! Beautiful weather today, so we took a drive north.
Aloha!
We have seen so many whales this trip - we've sighted whales from our balcony! Beautiful weather today, so we took a drive north.
Aloha!
Mar 14th, 2012, 02:35 PM
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aloha melinda:
i would take it the sole purpose of your trip is not to find and purchase one gemstone and that you intend to shop morning to night?
you wont be able to learn enough from now until your arrival, but you can go on-line and do some basic gemological research. your best sales move is your own 2 feet! turn and walk out the door and dont get sucked in to a polished sales pitch.
as an amateur gemologist, you have already received some good advice here: if you dont know about gems know from whom you are purchasing. either Thai Stone Jewelry at the Nana Hotel (rhkkmk's favorite hotel) or better SJ Jewelry. you have the telephone number, call and they will pick you up and drop you back safely w/o cost.
i purchased 3 diamonds in the USA and took them to SJ in September 2011 for a 3-stone pendant. they have superior workmanship and do it on site. i would recommend you buy a loose stone so you ca nsee if there are any cracks or ships hidden after setting and let them try to match it with your current sapphire. the prime characteristic will be color. you wont go wrong having them make a pendant or ring. they will help you design what you want or if you have a picture of a piece from a magazine they can copy it. if a ring for a family member not with you, dont forget to size it before. go to a local jewelry store near your home and have them measure it.
there are so many gem shops on every corner! do not go with anyone that approaches you! i dont think you will get any good deal in Phuket. and do not start off telling them what you want to spend. they will always sell you something at that price even if the original selling price is much less before!
have a great trip and let us know how you made out!
i would take it the sole purpose of your trip is not to find and purchase one gemstone and that you intend to shop morning to night?
you wont be able to learn enough from now until your arrival, but you can go on-line and do some basic gemological research. your best sales move is your own 2 feet! turn and walk out the door and dont get sucked in to a polished sales pitch.
as an amateur gemologist, you have already received some good advice here: if you dont know about gems know from whom you are purchasing. either Thai Stone Jewelry at the Nana Hotel (rhkkmk's favorite hotel) or better SJ Jewelry. you have the telephone number, call and they will pick you up and drop you back safely w/o cost.
i purchased 3 diamonds in the USA and took them to SJ in September 2011 for a 3-stone pendant. they have superior workmanship and do it on site. i would recommend you buy a loose stone so you ca nsee if there are any cracks or ships hidden after setting and let them try to match it with your current sapphire. the prime characteristic will be color. you wont go wrong having them make a pendant or ring. they will help you design what you want or if you have a picture of a piece from a magazine they can copy it. if a ring for a family member not with you, dont forget to size it before. go to a local jewelry store near your home and have them measure it.
there are so many gem shops on every corner! do not go with anyone that approaches you! i dont think you will get any good deal in Phuket. and do not start off telling them what you want to spend. they will always sell you something at that price even if the original selling price is much less before!
have a great trip and let us know how you made out!
