Thank you very much.. it must be the innate politeness that stops them from saying "Who?" I know I will not return to the Gem Gallery. My own fault because I bought for the sake of buying - didn't feel good and it was last minute. Looking forward to being sensible and taking my time.

Kathie -- Can you offer your last name to use for referral at SJ or do they simply know you as Kathie? Also, the Anantara charges $50 for limo one-way from airport (I assume this is not per person), does that seem about right or would I be better off hiring from the airport? Thanks.

Virgo, You are welcome to use my full name at SJ, Kathie Larsen. Like I say, I don't know that they will remember who I am, but they do always recognize me when I arrive!

US$50 was what I paid for a transfer (2 people) from the CR airport to the Anantara. I'd do it again. It's a long drive, and they had large, comfortable cars and knew where they were going!

Kathie, thanks for the grat info. A friend had recommended SJ Jewelers to us. We plan to stop there. Did you have to match stones for the earing jacket? That was a big difference. Also do you know the address of the discount Jim Thompson House that carries the clothing?

Kathie -- Thanks for the info. I'll post back when I return.

cwn, Yes, SJ did match the stones in the earring jacket. They really did a great job... and for such a good price.

I don't have the address of the Jim Thompson Outlet with the clothing. All of the Jim Thompson stores have cards with all of the addresses on them. Also, if you do a search on this site, you'll probably find the address.

The JT outlet which carries clothes is Sukhumvit Soi 93. Closest BTS stop is On Nut, from there u will prob have to cab i tho is not far. No good trial room facilities so one option is go to the big JT at Silom, figure out your size in various things then go to the outlet.

I noticed that SJ International Jewelers has a website. It is http://www.sjjewelry.com/.

Best Regards,

Vic

Kathie, the jewelry on the SJ Jewelers website looked really beautiful and well-designed. I don't know very much about jewelry but the prices seemed high - close to $1000 or more for a lovely 18K gold bangle braceletwith just a few small rubies. Are the prices at the store in BKK much better than on their website?

I tried to find the 18k bangle "with just a few rubies" on the website. I found an 18K bangle with over 6 carats of rubies (about $1000), and another bracelet with 3 carats of rubies for $800, so I'm not sure what you are looking at. I would say from my experience that the prices are lower at the store (and you can bargain). Nonetheless, do some price comparisons between the US and the SJ site. I would think you would be hard pressed to find a bracelet comparable to the 18k bangle with over 6 carats of rubies for less than 2-3x the listed SJ price. I can usually buy jewelry at SJ for about one fourth of the US retail price.

I always recommend that people price shop in the US before buying jewelry in Bangkok (or anywhere else, for that matter). You also need to learn how to recognize high quality stones. Ask your jeweler to show you really good rubies and sapphires (the best buys in Bangkok).

Kathie:
When you say you can buy at 1/4 the US price in Bangkok are you talking about the full retail US price or the usual 50-75% discount that one should expect to pay at most stores in the US.

TTTTTT

Bill, I am talking about a "real" retail price, as opposed to the huge markups the mall jewelry stores make in order to have their "sales." The comparison I make is actually with the US wholesale price (I know some people in the jewelry business), and I can get things for half of the US wholesale price. "Real" retail price is typically double the wholesale price.

Is that thoroughly confusing?

Got it- yes then on that basis you are getting great deals in Bangkok!