where to buy gems in bkk
 

where would You recommend for first time buyers , My inlaws would like to buy a sapphire ring.love Your ideas.Thanks Crewe

I have posted many times about my jeweler in Bangkok, SJ International. I've been using them for the last 20 years: SJ International, 125/8 Sawankhalok Road, Dusit, Bangkok, phone 02-2342446, 02-2342447, 02-2411875

Call them and they will pick you up at your hotel and return you to your hotel after your shopping.

Two things are good "insurance" in buying jewelry in Bangkok (or anywhere else in the world).

1. Go to a reputable jeweler.

2. Know something about the kind of jewelry you want to buy. Know what you're looking for, but also know what the best quality gems look like. Visit a very good jeweler in your area, and ask to see pieces similar to what you want to buy. Look at the stone through a jeweler's loupe, ask questions about color, cut, construction of the ring or other piece of jewelry.

My rule of thumb is that I should be able to buy a piece of jewelry in Bangkok for one fourth of the price in the US. I no longer have to bargain at my jeweler to get that price.

If you tell them that "Kathie from Seattle" sent you, you'll get the best price. Ask for Lily. If she isn't there, someone else can help you.

Thank You Kathie,I must have missed that one ,I have read most of Your comments,and intend to put them to work when We get to bkk.Crewe.

I highly recommend Karat Jewelers. They have 2 or 3 stores, one of which is in the Siam Paragon shopping center. Several years ago, we hosted the daughter of this 5th generation jewelry family when she attended the Gem Institute in Los Angeles (after having earned a M.B.A. at American University in Washington, D.C.). We have just returned from visiting her family there again and the shop is gorgeous. They are extremely reliable and have beautiful merchandise.

Earlier this year, on Kathie's recommendation, I visited SJ to buy a ring fro my wife for our 10th wedding anniversary. We decided upon a 3.5 carat yellow saphire (baquette cut) and white gold solitaire ring. Upon returning to London we had it independently values at approx. 3.5 what we had paid!
Thanks Kathie, excellent recommendation!

we have used thai stone jewelry in the very grotty nana hotel on soi 4, sukhumvit rd....its about 1/2 block off of sukhumvit rd on the right, at the nana skytrain station...

the shop is small and family run...we have been doing business there with ms porn for over 10 years....they are fair and honest we feel....

tell them bob and karen sent you...