Athens jeweler recommendations?
 

Brotherleelove or other Greece expert: My husband likes to buy jewelry for me to remind us of our travels. He has asked me to inquire if there is a jeweler in Athens that you would recommend for a gold ring or other small item that would be a good memento of our trip?
Thank you for your kind assistance! saige

I often buy myself jewelry on trips - if there is something unique that I really like and the price is good. I used to buy quitea bit in Italy - but no longer since prices are through the roof.

My favorite pieces are:

A replica of an Etruscan gold ring in the Pitti Palace that I bought from a jeweler near the palace (price at the time - about $100 - but this was many years ago

On the same trip I bought a long string of lapis beads - I think about $75 - and way more beautiful than any I had seen in NYC because they were local.

So I always try to look for something related to the area of the places I have been. Have you looked at the museums to see what pieces they are offering? That way you are guaranteed what you are getting.

Sorry, I have no experience with buying jewelry in Greece.

Ilias lalaounis--across from Attica Department Store, which is near Hotel Grand Bretagne/Syntagma Square in Athina.

There is also a shop in Rodos at the bottom of the Street of Knights.

He is the jeweller to the aristocracy.

Jackie Onassis and Princess Bibesco wore his jewellery.


Thin

We have purchased two rings at Byzantino jewelers. They specialize in reproductions of Byzantine jewelry from museums. My wife's 18 carrot
gold ring is beautiful and was appraised for insurance far over what we paid for it. Mind yuo that was several years ago before gold prices were so high.

Several years ago I bought a lovely mens ring at Lapis Jewellery in the Plaka. Here's their Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/LapisJewelleryAthens. At the time it didn't strike me as expensive. The silver ring I bought was less than 60 euro. It really depends what budget you're looking at.

My immediate thought also is Ilias Lalaounis. Their jewelry is based on historic designs but looks wonderful now (and did 30+ years ago when my mother bought hers.) Expensive but worth it.

Thank you all for your replies. We'll check them out.

nytraveler, we're not there yet. Next week I'll be looking at the museums shops and the jewelers mentioned here.

Saige

Agree with Pepper, Ilias Lalaounis, very high quality. Even has a museum.