Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Gold in Florence

Search

Gold in Florence

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 25th, 2006, 09:32 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Gold in Florence

We will be in Florence the end of May and I am wanting to pick up a souvenir gift from my 24 year old daughter. She mentioned she would like a gold necklace. A few people on this sight have said the shops on Ponte Vechio are cheap. Is this true? Should I be looking elsewhere for a gold necklace? Thank you for your help.
BobM is offline  
Old Apr 25th, 2006, 09:48 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 23,390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The shops on the Ponte Vecchio are by no means cheap. If you are making a substantial purchse, I would investigate other retail sources either in Florence or elsewhere. The worldwide price of gold is set daily; the differential is in the cost of the workmanship.
ekscrunchy is offline  
Old Apr 25th, 2006, 10:14 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hello BobM, according to my friends in Italy the jewelry shops on the Ponte Vecchio is not the best for buying gold jewelry. I have made some purchases at a jewelry store in Florence that was highly recommended but unfortantly I do not remember the name of it.

If you have time I would sugget you check out other stores as ekscrunchy suggest and compare their jewelry and prices to what you see in the stores lined up on the Ponte Vecchio..hopefully you will have enough time to do that.
LoveItaly is offline  
Old Apr 25th, 2006, 11:18 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,717
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There are very expensive shops with hand-crafted jewelry on the Ponte Vecchio as well as a few cheap ones with factory-made jewelry.

A guidebook that I trust suggests Ugo Piccini, Via Por S. Maria 9-11. It says prices are fair, service pleasant and that the gold chains, priced by weight, make excellent presents.
Eloise is offline  
Old Oct 4th, 2007, 04:20 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Go to Vaggi on the Ponte Vecchio. They are lovely people to deal with and the prices are negotiable and fair.
barbw is offline  
Old Oct 4th, 2007, 05:51 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You must haggle about the price.
It is almost a tradition.
It is a matter of finding something that you really like.
I was in Florence in May, and looking for a specific type of necklace.
(Several lightweight chains intertwined, with little balls or squares).
Not one to be had.
About a week later, walking in Como, I saw the exact chain that I have described.
So, just look in the windows, and don't accept the first price.
erly is offline  
Old Oct 4th, 2007, 05:54 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 36,794
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 11 Posts
Gold prices are very high now and with the lousy exchange rate, you aren't going to find any bargains in Italy.

I've sold jewelry for years and haven't seen any bargains on the Ponte Vecchio.
kybourbon is offline  
Old Oct 4th, 2007, 06:03 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I agree with the S.Vaggi recommendation. I have purchases several pieces of jewelry from them and found their prices to be very fair. They have 2 shops on the Ponte Vecchio.
http://www.vaggi.it/eng/main.html
cls2paris is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
amyi
Europe
18
Aug 25th, 2007 11:33 AM
tata823
Europe
17
Sep 11th, 2006 08:43 PM
myra53
Europe
10
May 12th, 2006 08:31 PM
staceyloren
Europe
19
Sep 16th, 2005 04:38 PM
justjean2001
Europe
5
Sep 26th, 2004 06:27 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -