Will be in Florence in late May from Sat afternoon until Monday morning. When do the shops on the Ponte Vecchio close on Sat. and whether they are open on Sunday. Thanks for info regarding this.

According to Fodors (for Florence in general):
" Shops are generally open 9-1 and 3:30-7:30 and are closed Sunday and Monday morning most of the year. Summer (June-September) hours are usually 9-1 and 4-8, and some shops close Saturday afternoon instead of Monday morning. "

It sounds like you should head straight there on Saturday.

The shops on the Ponte Vecchio cater primarily to tourists and the last time I was in Florence they were open all day and into the evening every day including Sunday. (The shops in the rest of Florence were not - althought others in the tourist area did not seem to close at lunch hour)

in 1998 i bought a gold necklace at a store on the ponte vecchio bridge where i had been told all jewelry was high quality. 2 weeks after returning home it discolored.it took almost a year and finally a call to the ceo office of amex and threats to cancel my card to get charge off my card. the only reason they finally relented was that i told them i would never pay and that i had perfect credit and i would dispute any attempt to smear me with the credit bureaus. BUY JEWELRY AT HOME FROM A RESPECTED SHOP. YOUR CC COMPANY WILL NOT PROTECT YOU FROM FOREIGN VENDORS.THE NECKLACE I PURCHASED WAS APPROX $900.00

I also got dupped on the Ponte Vecchio. I thought the bracelet I bought was solid, but it was hollow inside (think of a drinking straw). Live and learn.

On jewelry topic : i saw a great piaget watch in switzerland and got there best quote. when i came back to u.s. i purchased the same exact watch made in switzerland for 35% less.

Have bought several pieces of jewelry in Florence (although none on the Ponte Vecchio) and each was exactly what it purported to be. And one necklace - lapis - was worth much more in New York than I paid in florence (quality you can;t get here). I think the key is to know what you are looking for and what is a reasonable price.