Jewellery

[jmcanada]

I am just trying to find a good place to buy Jewellery in Thailand (Example Wedding Ring.) My concern is I have been to an ISO shop thanks to a boring day and a taxi driver needing a gas coupon. Seems a little shady to buy from the ISO when they comp. the cabbies this way. I am also un-sure of the GOLD shops all thai girls seem to love.

Any kind of feedback would be appreciated.

[stoneman]

I am just trying to find a good place to buy Jewellery in Thailand (Example Wedding Ring.) My concern is I have been to an ISO shop thanks to a boring day and a taxi driver needing a gas coupon. Seems a little shady to buy from the ISO when they comp. the cabbies this way. I am also un-sure of the GOLD shops all thai girls seem to love.

Any kind of feedback would be appreciated.

I have been in the export jewelry business in Thailand for the past 10 years...My advice...Save your money...And when you get home, buy it from your local jeweler...

Stoneman

[makavelithedon]

Have to agree. Your covered by intelligent consumer protection laws in the west.

In regard the Thai gold shops they're completely different. Nothing shady about them. They sell mostly 22-24 k gold, most all clearly show the daily price paid for trading gold too! And you should know if Bar girls go there it has to be legit when it comes to Thai girls gold and money after all.............

The ISO places you talk about are a completely different ball game. On the whole they sell low quality gems at what they can get away with charging. Engagement ring-( diamonds I presume) even if certified are not cheap here unless your after small stones then there wouldn't be much in it anywhere in the world. They import all their stones and are definetly not a good place to buy diamonds IMO. They all play the high turnover of tourist numbers game and sell to or con the ignorant. There's a huge fallout over this at the moment and even trade/trade rip offs too numerous to mention which has left the jewellery trade in crisis here (heart bleeds) and I think a shake up is on the cards with government intervention!

Until then, if you don't mind the trip Malaysia sells some solid items with full dislosure at more reasonable prices than the west. Then they pretty much sell everything the same way at 30-50% less than Thailand or the west!

You still have to be careful but if your not a muppet you will find items at a fair price, which is all you can ask.

Mak

Edited March 4, 2008 by makavelithedon

[naka]

Thai gold from "Gold Shops" is fairly safe in terms of the gold quality but

in terms of workmanship it's just trash.

Naka.

[Samuian]

Thai gold from "Gold Shops" is fairly safe in terms of the gold quality but

in terms of workmanship it's just trash.

As much as "native" handicrafts can be labeled "trash"!

In Yaowarat - Chinatown - Bangkok you'll find the best Quality and Variety, so in the MBK (MahBoonKrongCenter)

Otherwise I would follow the advice of Post #2 buying in Malaysia and yes, CAREFULLY with Gemstones!

[dee123]

....I spent 15 odd years as a "diamond mounter" in Hatton Garden and know of quality jewellers in london who buy gems and such from Thailand but as just a shopper you are better off just buying the gold 22 carat. it is pretty stuff but the west work with 18 carat in general...but indian jewellery like best quality thai can be beautiful ....

[Spaniel]

The above posters certainly gave you good advice. If you're still not discouraged then I would like to suggest a visit to Nanta's Jewelry shop. She is located on Sukhumvit Road on the corner of Soi 18. She has been there for many years, I think as early as the 1960's.

[uptou]

I think the big problem for people buying ruby or sapphire jewelry is the widespread treatments of the gems,for instance the berylium treated stones which are everywhere in bangkok,which are heated,in the ovens with beryllium to unaturally give them colour,& they are worth a fraction of the heated only stones.These Be treated stones are sometimes difficult for experienced gemologists to tell the difference,& can only be 100% tested positive by expensive equipment in gem labs.These stones look pretty,& the average punter would be ignorant of it,which is all the better for the jeweler.

Then you have glass filled stones,in which fractures are filled with glass whilst heating.Flux fracture filled,like the former,but with flux,& many more treatments.

The only way i'd pay big money for gemstone jewelry in thailand,would be to get the gems checked out first in one of the good labs in bkk.

[makavelithedon]

I think the big problem for people buying ruby or sapphire jewelry is the widespread treatments of the gems,for instance the berylium treated stones which are everywhere in bangkok,which are heated,in the ovens with beryllium to unaturally give them colour,& they are worth a fraction of the heated only stones.These Be treated stones are sometimes difficult for experienced gemologists to tell the difference,& can only be 100% tested positive by expensive equipment in gem labs.These stones look pretty,& the average punter would be ignorant of it,which is all the better for the jeweler.

Then you have glass filled stones,in which fractures are filled with glass whilst heating.Flux fracture filled,like the former,but with flux,& many more treatments.

The only way i'd pay big money for gemstone jewelry in thailand,would be to get the gems checked out first in one of the good labs in bkk.

Uptou, whilst I agree with you , how many people are actually buying those kinds of stones? 95% or more of the market is heat treated for normal mortals who can't afford the $8000+ per carat a top ruby would cost! Most who can either own half of Bangkok and know people or will be shopping at Tiffany's stores and the like!

Most of the treatments you mention are perfectly accepted and used throughout the world, the problem is the disclosure issue which is virtually non-existant here. I hope some good comes out of the recent fall out but with Thailand's unhealthy obsession with only money and little else it may take some time and arm twisting to get anything on statute that looks remotely ethical!

I'd forget the place altogether OP let the gem trade here fall on there arse they deserve it 100%.

Edited March 5, 2008 by makavelithedon

[uptou]

I agree with your points aswell Maca,& think that most people just want to show off there gemstone rings at parties,& dont get into conversations about this or that treatment.

The disclosure thing is the main point,& i wouldn't be surprised if a lot of jewelers on silom dont know,or care exactly what treatments the gems/jewelry that they are selling have undergone,as long as they are good on colour & clarity & were cheap.

I suppose its only when you learn abit about gems,that you start thinking about the fact that the rubies & sapphires in a store window were possibly a horrible brown colour when they came out of the ground.

[jmcanada]

OK so I am a little torn a lot of people telling me thai stuff seems to be junk.

A few saying go to Malaysia SO WHERE IN MALAYSIA and any good flight thoughts from Thailand ?

The ring is for my wife, and is not a surprise so she will be there to help pick it.

I appreciate everyones feedback and any more feedback would be good I cannot imagine that there are not some really good jewellers in Thailand since it is known for its gems.

Thanks again

[Pepe']

Thai gold from "Gold Shops" is fairly safe in terms of the gold quality but

in terms of workmanship it's just trash.

Naka.

------------------------------

That is generally true. However I have had some very nice custom gold smithing but it was done by a Chinese gentleman...

[PadThaiGuy]

OK so I am a little torn a lot of people telling me thai stuff seems to be junk.

A few saying go to Malaysia SO WHERE IN MALAYSIA and any good flight thoughts from Thailand ?

The ring is for my wife, and is not a surprise so she will be there to help pick it.

I appreciate everyones feedback and any more feedback would be good I cannot imagine that there are not some really good jewellers in Thailand since it is known for its gems.

Thanks again

No, Thailand is known for Gem Scams.

http://www.google.co.th/search?hl=en&q=gem+scam&meta=

Unless you are a Gem expert, stick with buying Thai Gold (by weight) at a well known shop.

[Pepe']

PTG is correct 100%

My ex brother in law from the UK was involved in gem business.

Seems that one of the biggest concerns were the barillium heat treated sapphires, very controversial...

[makavelithedon]

OK so I am a little torn a lot of people telling me thai stuff seems to be junk.

A few saying go to Malaysia SO WHERE IN MALAYSIA and any good flight thoughts from Thailand ?

The ring is for my wife, and is not a surprise so she will be there to help pick it.

I appreciate everyones feedback and any more feedback would be good I cannot imagine that there are not some really good jewellers in Thailand since it is known for its gems.

Thanks again

If you can be a little more specific on what you want approximate- size, quality etc I'm sure a few people here can give you some more specific advice. It's not that you cannot get quality here it just rarely comes at a competitive price when related to Hong Kong, Malaysia etc and honesty is well down the list, so although there are no doubt some honest dealers they're more the exception than the rule!

You would also have to consider the flight costs etc. Well worth the trip for say a 1+ carat quality diamond, but if it's a 20,000 baht ring then you'd be better off in a local mall and paying a little over! Like I said all depends on what your after!

Edited March 6, 2008 by makavelithedon

[lopburi3]

If you are looking for diamond type wedding/engagement rings there is a short road in Chinatown that has a number of reliable shops that have been selling as family business for many decades; one street West of Old Siam Shopping Plaza in the Ban Mar area. This street/area is well known for electronics also.