would like to hear from persons with experience buying a diamond engagement ring in bangkok, i.e. recommend a good place, what's a good price range, warnings, etc. Been looking in the malls around bangkok so far... tnx!

would like to hear from persons with experience buying a diamond engagement ring in bangkok, i.e. recommend a good place, what's a good price range, warnings, etc. Been looking in the malls around bangkok so far... tnx!

Well I am in Pattaya and have bought my lady a couple of diamond rings, from a lady in Carrefour Mall, I don't make a habit of buying diamond rings in England, (well you know we have 9ct gold there, gives a clue!) but both the rings I bought I thought looked like great value and sparkle in the lowest light unlike those you usually see in England! The lady often has promotions when there is 50% off (the right price!) So now we always have a look at her stuff and are a bit pally with her. I say this as a way to start forming a business realtionship with someone who if you were not born yesterday is unlikely to rip you off because they have some (or a lot of) professional pride. This particular lady puts together all her own jewellry she showed us the blanks and the bags of diamonds etc.

One ring has about 30 small cut diamonds in about five rows that we paid 15,000bht for and the second was a kind of spiral with about 7 bigger diamonds on it which after hard bargaining we also got for 15k.

Remember a lot of the that the extra value you can achieve in Thailand is in the buying of small cut diamonds because in the west they are too expensive to cut, value for value so by going for multiple small diamonds instead of say a straight one carat job you will achieve better value and get a more unique piece, I have pictures of these rings if you want to see them PM me your email address.

would like to hear from persons with experience buying a diamond engagement ring in bangkok, i.e. recommend a good place, what's a good price range, warnings, etc. Been looking in the malls around bangkok so far... tnx!

I have had very good experiences with a chinese run shop called "Nole" in World Trade Center (3rd or 4th floor).

would like to hear from persons with experience buying a diamond engagement ring in bangkok, i.e. recommend a good place, what's a good price range, warnings, etc. Been looking in the malls around bangkok so far... tnx!

I too am going to be purchasing a ring in the very near future. I have a related question:

How does one deal with the fitting issue if you want to present the ring as a surprise? Can you make arrangements to bring back the ring at most shops to exchange it for one that fits properly?

Thanks,

Ring Ignorrant

Spacebass,

If and when you return to Farangland, perhaps you could get those diamonds graded and the rings valued and report the results back to this thread.

Whilst I don't doubt that you are happy with your purchase, I am wary of any jeweller who sells diamonds at a 50% discount.

If you are not returning to Farangland, perhaps you could find a second hand dealer in Pattaya who sells jewellery and have him tell you what he would be prepared to give you for them.

I'd be interested in the answer.

I too am going to be purchasing a ring in the very near future. I have a related question:

How does one deal with the fitting issue if you want to present the ring as a surprise? Can you make arrangements to bring back the ring at most shops to exchange it for one that fits properly?

All jewellers can and will adjust the finger size. In Thailand the cost is very cheap and some will do it whilst you wait.

If it is a one stone ring, it is an easy job. If a multi-stone ring, resizing may affect the settings of some of the stones (depending on the settings) but a competent jeweller will be able to accurately advise you.

What if his loved one does not like the ring itself? He will be in a bit of a pickle then!

As in all things in life, there are diamonds and there are diamonds, and the price varies according to the standard of the stone - in particular, it's clarity. All diamonds are classified according to their clarity . . . usually by a letter. The closer to A the letter is, the better the quality. A one carat stone in a high quality category such as C or D is usually 99% clear and can cost six figures. A similar sized stone of lower quality . . . G, H etc is less clear and can be a third of the price.

Only buy stones with an accompanying certificate of grade; usually backed by a diamond council in belgium or somewhere similar. If you don't you have no idea what you're paying.

I, too, would be weary of anyone selling diamonds at 50% discount . it suggest as lower quality stone.

But, if you like it, that's all that matters.

Stick with the reputable retailers. You can't go wrong.

I too am going to be purchasing a ring in the very near future. I have a related question:

How does one deal with the fitting issue if you want to present the ring as a surprise? Can you make arrangements to bring back the ring at most shops to exchange it for one that fits properly?

Thanks,

Ring Ignorrant

I bought one at the world trade center (different name now). I went to several there, the guy I decided on took me through a mini dimond class. showed me the different rocks under a special light and you could see the color go from white to yellow. I learned more about dimonds that day than I ever knew before.

And as far as size I put one of her rings on my finger and mark where it stops. She would know if I asked for her size but over the years I know all the sizes now