Buying jewellery in Bangkok or Vietnam
Replies: 10 - Last Post: Oct 19, 2009 1:30 AM Last Post By: philinvietnam
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Buying jewellery in Bangkok or Vietnam
I'm travelling around Vietnam soon and also visiting Bangkok. I've been before and am aware of the jewellery scams and the tarnished reputation of jewellery sellers in Bangkok especially, but I wondered if there are some places that are legit?I'd like to buy a silver ring with gems as a gift and wondered if anyone could recommend a shop or area, either in Bangkok or Vietnam. I don't want to buy tat, but I'm not loaded either - really, I just don't want to risk spending money on something worthless. I'm not looking to sell items on btw. Thanks.
3
I am a huge jewelry fan and haven't seen much spectacular silver jewelry since my trip to Chiang Mai 17 years ago...Not many gems will be set in silver, rather more expensive metals like 14, 18, or 22kt gold. Gold is the metal of choice all over Asia (with the exception of Japan) and if you're interested in lovely gold jewelry you can head to MBK, Chinatown or any department store to view a great selection.5
I lived in Bangkok for several years and during that time did a short course with the Gem and Jewellery Institute of Thailand.They highly recommended:
Lambert Holdings,
807 4Th Floor,
Silom Shianghai Building,
Silom Road
10500 Bangrak
Bangkok
I have had dealings with these people several times over the past few years, even from Australia, and have found them to be extremely honest and reliable.
They have an enormous selection of gems and speak good English, too. You can draw the design you want and they'll make it up, or else you can choose from things already made up or designs from books.
If you get them to make something up for you, they'll post it to you in your home country in packaging marked "legal documents" and you'll pay no import tax, and yes, the package really does arrive.
Good luck.
6
In Saigon opposite the Rex hotel there is a department store, on the ground floor there is lots of jewerley stores,Have bought there a couple of times and found them very good value
7
In Bangkok, there are several that have had many good reports.SJ International
125/8 Sawankhalok Road, Dusit, Bangkok 10300, Thailand
Tel : 66-2-2432446, 66-2-2411875, 66-2-6686967
Fax : 66-2-6683733, 66-2-2431635
Email : webmaster@sjjewelry.com
Venus Jewelery
http://www.venus-thailand.com/
The store mentioned in #6 is Saigon Tax Center. Prices are a little high, but you can bargain with them. There are also several shops along Mac Thi Buoi in D1 that have a decent selection of Silver jewelry.
8
ok i imported silver from Thailand to the uk for 10 years.1. avoid MBk like the plague.
2. if its silver you want you need go no further than Khaosan road shops not stalls.
3. if you are only buying one ring don't worry too much. pay what you feel the ring is worth. whatever the outcome it will all be part of the story of how you got your ring.
there you go a couple of contradictions ;)
