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Gem shopping in Chiang Mai

R

ringcat

Shiny_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 23, 2012
Messages
266
Hi all :wavey:
I am on my way to Chiang Mai. Was wondering if you could recommend any trusted Jewelers / gemstone dealers that you know of there. Would love to check out the gemstones available there.
Thank you
 
The Orchid jade factory is nice to have a look. :)
 
I love the food in Chiang Mai. That organic food restaurant was awesome, Seaglow!
 
You must stop by one of my good good buddies place in Chiang Mai.
His name is Ian Kalaway, and the shop is called
"1899 Fine gems & Jewelry" .
He hails from my neck of the woods, and I have known him for years now. He has been in Thailand for over 5 years now, and I couldn't recommend a better person to stop and see, if your visiting that part of the country. He is very reputable, and has an innate knowledge of the local, regional, and international gem and jewelry market.
For all the other Pricescopers reading this, I myself have ordered stones from him in the last year, so you don't need to be there, in person, to shop and see what they have.
Trust me, you would be wise to stop in and have a chat with him and/or see what they are working with.

Here is there facebook page...
https://www.facebook.com/1899gems/
Here is the google maps link below to help you it
https://www.google.co.th/maps/place...xbe5f2819416df587!8m2!3d18.79824!4d98.9672352
 
Caveat emptor....make sure you really know what you are doing. Once you get home there is no recourse. There is a new post regarding fake certicate reports in Bangkok.
 
Ooh thank you ladies, I will look those up and report back.
 
I think common sense helps in gem shopping. Such as knowing how much you are willing to pay for certain stones and doing a bit of research beforehand. I personally prefer buying them loose than set, to observe what flaws they have and they would be be easier to send to the labs as well for memos. Most stones always look better after placed in a setting.

Also, as my own jewellers keep telling me. Don't act too interested in the item I want. That will jack up the price or leave you little leeway to nego. They can smell interest and enthusiasm a mile away. Always be prepared to walk away too. Which I've flounced away in indignation many times in Yangon.

Here are a few more reviews I found. Generally I prefer lesser known places as I find that those with tourist reviews in Yangon are pretty mainstream and the wares don't live up to what I expected. Such as i was go ing for lesser known recs in my Bangkok thread too :)

But then again, these places are also where better English is spoken so that puts many tourists at ease. Last but not least and probably the most unscientific, I look at the face and go by the vibes I get from the seller or SA. I also withhold my knowledge of the gems to assess what they try and push.

A few more from TA. No harm popping by to get a sense of prices and stock available. The more you see and handle the more you know.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attract...Chiang_Mai-San_Kamphaeng.html#travelerReviews

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUse...2395806-Shiraz_Jewelry_Co_Ltd-Chiang_Mai.html
 
Thank you @Burmesedaze and @Seaglow
I will aim to get to a couple of the places mentioned above. Can I ask which organic restaurant you mention above?
 
@Burmesedaze thank you for the buying advice above. I needed to read it.
 
Barrett said:
You must stop by one of my good good buddies place in Chiang Mai.
His name is Ian Kalaway, and the shop is called
"1899 Fine gems & Jewelry" .
He hails from my neck of the woods, and I have known him for years now. He has been in Thailand for over 5 years now, and I couldn't recommend a better person to stop and see, if your visiting that part of the country. He is very reputable, and has an innate knowledge of the local, regional, and international gem and jewelry market.
For all the other Pricescopers reading this, I myself have ordered stones from him in the last year, so you don't need to be there, in person, to shop and see what they have.
Trust me, you would be wise to stop in and have a chat with him and/or see what they are working with.

Here is there facebook page...
https://www.facebook.com/1899gems/
Here is the google maps link below to help you it
https://www.google.co.th/maps/place...xbe5f2819416df587!8m2!3d18.79824!4d98.9672352
Click to expand...
Thank you @Barrett
Good to know that I can get some help with buying even if I miss the opportunity this trip. Aiming to stop in and have a chat :)
 
Seaglow said:
Better than the massage? :)
Click to expand...

Food+massage. That's a perfect combi. That was seriously amazeballs. Better than any I've had in Bangkok!
 
My friend booked a table for us at Mercado in Bangkok. 2 months in advance. Do try it when you are next in Bangkok and would like a break from the delish local food.

http://elmercadobangkok.com
 
I will make sure Ian knows your probably going to swing by.....I would highly recommend you do! Trust me. You'll find things to be more on your level. He should give you a "Pricescope discount", since the average buyer posting on here is usually a gem addict, and typically spends more on stones than the average consumer. The folks on here usually have a greater set of criteria that must be met, before they "pull the trigger", and purchase a stone.
Ian, and his "1899 Fine Gems" business, is the place to go if you want to be amongst friends. They provide lab reports, if needed, or they come with certain stones already, of course.
Some of the stones he showed me not that long ago were some of the best gem silica I have ever seen.......
I did a post about it here on PS, I think.
Since he moved to Thailand over 5 years ago, I have watched him grow into the trade, and make a significant investment with his time and money, so that he could turn it, and him, into something that has already made it's mark on the Rock, Gem and Jewel industry.
You can do what you like though.....what I do know is that my dealings and purchases will continue with them for a very time, not that I buy much of anything these days....lol
 
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