Reputable gem vendors in bangkok, Thailand

[badabling]

I'm going to Thailand for a week at the end of this month and I'm interested in buying a red Burmese spinel or a Burmese ruby. Does anyone know of reputable gem vendors in bangkok. I've heard enough about scams in Thailand to stay away from tuk tuk/taxi driver recommended stores.

 

[SB621]

I have spent several weeks in Bangkok and their are jeweler stores everywhere. I can't say if they are reputable or not. If you go on any tours at all they ALL end in a jeweler store with a sales pitch. With that said I went before I discovered PS and I bought a 1ct ruby from Gems Gallery International. It came with a store appraisal signed by a GIA gemologist, but that doesn't really mean anything (now that I have found PS I never would have done that purchase). I would say go check out a bunch of places and if they offer reports (which many did) then ask for it. I wouldn't buy anything without a report though- from a place you recongized. I know at our hotel we just told the front desk person we wanted to go check out jeweler stores. They stores actually sent cars to come pick us up to go shopping.

Also just a word of caution- my friend who also went to Bangkok bought a ruby too with a report from a lab I never heard of. She then sent it into AGL when she was back stateside...yup the ruby ended up being a spinel. So be careful and educate yourself on what labs they use. You might want to ask the front desk place for names then look them up online to see what they are associated too. There is a Thailand version of the BBB (cant' remember the name) and I always try to go to stores that are affliated.

Sorry I have to run off to meetings. Goodluck and enjoy your trip!!!! We loved our time spent in Thailand! Do the night market- so much fun!

 

[chrono]

I was just there a few weeks ago and browsed the usual guide recommended stores. Nothing caught my eye as fine quality and even the few that did, none could provide proof / verification of treatment. There are good vendors in Thailand but I'm not sure if they have a store front.

 

[badabling]

I was just there a few weeks ago and browsed the usual guide recommended stores. Nothing caught my eye as fine quality and even the few that did, none could provide proof / verification of treatment. There are good vendors in Thailand but I'm not sure if they have a store front.

Have you heard of Johnny's gems in Chinatown? I read somewhere online that this is a reputable place. Thank you for your reply. I visit Thailand quite frequently but never bought anything there inspire of going to a numerous jewelry stores around Silom. I do have a jeweler there that usually custom makes me jewelry but she always recommends I buy my diamonds in India. She only does the settings for me.

I have spent several weeks in Bangkok and their are jeweler stores everywhere. I can't say if they are reputable or not. If you go on any tours at all they ALL end in a jeweler store with a sales pitch. With that said I went before I discovered PS and I bought a 1ct ruby from Gems Gallery International. It came with a store appraisal signed by a GIA gemologist, but that doesn't really mean anything (now that I have found PS I never would have done that purchase). I would say go check out a bunch of places and if they offer reports (which many did) then ask for it. I wouldn't buy anything without a report though- from a place you recongized. I know at our hotel we just told the front desk person we wanted to go check out jeweler stores. They stores actually sent cars to come pick us up to go shopping.

Also just a word of caution- my friend who also went to Bangkok bought a ruby too with a report from a lab I never heard of. She then sent it into AGL when she was back stateside...yup the ruby ended up being a spinel. So be careful and educate yourself on what labs they use. You might want to ask the front desk place for names then look them up online to see what they are associated too. There is a Thailand version of the BBB (cant' remember the name) and I always try to go to stores that are affliated.

Sorry I have to run off to meetings. Goodluck and enjoy your trip!!!! We loved our time spent in Thailand! Do the night market- so much fun!

Thank you for taking the time to respond! Which labs should I look out for? Is there one that more reputable than another? Are the Thai labs reputable?

 

[Edward Bristol]

Of course there are honest and trustworthy people in BKK.

However, truly good gems rarely go into the front shop window unless in those shops where you would pay more than you would online.

If somebody walks in a shop who has 'Tourist' written on his forehead chances are they will not show anything of value and you meet only sales people who have no clue.

You need to show the sales staff that you know what you are doing and have a wad of cash at hand and only then will they call the owner or somebody who also knows what he is doing and treat you as a serious customer.

See, they are flooded daily with Tourists who want to make a killing buying a cheap gem locally. The true business is done up the towers in secure offices that have no public access.

 

[crescentgems]

See, they are flooded daily with Tourists who want to make a killing buying a cheap gem locally. The true business is done up the towers in secure offices that have no public access.

yes, very true