I remember one of my trips to a huge gemstone factory in Chiang Mai, they had everything from loose stones, to all types of jewelry, at all prices to go along with them. I've was told by a local, that these places are for the tourist, as local Thai people don't go to these places for their jewelry.

Has anyone gotten good buys in Bangkok, with any such stores or wholesalers? Can you get good buys on a diamond engagement ring and not get ripped off?

Does the engagement ring have to be a diamond, or another gemstone?

Curious for some comments from anyone with such experience in Thailand..........

Interesting question Ed! I'll just sit and wait for the answers from our Thai friends...

ghee: i don't think you can get good prices here in hawaii, because of the limited places, maybe SF or NYC for wholsalers, might be the answer, however you always here that you can maybe get a better quality for the same prices in asia........however, their appraisals or certificates can be bogus also along with the lookalikes or fakes?

nicky:

women have the better eye and sense for such things.....us guys, as long as it sparkles and looks good, we could be buying a piece of glass, instead of an authentic gemstone.......also, i think it's better to have her along, when looking for such an item, so you can be sure that she really likes it? i remember a local thai telling me, that he was living in austrailia, and was making monies buying in thailand and selling them in austrailia?

when is the wedding? can i be best man?

Gems gallery is probably the place you visited (pattaya, chiang mai, etc.) it is the largest seller of product in the kingdom. largest, not the cheapest. but they tend to trade in real quality product, so i understand.

Don't be a cheapscape Ed you only get married once!!! (in theory anyway)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol lol lol!!!!!!!!!!

Does the engagement ring have to be a diamond, or another gemstone?

hmm.. I think depend about you and your lover. For me and my hubby we have only white gold from engagement till married So.. If you really love each other what's different?? (Oopps!! I forgot.. at less the diamond ring can sell after breakup ..hehehe )

nicky:

it's different, if you have your own jeweler and someone that you trust.......but not everyone has this confidence or experience.

my lady will not buy anything for herself with my monies.....in fact, i had to force her to buy a new purse for xmas......the thai saleslady would tell her to buy the purse and said to her "don't worry about the price, because you have someone to paid for it",........she said thanks to the saleslady, and walked out.........and then she told me what was said to her... lol

thoa:

my own personal opinion, is that diamonds are so common, looking at a nice piece of ruby or emerald, has more color to it......

pjack:

i think that name sounds familiar, and they said that any piece that was purchased from their stores, could alway be returned for an upgrade, with it's full purchased price to apply towards something else? are they located in bkk also?

can i be best man?

gems gallery has a website and i think the bkk one is on rama 6 near that end of soi ari

Eddie forget about the diamonds,put the gold band on her finger first then shop for the diamond,lol

Think ghee has the right idea.

good daimond good gold , silver should be the same price everywhere , thats world market

Afook

I brought a 1/2 carat diamond ring for myself on soi 8 and sulkumhvit forgot the name of the jeweral store name but i got a certificate and all. It was good and the sales lady spoke chinese to me. so felt good about buying it and she gave me good discount.

Diamonds are better than any stone when you have one on your finger you can feel the differnce. Now I know why women loves diamonds.

I am so happy that I have a diamond ring on my finger

king:

i would probably get an apprasial for it here, and see if it was worth the price you paid over there? i don't really care for diamonds myself, i think they're too common......

I did get apprasial here and the diamond is worth more here.

Ed, A few years Back I bought a 1krt, at a Store in the Siam Paragon, But forgot the name? But there are many Jewelry stores there! We talked the price down after going in the store a few times, they started out at 210,000 and I think I ended up paying 185,000, It was a Belgium Diamond, You can tell they are real as most Diamonds now days have a serial number inside the Diamond , they told me they put it in there with a laser, I checked the internet prices, I think I saved about $500.00 or so? Good luck!

Personally I find blue sapphires more interesting than diamonds. But the blue sapphire alone doesn't shine, so it's always made togehter with diamonds. Might be an interesting choice than just plain diamond.

I never have any of those pricey accessories, so I don't have anywhere to recommend.

gemstones as with all other items of clothing will be in and out of vogue depending on the colour- and as with all other items of clothing- white will go with anything so stick with the diamond. single stones will keep their value more than an intricately set cluster. but at the end of the day you should always check what the wearer likes before making any purchases!! and as previously stated try to avoid conflict diamonds where possible!!

thanks guys...........