How and Where To Buy Gemstones in Bangkok? Impress Thai Women With The Finest Jewelry

Thailand, especially in Bangkok, is one of the best places in the world to buy gemstones.

In Bangkok, you’ll find a lot of sellers and wholesale dealers offering a variety of rare and high-quality choices, including Thailand’s blue and black sapphires.

However, if it’s your first time buying precious gems, there are a few things you need to know to get the best options and avoid scams.

Here is a guide on reliable places where you can buy authentic gemstones in Bangkok and important tips to remember while shopping.

Get ready to impress your Thai date with the best jewelry in Thailand.

Read on to know more!

What Makes Bangkok A Great Place To Buy Gems? 

It’s easy to buy quality gems in Thailand.

All kinds of gemstones have been traded and processed here since the 15th century. That’s why Bangkok became internationally known as the “Gem Capital of the World”.

Its accessibility and affordability grew the jewelry industry in the city and made it one of the best places in the world to buy gems.

You can easily find popular ones such as ruby and emeralds. There is also the blue and black sapphire, which you can only find in Central Thailand.

Due to the important gem and jewelry industry in the country, you’ll have no difficulty finding places that process and sell gems in different neighborhoods of Bangkok.

Let’s dig deeper into where to purchase these amazing products.

Best Places To Buy Gems in Bangkok

Silom

Silom may be infamous for being one of the red light districts in Bangkok, but it’s also a hotspot for jewelry stores.

A notable store that you should visit here is the Jewelry Trade Center (JTC). It’s the largest center for selling and distributing jewelry from around the globe.

Here, you can purchase several precious and semi-precious gemstones ranging from sapphires and rubies to premium gold and silver accessories like necklaces, bracelets, etc.

There are also many retail and wholesale shops along the road that you can explore afterwards. D.D. Gems and Lambert Gems are some prime examples.

Lambert Gems has been in the business for 40 years. They take pride in their expert gem-cutting services that result in beautiful jewelries. A popular product of theirs is the tourmaline green gemstone.

Mahesak Road

Not too far from Silom is Mahesak Road, also known as the gemstone street. There are many exporters and wholesalers in this area.

Whether you want to purchase it as is or you want to use the mineral stones to make jewelry, there are plenty of choices here, especially for colored gemstones.

This is ideal for those who are looking for a specific type of gem or for a specific use.

The Warner Building and the Executive House Building are a must-visit for authentic imported and Thai gemstones.

The GemMatrix shop is also worth checking out.

They have premium single and calibrated gemstones from all over the world, and in particular from places like Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Madagascar, and more.

They specialize in colored gems such as rubies, spinels, tanzanites, etc.

With most gems you shop there you can choose its type of shape & cut (asher, cushion, or oval), treatment (heated or unheated), and have the proper certification.

Bangrak

Looking for a gemstone manufacturer in Bangkok? Try walking around the charming neighborhood of Bangrak. 

This part of the old town along the riverside has a lot of manufacturers and sellers who do treatments and cutting of the gemstones.

This makes the mineral products more valuable and refined– enhancing their beauty.

There are a lot of reliable stores that you can visit, but World Gems Ltd. is a wonderful option, especially for ruby and blue sapphire ranging from one carat size and above.

What makes them stand out is that their gems are expertly cut to bring out its true appeal. On top of that, they are all examined carefully by certified gemologists in laboratories.

Wat Koh

Chinatown is filled with locals and tourists alike.

The assortment of gemstones you can find here is incredible, especially for those looking for semi-precious ones.

There is a place called Wat Koh (official name is Songwad Road) here that has what you’re searching for.

Garnets, amethysts, and cubic zirconia are some of the common ones.

However, if you walk further along, there are also reputable stores selling high-end gemstones in the district and along Charoen Krung Road.

An important thing to note at Wat Koh is that your negotiation skills should be sharp.

If you’re good enough or you have a local with you, you can walk away with tons of good deals for their stones.

They will go extremely well with the jewelry you will make.

Tips to Buy Gems in Bangkok

While Bangkok is filled with gemstone dealers, you still have to be extra careful about what you buy and where you buy them from.

First of all, the gemstones you buy might be fake. And, second, you might be charged a ridiculous amount. 

Here are 5 important tips to remember before purchasing these organic minerals:

Only go to trusted shops

Authentic reviews are important. Research first on where you should go or else you might get scammed.

Trust only those with good credentials like the ones listed here.

You can also check the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in Bangkok or the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS) if the shop you’re going to is registered there.

It may take some work to look up information and do some calls, but it is better than being scammed!

Watch out for fake gemstones

This type of scam is pretty predominant. You can avoid this by knowing the different types of gems and what makes them authentic.

For example, you can check if there are any inclusions (or minerals trapped inside the stone) using a magnifying glass.

If there are and it looks like bubbles, it is a cheap synthetic product. However, if it’s crystal-like, chances are they are real.

You can also check the difference of the gem under natural and artificial light. If it appears dull, it might be fake.

Lastly, you can do a heat test if you have the resources. Cheap synthetic melts, while real ones retain their solid shape.

Consider the authentication of a gemologist

In connection to the previous point, you can easily tell if the gemstone is authentic if you have it verified by an actual gemologist. 

If the dealer happily allows you to do so, it’s a good sign that it’s real.

However, if they don’t allow you to have it checked by a professional, that is a major red flag that should be a no-go.

Compare prices first

Next, be sure not to buy at the first store that you go to even if they sell authentic gemstones. Prices might differ because of a variety of factors.

Some might give you a “foreigner” price, and some might be honest and give you good deals.

It also boils down to your negotiation skills.

Knowing the worth of the item you are eyeing and having the right “sales talk” can land you a significant bargain.

Hire an independent consultant

Lastly, you can just hire an independent consultant to do all the work for you. Your consultant will find you the gemstone that you’re looking for in no time and assure you of its quality.

All you need to do is pay a certain amount, and you’ll go home with a special gemstone that meets your criteria.

Buy only at the best jewelry stores in Bangkok

The last and easiest option is to buy directly from a reputed directly.

The areas we cited above and the luxury shoppings malls in Bangkok are full of incredible jewelry where you can buy the best pieces with complete peace of mind.

Everything is sold with proper authentication and paperwork.

You might pay a premium compared to what you would pay if you buy the gems yourself and get the jewelry made, but at least you know what you get.

FAQ

Trust Only The Best When Buying Gemstones in Bangkok

Knowing where to buy and how to buy gemstones can be difficult, but its overall quality will be rewarding.

Now that you know where and how to buy gems in the city, it’s time to shop and surprise your Thai girlfriend with a gift that she’ll surely appreciate.

And if you don’t have a Thai girlfriend yet, learn why Thai women prefer foreigners and where to meet your future date.

Or jump directly on one of the top Thai dating apps.