Can I get some recommendations for reputable jewelers?

[MM 6,562]

I have a ring with diamonds that I'd like to have reset and made into another ring.

 

My concern is how to verify that the diamond I receive after the resetting is the same diamond I give to the jeweler.

 

I suppose I could get an assay on the diamonds in one shop and use that to compare against the diamond I receive back in the new setting..that's one approach to verify I received the correct stone back.

 

Alternatively, knowing of a legitimate, honest jeweler would help as well.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions for local jewelers who can do this work and are considered to be honest?

[statman208 41]

MM -- Yes, I'm 99.9% sure that SJ International Jewelers in Bangkok is reputable. I've been there several times and being in there feels the same as being in a good shop in the US (as opposed to the scam plances in Thailand).

 

I have a card with the number and address if you need it. They'll sand a van to pick you up at your hotel free if you want.

[ttk 236]

I have used the one right before walking street

[Chester007 175]

I have the same concern even in the city i'm from. the only way is to find out if your diamonds are marked by lazer, I'm not sure but all diamonds unless they are blood are lasered or marked in some way, just go to a jeweler and ask them to show you or photo id your diamond markings ( don't tell them you want work done) then get your work done. Go to a different one and ask about the markings you know should be there.

The only way to lessen the odds of being switched is to stand and watch all process.

Edited November 13, 2015 by Chester007

[Gabor 296]

Give me the old ring... the trumpet copper also attractive and I will give you back a bigger diamond I will buy cheap on the beach from a burma refugee... OR... stay next to him and watch the process... They may make it fast, the jewellery shop on the corner of the Pattaya Tai and Beach Road ( etrance of the WS ) has their manufacture on the site... you can see the works even from the street...

Edited November 13, 2015 by Gabor

[MM 6,562]

Give me the old ring... the trumpet copper also attractive and I will give you back a bigger diamond I will buy cheap on the beach from a burma refugee... OR... stay next to him and watch the process... They may make it fast, the jewellery shop on the corner of the Pattaya Tai and Beach Road ( etrance of the WS ) has their manufacture on the site... you can see the works even from the street...

Eh? Sorry but I don't speak Gaborish tonight!

[laffnliv 78]

.....and so you get the work done, and then discover that the stones were switched. What do you do then? Make accusations? And the shop will deny, deny, deny. As a farang in Thailand what do you think will happen? (I know I am being negative and facetious, Martin,...but you know how it is.)

 

Little Roy

[MM 6,562]

.....and so you get the work done, and then discover that the stones were switched. What do you do then? Make accusations? And the shop will deny, deny, deny. As a farang in Thailand what do you think will happen? (I know I am being negative and facetious, Martin,...but you know how it is.)

 

Little Roy

Roy, why do you think I am asking recommendations for honest jewelers and methods of countering any monkey business?

 

Answer: to avoid the situation you just described.

[jacko 8,822]

Roy, why do you think I am asking recommendations for honest jewelers and methods of countering any monkey business?

 

Answer: to avoid the situation you just described.

You do right, I had a stone switched in Saudi Arabia. I never really checked at the time, you sort of don't expect things like that to happen in a country where they chop bits off for criminal behaviour.

[Gary 4,119]

If you don't have a loupe, buy one and when you get into the shop, pull it out and carefully look at your ring. Ask the jeweler if he can mount the diamond to show the best way. All diamonds have flaws that can often be hidden by the ring prongs. You don't have to know what you are doing. The jeweler will think that you do know.

[Regyai 415]

If you don't have a loupe, buy one and when you get into the shop, pull it out and carefully look at your ring. Ask the jeweler if he can mount the diamond to show the best way. All diamonds have flaws that can often be hidden by the ring prongs. You don't have to know what you are doing. The jeweler will think that you do know.

 

 

 

Or laugh up his sleeve as most jewellers do when confronted by a bluffster

[Regyai 415]

It is actually quite a difficult one

 

If the stones are a few carat weight and high grade they become viable for a swap out to a lesser grade stone.

 

 

At a lower level of scam they could just be swapped out for CZ's or other synthetics

 

 

The only prophylactic for the former (other than blind trust) is marked, assayed and certificated stones. And remember without markings all the papers in the world still only leave you in the 'he said, she said, yes it is, no it isnt' scenario in the event of problems

 

 

For the latter a simple electronic diamond tester cures them. Beep the diamonds in plain sight before you hand them over, & beep them again before accepting them back. These can be got on line, or with a bit of leg work in Yawoarat.

[laffnliv 78]

Yes, Martin, I understand you are looking for advice. But the advice may come from people who have been scammed but don't know it. Go slowly, my friend. I would trust a large chain jewelry store in the States before I would trust Thai "gemologist"...or whatever.

 

Little Roy

[fisherman194 702]

I come from a city that has a huge Jewelry quarter and is renowned for its many manufacturers and outlets.There are frequent auctions of Jewellery I from time to time buy items.A couple of years ago bought a cheapish saphire and diamond ring for my avatar lady,she being Thai took it to a "reputable" jeweller who told her it was not real.I had to demonstrate by scratching a glass with the diamond to prove it was real.I would be very wary of trusting jewellers in Pattaya.Do you not know someone that could take it back to the States or the UK who could take it and get the job done ?

[MM 6,562]

I come from a city that has a huge Jewelry quarter and is renowned for its many manufacturers and outlets.There are frequent auctions of Jewellery I from time to time buy items.A couple of years ago bought a cheapish saphire and diamond ring for my avatar lady,she being Thai took it to a "reputable" jeweller who told her it was not real.I had to demonstrate by scratching a glass with the diamond to prove it was real.I would be very wary of trusting jewellers in Pattaya.Do you not know someone that could take it back to the States or the UK who could take it and get the job done ?

I'm not that motivated that I'd have it sent out of the country.

 

I posted this query on FB and received some decent recommendations from someone who is in the jewelry business in BKK, so if/when I do this, I will work with him on it.

[Fatboyfat 361]

I was reading somewhere about a jeweller that often gives "sermons" at the "expats club". Jacko may know of him. He runs a business in Thailand, Black Star Jewellry, but I believe it is in Bangkok. I have enquired for a similar project at the Gems Gallery, but although probably safe and reputable, their prices were well beyond even LDOP level; and it was far more economical getting it done back in UK.