Thanks to new processing techniques, semi-precious stones such as amethyst, tourmaline and pink quartz have moved from costume jewelry to become upmarket gems. With improvements in silver quality, the metal once used mainly for ethnic and costume pieces is now considered a high-end material, even suitable for setting with diamonds.
Bangkok is the hub for the latest jewelry trends. Some of the best jewelry is found in Bangkok's Peninsula Plaza shopping mall, five star hotels and numerous Chinese family owned jewelry shops. Some shops will work to your own specification, Uthai's Gems in Bangkok and Shiraz in Chiang Mai.
With the advent of the Jewel Fest Club, a non-profit organization set up by Tourism Authority of Thailand and The Thai Gem & Jewelry Traders Association, customers can rest assured of a store's reliability and quality. JFC sets merchandise standards and reasonable prices for customers. Anyone who buy from members displaying the JFC logo can be assured of a money-back guarantee if they're not satisfied with their purchase.
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