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If you're considering purchasing a 0.50 carat, 1 carat or 2 carat diamond ring in Thailand, you're probably wondering how much it will cost. Understanding the price range is essential for making an informed decision. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the factors that influence the price of a diamond ring.

Before diving deep into the price lists below, a common question people ask is if it is cheaper to buy a diamond ring in Bangkok compared to anywhere in the world? This question has been answered by other popular blog articles - Where and how to buy diamonds in Bangkok, Thailand? Or Where to buy the cheapest diamond in Bangkok, Thailand?

Before understanding how much a diamond costs first we have understand the basic 4Cs which I have summarized below.

Diamond Quality (4Cs)

The price of a diamond is significantly influenced by its quality, often assessed using the 4Cs: Carat, Cut, Color, and Clarity.

Carat: This measures the diamond's weight. 1 carat = 0.20 grams. Larger the carat weight the higher the price.

Cut: A well-cut diamond reflects light beautifully, enhancing its sparkle and value. We gemologists call this as Fire, Brilliance & Scintillation of a diamond

Color: Diamonds range from colorless to light yellow. Colorless diamonds are considered more rare and thus more expensive.

Clarity: This refers to the presence of internal or external flaws. The fewer the flaws, the higher the value. Also type of inclusions, where they are located affects the price of the diamond

Please note, when compiling these tables I made the following assumptions. If you decide to change any of these assumptions prices will change accordingly.

Only Round Brilliant Diamond prices are provided below. For fancy cut diamonds, there is a different price list and in general the price is lower than equivalent size round brilliant.

CUT, POLISH, SYMMETRY GRADE

All the diamonds in this list are what we call in the trade Triple Excellent Cut Grade. That means excellent cut, excellent polish, and excellent symmetry . If a "Very Good" grade or lower grades are acceptable this will drop the price down from 5% to 10% (on average).

All diamonds are either graded & certified by GIA or AIGS. If you are planning to purchase an HRD, IGI, EGL, or no certificate diamond this will reduce the price drastically.

FLUORESCENCE

All diamonds in the list below are either none or no fluorescence. If fluorescence is acceptable like Faint, Medium, Strong, or Very Strong, this will 'generally' reduce the price of the diamond.

The reason diamond dealers sell fluorescence diamonds with 'larger discounts' compared to none fluorescence diamonds is because sometimes the fluorescence makes the diamond look milky or cloudy. However, this phenomenon is rare and occurs only 0.2% of the time. Because of this misconception, these diamonds are usually sold at a discount.

NO BGM (NO Brown, Green or Milky Shade)

In the trade, diamonds that have brown, green, or milky color shades are considered inferior and sold at a discount.

Generally lower color diamonds - G or lower will have a slight yellow tinge. However, they sometimes have brown or green color tinge, which traders consider as a 'negative' trait as it is undesirable among the consumers.

Also, milky shade (or cloudy) diamonds are considered a negative trait as this affects the fire, sparkle, and scintillation of a diamond. We all desire a nice sparkly stone!

WEEKLY DIAMOND PRICE LIST

Diamonds are priced based on a price list that is published every week. All dealers, wholesalers, or retailers use this as a reference point when buying any diamond transaction. These price lists do change based on market conditions.

From this price list dealers or wholesalers will almost always get a discount price. While retailers will sell at the list price or higher. This is true in Bangkok or retail dealer globally.

Based on the diamond assumptions given above. On average we dealers will get around 10% discount for GIA certified 0.50 carats diamonds. And 15% discount for GIA certified 1.00 carats or 2.00 carats from the price list.

DIFFERENT DISCOUNTS FOR DIFFERENT DIAMOND GRADES

Please note for higher color and clarity diamonds. Dealers usually get on average a larger discount. While for lower color (H or below) and clarity (VS2 or below) the discounts are lower.

Again this is because the price for higher grade diamonds starts at a much higher point and therefore can afford larger discounts. All prices below are also just estimates and if you are interested in buying a diamond ring do contact usfor actual diamond pricing based on your criteria.

HOW MUCH IS 0.50 CARATS DIAMOND COST?

0.50 carats Diamond Price List (wholesaler 10% discount average) - Last update 07 June 2024:

Thai Baht to USD Exchange rate of 36.33

The price range for 0.50 carat diamond in Bangkok ranges from

HOW MUCH IS 1 CARAT DIAMOND COST?

1.00 carats Diamond Price List (wholesaler 15% discount average) - Last update 07 June 2024:

Thai Baht to USD Exchange rate of 36.33

The price range for 1.00 carat diamond in Bangkok ranges from

HOW MUCH IS 2 CARATS DIAMOND COST?

2.00 carats Diamond Price List (wholesaler 15% discount average) - Last update 07 June 2024:

Thai Baht to USD Exchange rate of 36.33

The price range for 2.00 carat diamond in Bangkok ranges from

COST OF MAKING THE RING (18K WHITE GOLD & PLATINUM):

One thing you will get cheaper in Bangkok than most places around the globe is the cost of making the ring as labor charges are generally a lot cheaper here.

The prices below do not include the center diamond.

Simple solitaire 18k white gold ring (US Ring size 5 to 6.5): US$450 or Thai Baht 16,500

Example:

Simple solitaire 18k white gold ring with side diamonds (US Ring size 5 to 6.5): US$750 to US$800 or Thai Baht 27,250 to thai Baht 29,000

Example:

Simple solitaire Platinum ring (US Ring size 5 to 6.5): US$750 to US$850 or Thai Baht 27,250 to thai Baht 29,000

Example:

Simple solitaire Platinum ring with side diamonds (US Ring size 5 to 6.5): US$1,000 to US$1,200 Thai Baht 36,500 to thai Baht 43,600

Example:

As you can see above, the majority cost of a diamond ring is the "center diamond". Please remember that the prices shown in this blog are what we wholesalers usually get. When buying a diamond and manufacturing a ring ourselves.

If you do buy these rings in retail outlets in Bangkok (or anywhere) the prices will usually be much higher as they have other overhead costs to cover.

Thai Native Gems Diamond Search & Custom Engagement Ring service:

If you are in the market looking for the best diamond and custom hand made engagement ring. Contact Us. Let us know what your budget is and what you are looking for.

From this initial information, we will swiftly find and email you 4 to 5 center diamond options. Unlike other traditional or online dealers, I am not looking to sell you anything. But will provide you honest, frank and objective opinion in what we think is best in the budget you offer.

This service is free, and there absolutely no commitment to buy any of our suggestions. The only thing you have to do is not respond to our email and you won't hear from us again! So, you truly have nothing to lose!

How do we compile this diamond list? Our search process is provided below:

1) We first will contact our local diamond supply network and check if there are any stones that fit your requirement in Bangkok. We have over 50 contacts in Bangkok and will check ALL to make sure we can provide you the best deal.

2) If not satisfied, we will then check online through our extensive global network sifting through over 900,000+ diamonds. and will find you the best diamond. The only setback when choosing the diamond from this global list is, it can take one to two weeks to arrive to Bangkok.

What type engagement rings can you make and how are they made?

1) We usually set our engagement rings in 18k yellow or white gold or 950 platinum settings. Our rings are all hand-crafted and made by highly skilled Thai craftsmen.

Examples in some of the rings we made you can see on our YouTube channel and shown below:

YouTube Channel PLAY LIST

_____________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world

All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

You can learn more by clicking here or image below

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How much does it cost to buy a 0.50 carat or 1 carat or 2 carat diamond ring in Bangkok, Thailand?

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Discover the price range of 0.50 carat, 1 carat, 2 carat diamond ring in Thailand. Video & Article Explaining Factors that Affect the Costs.

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Where and how to buy diamonds in Bangkok, Thailand?

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Guide explaining where and how to buy diamonds in Bangkok or Thailand. Article explains facts, buying guides and things to consider when buying a diamond

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The title of this blog is a question that has been asked many times by my friends, family, and blog readers, where can I buy the cheapest diamonds in Bangkok or anywhere in the world?

Is it cheaper to buy diamonds in Bangkok compared to Singapore, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Dubai, Sydney, London, and New York? It does seem like a logical question to ask especially to someone like me who has been in the diamond trade for over 15 years.

Cheapest Diamond in Bangkok - Location

There must be a location where I can buy the cheapest wholesale diamond every time!

The truth is amonds are highly traded commodity and almost all countries have similar pricing.

This is especially true if the diamond is purchased from a respectable diamond wholesaler, trader, or retailer. The only price difference will be that country's tax code. For example, diamonds are subject to 7% VAT in Thailand or 20% VAT in the United Kingdom.

Certain countries prefer SI quality diamonds like the US, while countries in East Asia (like China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, etc.,) prefer cleaner diamonds (VVS or VS clarity).

The reason one might feel certain country's diamonds are cheaper than others is because a particular market -

Have More Players (Buyers & Sellers) - when a country has more companies or consumers who sell/buy diamond jewelry they will accept lower margins and therefore diamonds will be more competitively priced.

Are more Transparent for Diamond Pricing - Some countries have a larger online presence which means the diamond pricing will be more transparent. This allows consumers to compare prices easily which will make diamond pricing more competitive & cheaper.

Cheapest Diamond in Bangkok - Diamond Wholesale Business

iamond wholesalers always get a weekly price list called the Rapaport Diamond price list that provides an 'estimate' of how much a diamond should cost based on its 4Cs (Carat Weight, Color, Clarity, Cut Grade).

This list can be seen 'indirectly' in our regular updated blog post which I have provided the link to here - how much a 0.50 carat, 1 carat or 2 carats diamond should cost in wholesale.

These diamond prices are standard for all diamond traders around the globe. Due to this price transparency, the chance of overcharging has become more difficult. If they do try to sell at a much higher price other wholesalers, traders, or companies will enter that market and will reduce the diamond prices to global prices as it is an easy 'arbitrage trade.'

So, the question being asked. Regarding where you can get the cheapest diamond is actually incorrect. It is not about where the diamond is located from which determines the price, but from whom you know 'inside' the diamond trade, which can get you the correct wholesale price.

The Diamond Trading Process

Now let us think about this logically in how diamonds or diamond jewelry are usually traded. There is a simple process that a diamond must go through before reaching your beautiful fiancé's/ girlfriend's or wife's hands.

THE TRADITIONAL FIVE STEPS

[Step One] First diamonds have to be dug from the ground either from open pit mines, alluvial sources, or from sheer rubble ( Almost impossible in the modern day). These mines are controlled by 'very' large corporations or countries that have exclusive rights, so they can control the rough diamond prices. Corporations like De Beers or countries like Russia, Canada, or Australia are now distributing all the rough diamonds.

[Step Two] The rough is sold directly to large companies through invitation only. For example, De Beer's rough is sold to companies who they have screened and 'selected.' These companies are called "siteholders." They have an option to buy the rough diamonds ten times during the year. For six days this periods are called 'sight periods.' These companies will bid for the highest price to get the diamond rough.

[Step Three] From there, diamonds are then cut to facets that we all recognize and certify either in-house or from reliable third-party certificate providers like GIA, HRD, IGI, EGL, etc.,

[Step Four] These manufacturers will then either sell the cut diamonds to:
a) Other diamond traders
b) Wholesalers
c) Directly to some wholesale jewelry manufacturers.

[Step Five] The wholesale jewelry manufacturers finally sell their finished diamond jewelry to retailers. This is where you will see your finished ring in that beautiful display at any big department store or boutique jewelry shop.

So, as you can see above the usual process of acquiring a diamond ring will need your diamond to go through 3 to 4 hands before reaching you.

This process is the same anywhere in the world in Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, London, etc.

You can imagine at each level the individual or company will need to make "a margin." To sustain their business. Therefore, the more hands the diamonds has gone through the diamond distribution chain. The more you the consumer will have to pay.

Why Traditional Way of Buying a Diamond Engagement Ring or Jewelry not Relevant Today?

Consumers still like to buy their diamond engagement ring or jewelry. From famous brands. As they 'believe' they are more

However, you have to remember the reason why these brands are famous is because they have spent a lot promoting their brand & products through ad campaigns or hired brand ambassadors.

Also to serve their clients and 'keep their image.' They need to hire professional sale staffs have excellent jewelry displays or are located in premium areas. So they can provide excellent services.

All this costs money
a) Marketing expense
b) Rental expense
c) Staff salaries
d) Inventory expenses, etc.

So, if you are still a traditionalist and prefer buying from "big brands." Due to brand loyalty or convenience. You will have to pay more as nothing is free.

Traditional vs New Age Way of Buying Diamond Jewelry

The above method of buying jewelry from traditional storefronts made sense 20 years ago when we didn't have the power of the internet and information wasn't as available.

But, as we are now in the 21st century, the web has transformed how we can buy our diamonds or custom jewelry.

If enough research is done, you can now get the diamond and engagement ring one or two steps above the traditional retail level. This means it is now possible to buy a diamond or custom jewelry cheaper or like a wholesaler!

The image below summarizes what I mean when I said we can 'skip' 1 or 2 steps above.

Example of United States of America (USA)

An example of how diamond ring purchases have changed already is the United States of America (USA). Consumers have started purchasing their diamond engagement rings online instead of in traditional retail stores.

Large online diamond sellers like Blue Nile or James Allen are now taking market share from traditionalists like Tiffany or Cartier as they can provide better deals by exclusively selling online with 'smaller' overheads.

That is why most consumers and traders agree that one of the most competitive markets to buy a diamond ring is the USA.

However, this does not mean that the United States is the cheapest place. Any respectable diamond wholesaler or our company can beat these prices - being modest of course! 🙂

Buyer tip: When buying a diamond do please check these two websites (Blue Nile or James Allen) to see how much you are paying for your 'center diamond.'
If your contact is selling the diamond more expensive than these sites then most probably you are overpaying. You can read more about how to check if you getting a good deal from this blog post: Step by Step Comprehensive Guide: How to get the best deal for your diamond engagement ring

Yet other countries which include the ones sourcing the diamonds, cutting the diamonds, or making the finished rings are still dependent on the "old traditional retail model" and that is why it feels more expensive to purchase diamond rings in these countries.

Cheapest Diamond in Bangkok - Check Who You Are Getting Your Diamond From

As explained the cheapest way to buy your diamond is by getting as close to the diamond manufacturers as possible. In most countries, you can get there by exclusively looking at online sellers or by knowing someone who is an 'insider' in the diamond trade.

Most people in the diamond wholesale business source their diamonds from diamond manufacturers or are manufacturers themselves. Therefore it just depends on how much margin they want to "extract from you" knowing that you are not in the trade.

Therefore, please remember it is not where you buy the diamond. But from whom you buy it which matters to get the cheapest and fairest diamond price out there!

______________________

Thai Native Gems Diamond Search & Custom Engagement Ring service (Cheapest way to buy diamonds in Bangkok):

If you are in the market looking for the best diamond and custom hand made engagement ring. Contact Us. Let us know what your budget is and what you are looking for.

From this initial information, we will swiftly find and email you 4 to 5 center diamond options. Unlike other traditional or online dealers, I am not looking to sell you anything. But will provide you honest, frank and objective opinion in what we think is best in the budget you offer.

This service is free, and there absolutely no commitment to buy any of our suggestions. The only thing you have to do is not respond to our email and you won't hear from us again! So, you truly have nothing to lose!

How do we compile this diamond list? Our search process is provided below:

1) We first will contact our local diamond supply network and check if there are any stones that fit your requirement in Bangkok. We have over 50 contacts in Bangkok and will check ALL to make sure we can provide you the best deal.

2) If not satisfied, we will then check online through our extensive global network sifting through over 900,000+ diamonds. and will find you the best diamond. The only setback when choosing the diamond from this global list is, it can take one to two weeks to arrive to Bangkok.

What type engagement rings can you make and how are they made?

1) We usually set our engagement rings in 18k yellow or white gold or 950 platinum settings. Our rings are all hand-crafted and made by highly skilled Thai craftsmen.

Examples in some of the rings we made you can see on our YouTube channel and shown below:

YouTube Channel PLAY LIST

_____________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world

All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

You can learn more by clicking here or image below

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Where To Buy the Cheapest Diamond in Bangkok, Thailand?

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Explains the diamond trade process and methods how to buy cheapest diamond in Bangkok, Thailand or anywhere else in the world

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Lab Grown diamonds is one topic which is not going away from the news or diamond trade discussion for the last few years.

Since the big announcement in early June by De beers that they are creating their own lab grown diamond jewelry line and then the second big announcement by US Federation Trade Commission's (FTC) decision to remove the word 'natural' from its definition of diamonds they are thousands of articles discussing as to how this will affect the natural diamond trade.

So, in today's blog post, I wanted to discuss what are lab grown diamonds really are, how to check for lab grown diamonds and finally my personal opinion on how lab grown diamonds will affect the overall natural diamond trade.

In simple layman terms, Lab grown diamonds are the same as natural diamonds.

They both have same in
a) Chemical composition (pure carbon)
b) Crystal structure
c) Physical property (hardness & durability)

But, they are man-made and not formed inside the earth like natural diamonds.

The process of making natural diamonds usually takes billions of years. The environment occurs deep inside the earth's curst through 'high-pressure high temperature' (HPHT).

Coal and graphite, like the diamond, are also pure carbon. Yet, they both were not exposed to the same HPHT environment. That is why these pure carbon elements didn't form and become a diamond.

So, for all the science geniuses out there who don't want to spend their hard-earned money on a diamond. Why not propose to your girlfriend with a nice piece of coal or graphite?

In the 1950s, General Electric created machines that simulate the same environment (HPHT). This created the first lab grown in their labs. But, this process required very expensive equipment and a lot of energy. Also, the final results were not satisfactory. Most lab grown were either too 'yellowish' or 'brownish' in color.

There is now a newer and cheaper process called 'CVD' (Chemical Vapor Deposition). It has been in the market in the last 5 to 6 years.

Initially, CVD lab grown diamonds had the same issues like old HPHT diamonds. By producing only brownish color diamonds. But, after a lot of trial and error, producers have found ways to fix the issue. Most of the CVD diamonds now look almost colorless. Thus, are impossible to detect without sophisticated machinery.

If you would like to read more about both processes I recommend checking this GIA article: https://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research-improved-quality-identification-challenges

Unlike synthetic color gemstones, lab grown diamonds are a lot more difficult to detect. Most don't have any internal inclusions, eye visible indicators and most are very clean.

GIA has actually been proactive in trying to detect lab grown diamonds. It has a strong incentive to do so as they don't want to lose their money-making business. Grading 'natural diamond' is GIA's largest cash cow or bread earner.

GIA actually do have the most to lose if they cannot detect lab grown. The lab business is all people's trust, thus detecting lab grown is very important.
Update in April 2023, there are rumors in the market that some lab grown diamonds cannot be detected as they are trying to make them 'grow' the same way natural diamonds. If this is true this will hurt the trust in the business and hurt the 'natural' diamond business. We will continue to check regarding this issue and will keep our blog readers updated.
BIG LABS CHECKING PROCESS

After testing hundreds of samples, GIA have found the following characteristics how lab grown diamonds differ from natural diamonds?

Large labs like GIA use spectral analysis, which can distinguish whether the diamonds were created by CVD or are natural diamonds.
Spectral analysis can see what exactly is the chemical composition of a diamond.

Grain patterns are different between natural and lab grown. All diamonds have graining but the 'pattern' seen in nature is different from man-made ones.

Ultraviolet reaction is also different between lab grown and natural diamonds. These can be seen by GIA's DiamondView

There is a lot of panic in the natural diamond trade as lab grown diamonds have the exact same property as natural diamonds. While it is true they are 'near' perfect substitutes, they are important differences.

We do have to remember that there is an 'unlimited' supply for lab grown diamonds as carbon is an abundant substance everywhere, which is how diamonds are made of.

While natural diamonds are limited to what is being mined or existing in the market.

BIG ISSUE - UNLIMITED SUPPLY

So based on a simple economic principle, when a resource has unlimited supply there is actually no limit on how low-priced it can be. As any person or lab can produce an additional unit.

Lab grown diamonds have this issue while natural diamonds don't. Thus, lab grown diamonds in the long-term won't have any value, while natural diamonds will keep theirs.

To prove my point I want to provide two examples in what is the difference between unlimited supply to limited supply?

EXAMPLES OF UNLIMITED SUPPLY

In history, we have seen an unlimited supply example many times in the currency market. When a country prints unlimited money, its currency soon becomes worthless.

Famous examples include
a) German Papiermark after World War I
b) Zimbabwe Dollar in the 2010s.

To keep value even for the paper money you do have to limit the supply.

Also, another closer example is what happened in the color gemstone trade. Invented in the 1880s (more than 100 hundred years ago), synthetic rubies can be produced in tons.

They are also perfect substitutes for natural rubies.
a) Color (actually better than natural)
b) Chemical composition
c) Crystal structure
d) Physical property.

However, in today's market synthetic rubies have no value. The only cost is labor for cutting the stones. While the highest quality unheated & untreated rubies have shot up in value. As they are very limited in supply.

The same can be seen for synthetic VS natural emeralds and sapphires as well.

CONFLICT DIAMOND ISSUE

Now another issue which is worrying, the diamond trade is the conflict diamond issue. The new generation is becoming more aware of how rough diamonds are being sourced and traded. Also, popular movies like blood diamond helped bring this issue up.

They now want only 100% guaranteed conflict-free diamonds as people don't want to sponsor these horrible acts.

This is one issue, I do agree with which has to be tackled by the natural diamond trade. Long term, new technology will catch up and we will soon be able to trace natural diamonds. For example, recently 'nanoparticle' technology was introduced in Zambian emeralds' rough.

Once diamonds can are traceable, the trust will come back in the natural diamond business.

Therefore, long-term I do believe natural diamonds will be a better investment. The natural diamond trade has nothing to worry about lab grown diamonds taking over.

Thai Native Gems - Conflict free diamond clause -

We at Thai Native Gems try our best to check the companies we deal with have a 'conflict-free' diamonds clause. Also, we only deal with companies that follow Kimberly Process. We check by looking at the company's mission statement or manifesto.

As we truly believe in eradicating these horrible acts in the diamond trade. We will with the best of our ability and knowledge not trade or get any conflict or blood diamonds.

_______________

Thai Native Gems Diamond Search & Custom Engagement Ring service:

If you are in the market looking for the best diamond and custom hand made engagement ring. Contact Us. Let us know what your budget is and what you are looking for.

From this initial information, we will swiftly find and email you 4 to 5 center diamond options. Unlike other traditional or online dealers, I am not looking to sell you anything. But will provide you honest, frank and objective opinion in what we think is best in the budget you offer.

This service is free, and there absolutely no commitment to buy any of our suggestions. The only thing you have to do is not respond to our email and you won't hear from us again! So, you truly have nothing to lose!

How do we compile this diamond list? Our search process is provided below:

1) We first will contact our local diamond supply network and check if there are any stones that fit your requirement in Bangkok. We have over 50 contacts in Bangkok and will check ALL to make sure we can provide you the best deal.

2) If not satisfied, we will then check online through our extensive global network sifting through over 900,000+ diamonds. and will find you the best diamond. The only setback when choosing the diamond from this global list is, it can take one to two weeks to arrive to Bangkok.

What type engagement rings can you make and how are they made?

1) We usually set our engagement rings in 18k yellow or white gold or 950 platinum settings. Our rings are all hand-crafted and made by highly skilled Thai craftsmen.

Examples in some of the rings we made you can see on our YouTube channel and shown below:

YouTube Channel PLAY LIST

_____________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world

All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

You can learn more by clicking here or image below

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Lab Grown vs Mined Diamonds - how will lab grown diamond affect the value of mined diamond trade in the long term?

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What are lab grown diamonds? How to check for them? How will lab diamond affect the mined diamond trade? Learn about this important issue

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Where and how to buy a diamond in Mumbai, India? - Buy Gemstone Info

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Guide explaining where and how to buy diamonds in Mumbai or India. Article explains facts, buying guides and things to consider when buying a diamond

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In this short video tutorial, using a diamond ring we custom made, I wanted to show How to check the GIA Laser inscription under the microscope and the verification methods one should use.

The laser inscription is the fastest way to verify if your diamond matches with GIA report number which provides the diamond's 4Cs details. This also determines the value of the diamond.

Why is important to check your diamond's GIA laser inscription?

To make sure that the diamond ring you are buying matches with the GIA laser inscription, which is pretty much the value of the ring!

When sending a diamond ring for repairs that it was not switched with inferior quality, synthetic, plastic, or glass.

Usually, by seeing a GIA laser inscription you are almost 90% guarantee that your diamond is genuine.

Equipment you require to check diamond's laser inscription?

a) Gem Loupe - https://amzn.to/2GCTLBo

b) Microscope - https://amzn.to/3jz0736

How to Position the Diamond Ring under the microscope?

First, position your ring in such a way so you can see the laser inscriptions that will be on the 'diamond's girdle.' The image below shows the ideal stable position. You can also use your hand to hold the ring with a tweezer.

Find the GIA laser inscription and verify with the GIA certificate

After positioning the ring correctly, search and find the GIA laser inscription on the diamond's girdle and then verify if the number matches with the GIA report number.
GIA Laser inscription image of this diamond GIA Report Copy (make sure it matches with the above number)
Check at GIA Report check website to make sure the GIA certificate is genuine

Verify your diamond from the GIA report check website is genuine.

GIA Report check website link: https://www.gia.edu/report-check-landing

This diamond's GIA report check which proves this certificate number is genuine: https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=5343499664

Other ways to check and make sure your diamond is genuine and matches with the GIA certificate?

Diamond carat weight should match the certificate's carat weight

Diamond dimensions should match with the certificate's dimensions

If you have a diamond over 1 carat then the diamond plot chart should match the diamond's inclusions under the microscope

Finally, make sure that you have a 'natural' diamond by seeing the diamond hardness and luster which is known as " adamantine" luster. (this method usually requires a little more experience)

If unsure that your diamond is not genuine, I of course recommend showing it to any gemologist or jeweler around your area.

I hope you found this short video useful and do feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions.

_______________________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world

All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

You can learn more by clicking here
What will you get if you contact us

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How to Check GIA Laser Inscription Under The Microscope [Video]? -

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Video explaining how to check your diamond ring's GIA laser inscription under the microscope and what other ways to check.

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HOW TO BUY FANCY COLORED DIAMONDS? - FANCY DIAMONDS ARE RARE

Buying fancy colored diamonds is not easy. Colored diamonds are one of the rarest and most fascinating gems in the market. As there are so few of them available, it is very difficult to evaluate what should be the fair market price.

These gems are also very unique in terms of being like a diamond - same hardness, tough & adamantine luster - plus having all range of colors like any beautiful colored gemstone.

The idea in writing this post came up to me when I received a phone call from someone who has been collecting colored pink diamonds for 20 years even though he was not a professional in the trade and was now interested in selling some of his exclusive collection.

Although I have now been in the business for over a decade, I was not 100% confident if I can help this individual as there are a lot questions which I need answers to. So, I have decided while getting these answers why not write a blog post which will help others who might have the same questions and are in the market for wanting to buy fancy colored diamonds.

HOW TO BUY FANCY COLORED DIAMONDS? - FOUR IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

So to tackle this problem, I first decided to write a list of questions which I require the answers as shown below:

1. How to judge the quality of a fancy colored diamond?

2. How to determine the value of a fancy colored diamond?

3. Is there a way to find out how rare colored diamonds are through online data or our extensive supply network?

4. Where do these diamonds come from and does this affect the value of the diamond?

HOW TO BUY FANCY COLORED DIAMONDS? - JUDGING QUALITY

How to judge the quality of a fancy colored diamond?

Like colored gemstones the most important factor for colored fancy diamonds is to determine what the actual color is.

I have briefly discussed about how difficult it is to determine color in another blog post which you can read here: https://www.buygemstone.info/2015/04/23/how-to-buy-a-colored-gem-or-gemstone-online-and-why-it-is-still-not-possible-without-a-trustworthy-eye/

GIA and other labs have tried standardizing this issue by describing color based on three-dimensional relationship between hue, tone and saturation.

In summary, hue describes what the primary color is for particular colored diamond.

Tone describes how 'light or dark' the particular color range is - for example, light blue or dark blue.

Finally saturation describes how deep or 'intense' the particular color range is. If the color has low saturation it will be whiter or in grayish color range of the spectrum, while highest saturation will only have that color.

In terms of hues, GIA recognizes 27 hues for color grading diamonds and chose this number as "this places a practical limit on the number of possible color descriptions," so there can be some standardization in the market place.

The hues are determined by first looking at the basic colors face-up like red, blue and yellow, or mixture colors like orangy-red, green-blue, brownish-yellow.

FANCY DIAMONDS RARITY RANKING

The color stated on the certificate is very important as there is 'significant value' associated with certain colors. The rarer the particular color the more expensive it is.

So, the rarest to most common colored diamonds list is shown below:

However, as stated earlier most colored diamonds usually has combinations of these colors, so you can see this makes the exercise in determining value a lot more difficult.

GIA has also created a standard to describe the combination of tone and saturation for colored diamonds.

GIA TONE & SATURATION RANKING

The specific grades used to describe the different color appearance ranges are provided below (rank from lowest to highest tone & saturation):

So, usually the above terms are combined with color hues to describe the color. For example, Fancy Vivid Pink, Faint Yellow, Fancy Light grayish-blue

Other factors like cut grade or cut shape isn't that important to determine the quality of the colored diamond.

HOW TO BUY FANCY COLORED DIAMONDS? - DETERMINE VALUE

How to determine the value of fancy colored diamond?

As answered in the first question, value of fancy colored diamond is first determined by what particular color it is. The more rare and desirable the color is, the more expensive the colored diamond will be.

The second most important factor in determining value of colored diamond is of course the all-important carat weight. This principal is simple, the larger the colored diamond, the rarer it is and therefore the more expensive it is.

However, this again depends on the particular color of the diamond. For example if the colored diamond is black or brown, usually the prices are quite stable even when these diamonds get larger as they are not so rare and the color is considered less desirable.

In the other spectrum, if a diamond has any red color hue even if the carat weight is less than 0.10 carat, the prices for these diamonds command unbelievable high price as they are so rare that most people including myself will not have a chance to see it in our lifetime.

Clarity also does matter in how expensive a particular colored diamond is. The cleaner or inclusion-less a diamond is the more fire and sparkle it will have and therefore the more expensive it will be.

Usually some colors will have more inclusions than others like black diamonds are 'fully included' diamonds, while pinks will have more inclusions as it is believed the inclusions causes it to get its color.

VALUING COLORED DIAMONDS IS NOT EASY

So, once we know how rare (based on color, carat weight and clarity) the fancy diamond is, we can (in theory) start comparing the price and reach to some range in what a particular colored diamond should cost.

But, like colored gemstones no two colored diamonds are the same, so this skill requires both hard data and some understanding in evaluating 'art or beauty.' I never said buying or selling colored diamonds or gemstones are easy!

HOW TO BUY FANCY COLORED DIAMONDS? - CHECKING RARITY

Is there a way to find out how rare color diamonds are through online data or our extensive supply network?

In the age of the internet, finding white diamonds has become a lot easier as there now multiple manufacturers, wholesalers or retailers who provide us access to their online inventory database. So, getting an accurate wholesale price for any white diamond isn't difficult anymore.

So, does this apply to colored diamonds? One way to check this theory is to make a scenario and check how many & how much a particular fancy diamond is selling for in the wholesale market.

CHECKING VALUE OF PINK DIAMONDS

So, for this test case I decided to check for GIA certified 0.50 carat "Pink" diamonds.

From my online search, I found 220 pink diamond options (within 0.50 carat range) around the world of which were classified with saturation levels above Fancy light.

I eliminated the other options as they were 'not pink enough' through my eyes. The price range for this 26 diamond list was from US$3,000 to US$170,000 total, which is a very large range.

As expected the biggest predictor of price was what GIA classified the color as and then the clarity grade.

The cheapest options were classified as fancy light pink while the most expensive was graded as fancy intense pink.

Now with these 26 diamond options, does it give me enough confidence in concluding what the accurate pink diamond price should be in wholesale?

CHECKING VALUE OF D-COLOR, IF-CLARITY DIAMOND

For comparison sake let us check how many options are available for the rarest of rare 'white diamond' which is the top grade D-color, Internally Flawless-clarity.

For this list, I limited my search for only GIA certified and top 'triple excellent cut grade.' Within this very limited classification range - 0.50 carat, D-color, IF-clarity, Triple Excellent make, we found around 142 wholesale options.

Also, the price range was from US$3,300 to US$5,000. When you compare this price range and list with the fancy pink diamond's, you can see clearly see that for white diamonds we can confidently conclude what the wholesale price range should be, while for fancy pink diamond we cannot make the same conclusion.

So due to having very limited options for pink diamonds to compare with, it is almost impossible to determine what the accurate wholesale price should be.

The wholesaler, dealer or collector can ask whatever price they wish as we as a buyer just don't have an option to look for an alternative.

HOW TO BUY FANCY COLORED DIAMONDS? - ORIGIN

Where do these diamonds come from and does this affect the value of the diamond?

Fancy colored diamonds come from many different mines in the world and I have provided a brief list below.

Colored diamond mines (ancient times & currently)

Australia's Argyle Mine supplies 90% of pink diamonds in the world. The mine is expected to stop production by 2018.

South African mines supplies yellows, blues and sometime green diamonds

Central African mines produces majority of orange diamonds in the world and sometimes green diamonds

Ancient Indian diamond mines was the source of all 'large size' color range diamonds including - blue, pink, purple, green. The world famous 'Hope diamond' was from India.

Russian mines supplies purple diamonds

Ancient South American mines produce some of rarest green diamonds

The origin does not determine value of fancy colored diamonds as they are so rare anyways. Just finding a matching pair or another option from the same mine is 'nearly impossible.'

So, if you are in the market for fancy diamonds and do have the money and opportunity to acquire one, you will definitely belong to 'a very exclusive club' in human history.

_____________________

Thai Native Gems Diamond Search & Custom Engagement Ring service:

If you are in the market looking for the best diamond and custom hand made engagement ring. Contact Us. Let us know what your budget is and what you are looking for.

From this initial information, we will swiftly find and email you 4 to 5 center diamond options. Unlike other traditional or online dealers, I am not looking to sell you anything. But will provide you honest, frank and objective opinion in what we think is best in the budget you offer.

This service is free, and there absolutely no commitment to buy any of our suggestions. The only thing you have to do is not respond to our email and you won't hear from us again! So, you truly have nothing to lose!

How do we compile this diamond list? Our search process is provided below:

1) We first will contact our local diamond supply network and check if there are any stones that fit your requirement in Bangkok. We have over 50 contacts in Bangkok and will check ALL to make sure we can provide you the best deal.

2) If not satisfied, we will then check online through our extensive global network sifting through over 900,000+ diamonds. and will find you the best diamond. The only setback when choosing the diamond from this global list is, it can take one to two weeks to arrive to Bangkok.

What type engagement rings can you make and how are they made?

1) We usually set our engagement rings in 18k yellow or white gold or 950 platinum settings. Our rings are all hand-crafted and made by highly skilled Thai craftsmen.

Examples in some of the rings we made you can see on our YouTube channel and shown below:

YouTube Channel PLAY LIST

_____________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world

All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

You can learn more by clicking here or image below

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How to buy fancy colored diamonds and evaluate its value?

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How to buy fancy colored diamonds? Discusses how to determine fancy colored diamond's 3Cs quality, value, rarity and origin.

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BUYING DIAMOND ONLINE IN BANGKOK

Buying a diamond online today has never been easier. There are now multiple websites providing free access to diamond inventory search lists, actual GIA (or other certificate) copies for each choice and beautiful finished ring images.

Therefore, you can now just search and browse your ring choice and then buy with a simple click of a button your diamond and engagement /wedding ring.

CHEAPEST PRICE IS THE BEST DEAL?

So, now as we have all this information out there, why do we need to go to a jewelry store or trusted diamond wholesaler anymore?

For example, if the GIA certificate states that the diamond is 1.00 carat, H-color, VS1-clarity, excellent cut, excellent polish, excellent symmetry with no fluorescence, I know exactly what I am getting so the only thing I have to see is if I am getting the "BEST" price or deal, right?

Unfortunately, the above statement is NOT exactly true and there is definitely "more than meets the eye" when purchasing a diamond online or elsewhere.

VERIFICATION STILL MATTERS

Just because you have a certificate that states all the specifications, it doesn't mean you have an excellent looking, premium cut, white & eye-clean looking diamond.

In this blog article I will discuss what we as dealers have to check when purchasing a diamond online or at any diamond office and I hope this helps you all when making your individual purchase choices.

First thing you should always make sure when buying a diamond online is if it has a third party laboratory certification. On the certification you will get all the important 4Cs parameters (carat weight, color, clarity and cut) which is very important in helping you determine what is the correct value of a diamond.

The best labs are AGS or GIA certificates then HRD, IGI and finally EGL (which I highly don't recommend). Please note that the lower certificates like HRD or IGI are considered less strict in their color grading and therefore sold a lot cheaper than GIA or AGS certificates.

For most certificates you can verify them by going to their websites and typing the certificate number and carat weight. This process is called verifying your diamond report and I have provided links for each lab below.
Please ensure before making any purchase, to do this simple five seconds certification check to make sure the diamond you are getting is real and not forged.
Report Verification Links

GIA: http://www.gia.edu/report-check-landing
AGS: https://www.agslab.com/verify_diamond_grading_report.php
HRD: http://www.hrdantwerplink.be/
IGI: http://www.igiworldwide.com/verify.php
EGL (NOT RECOMMENDED): http://www.eglinternational.org/egl/online-verification

Another way to check if your diamond matches with the certificate is to check if it has a laser inscription.

Most GIA certified diamonds, both large and small, will have laser inscription on the girdle that matches the GIA certificate number.

This feature is also sometimes included in other labs (AGS, HRD, IGI) diamonds as well, though they are more common for larger size diamonds than smaller.

All certificates will have diamond carat weight written and if the certificate is real you can be sure the carat weight is accurate as well, as this is the easiest thing to check. Carat weight can also be checked with a simple mettler which every wholesaler or retailer will have in their office or shop.

Color grading on the other hand is very subjective and this really depends on which lab the diamond has been certified. In my experience, I found GIA or AGS labs to be the most accurate. HRD and IGI are a little more lenient in the color grade and I usually find them one or two grades more ambitious than typical GIA or AGS.

There is one aspect in color which is NOT STATED in all diamond lab certificates which is very important to verify - what "color shade" a particular diamond is?

As wholesalers when we buy diamonds online, we always ask the diamond supplier or manufacturer if this diamond has no "BGM" - which means, has no brown, green or milky shade as all these are undesirable traits for overall diamond look.

Once a diamond is graded G-color or below, one can start noticing some color shade on the sides of the diamond which typically is yellow or brown.

In the trade, brown color shades are usually unattractive compared to yellow shades and therefore sold much cheaper. Green shades are definitely unwanted and should be avoided completely.

So, just because you have an "H-color" GIA certified diamond, it does not mean that all H-color diamonds are alike because they may have different color shades.

If your diamond is definitely white looking (with very, very little yellow tinge) this is the most desirable H-color diamond.

CLARITY

Clarity grading is also very subjective depending on the lab certifying the diamond. Again GIA or AGS labs are the most accurate labs than HRD and IGI. All labs provide diamond plot charts which allows you to see where the inclusions are located and what type of inclusions they are.

However, no two diamonds are alike especially for clarity grading and one VS2-clarity diamond might be better than other even though both are certified by GIA. All lab certifications do not provide what color the inclusions are, which is actually another important factor we have to consider when buying any diamond.

When we wholesalers buy a diamond we always check if there are any "opaque" black or white inclusions, feathers or other prominent inclusions under the table of a diamond.

Black inclusions under the table are the most undesirable trait as they are usually visible to the naked eye.

Concentrated white inclusions or feathers also are sometimes noticeable. There also instances where crystal inclusions under the table is acceptable because the crystals are transparent and therefore not visible with naked eye.

So, just because a certificate has a plot chart with inclusions in the middle of the table doesn't mean the diamond is bad.

This can only be judged by getting the information from the supplier or by looking at an actual diamond picture face-up. Luckily most large manufacturers do provide us this information, but as an end-user one should also check these factors.

An ideal VS2 diamond will be eye-clean and you will not be able to notice any inclusions until you check it under a microscope or 10x gem loupe.

ANOTHER BUYER TIP:
You should also remember that no diamond inclusions are alike, so another way to check if the diamond you have is same as the one stated on the certificate is by matching it with diamond plot chart.
On the plot chart it will indicate where the inclusions are located and the type of inclusions they are, so this should match with the diamond you are purchasing.
IF IT DOES NOT MATCH, then you will know you are getting scammed! Please note, for GIA certificates below 1 carat, they will not include these diamond plot charts in the certificate and therefore, the only way to check is to see the laser inscription on the girdle.

This is one 4C which is very debatable and I can focus almost one whole blog post exclusively for this (maybe I will soon).

The most ideal cut diamonds are considered Triple Excellent cuts in GIA, HRD, IGI or Grade 0 in AGS.

Again how strict the cut grading is depends on which lab grades it. In the trade, GIA and AGS both have strictest cut grade criteria but both have different ways in grading what "an excellent" cut grade is.

GIA VS AGS CUT GRADING CRITERIA

GIA believes the human eye takes priority over what the technology says while AGS believes more in technical numbers or images. Therefore, for AGS labs, it is more important to have "the correct numbers" an ideal crown angle, girdle size, diamond depth, pavilion angle, etc.

This usually will result in ideal aset analysis, ideal scope images, diamxray analysis, etc. So, shouldn't these diamonds look great! This is sadly, NOT true.

After multiple studies by GIA, they have found that some diamonds which don't have these ideal numbers or technical images do look great with human eye observations which should always take precedence over what technology has to say.

This is because in the end we the end-users are going to decide how the diamond looks with our eyes and not what the technical "computer" screen says.

BUYING ONLINE IS ABOUT HUMAN EYE

So, how do we buy a diamond/s online without seeing it in person? Big manufacturers do provide us wholesalers, the ideal aset, ideal scope, diamxray images, but in the end I always ask them, how does the luster look.

They will usually accurately describe the diamond as excellent, very good or good. Therefore, you should only deal with people who you trust and provide you honest judgment in how the diamond looks before making your purchase online.

An ideal cut diamond should be bright, sparkle and have an amazing rainbow fire!

Fluorescence is another common trait of a diamond and a very debatable characteristic which everyone in the trade doesn't agree with. In my experience, fluorescence doesn't affect the overall look of a diamond and in fact makes diamond look whiter especially for H-color or lower color diamonds.

Fluorescence in some instances might make the diamond look "milky or cloudy" but again this occurs very rarely (0.01% of the time). Because of this misconception these diamonds are usually sold at a discount.

We as dealers when buying fluorescence diamond online will always ask our supplier if a particular diamond has any milky or cloudy shade look. If it does we won't buy this diamond as it will hurt the overall look of a diamond.

If you want to read more about fluorescence and how it affects the overall look of the diamond, I will recommend checking the following links:

1. http://4csblog.gia.edu/2012/understanding-diamond-fluorescence

2. http://www.adiamondbuyingguide.com/diamond-fluorescence.html

Buying a diamond online can be more tedious than one realizes and one should always remember that even though there is lot of information out there and a lot of technologically advanced images, in the end, it is most important to deal with people you can trust so they can answer all your questions regarding color, clarity, & cut accurately.

No technology can ever beat a human eye observation!

I hope the above guide is helpful and if you have any additional questions please feel free to provide your comments below or send me a message at sales@thainativegems.com.

Thai Native Gems Diamond Search & Custom Engagement Ring service:

If you are in the market looking for the best diamond and custom hand made engagement ring. Contact Us. Let us know what your budget is and what you are looking for.

From this initial information, we will swiftly find and email you 4 to 5 center diamond options. Unlike other traditional or online dealers, I am not looking to sell you anything. But will provide you honest, frank and objective opinion in what we think is best in the budget you offer.

This service is free, and there absolutely no commitment to buy any of our suggestions. The only thing you have to do is not respond to our email and you won't hear from us again! So, you truly have nothing to lose!

How do we compile this diamond list? Our search process is provided below:

1) We first will contact our local diamond supply network and check if there are any stones that fit your requirement in Bangkok. We have over 50 contacts in Bangkok and will check ALL to make sure we can provide you the best deal.

2) If not satisfied, we will then check online through our extensive global network sifting through over 900,000+ diamonds. and will find you the best diamond. The only setback when choosing the diamond from this global list is, it can take one to two weeks to arrive to Bangkok.

What type engagement rings can you make and how are they made?

1) We usually set our engagement rings in 18k yellow or white gold or 950 platinum settings. Our rings are all hand-crafted and made by highly skilled Thai craftsmen.

Examples in some of the rings we made you can see on our YouTube channel and shown below:

YouTube Channel PLAY LIST

_____________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world

All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

You can learn more by clicking here or image below

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How to buy a diamond online in Bangkok or anywhere else?

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Buy diamond online in Bangkok - Article explains what diamond dealers check when purchasing a diamond online and how to verify all the 4Cs critera.

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Diamonds are easier to classify and buy then colored gemstones. This is due to being white in color plus having standardized 4Cs criteria.

Diamond's 4Cs are color, clarity, cut and carat weight.

For this post, I added one more "C" as a certificate. Certificate quality is also relevant in determining how much a diamond should cost.

The standard "color range" for white diamonds is "D" through "Z". "D" represents a diamond that is colorless. "Z" represents a diamond that has a yellow or brownish color shade.

As a rule, the closer a diamond is to colorless, the more valuable and rare it is.

White color diamonds are the most popular. Yet, there are more rare diamonds that have strong "other" color hue called fancy diamonds. The hues of these diamonds can compete with any color gemstones. These diamonds come in many different colors - red, pink, canary yellow, blue and green and are all prized.

An important aspect of the allure of diamonds is the way they sparkle. Sparkle is a result of how good the stone's cut grade is. The cut is base on the diamond's symmetry, polish, durability, and proportion of its parts. Cut grade also determines how light travels through the diamond and back to your eye.

Well cut diamond also have brilliance and shine. This is the result of light being refracted off all the facets which then exits the table or top part of the diamond.

IDEAL CUT VS POOR CUT DIAMONDS

A diamond cut in "ideal" proportions will allow the most light to exit through its table. This results in breathtaking brilliance and shimmer.

When the diamond cut is too shallow or too deep, a significant amount of light exits through the sides and bottom of the stone. This results in a lack of brilliance and scintillation.

There are also different types of diamond cuts and shown below. The most popular is, of course, the classical round brilliant which is the "ideal" diamond cut.

Clarity indentify a diamond's purity. It is normal for diamonds to have inclusions, small flaws, scratches or other minerals. The less inclusions a diamond has, the more valuable and beautiful it is.

The scale for grading diamond's clarity is:

Flawless - These diamonds do not have any inclusions and considered to be perfect.

Internally Flawless - These diamonds may have very minor blemishes on the outside surface of the stone.

VVS1, VVS2 - These diamonds have very, very small inclusions.

VS1, VS2 - These diamonds have very small inclusions.

SI1, SI2, SI3 - These diamonds have small inclusions.

I1, I2, I3 - These diamonds have flaws that can be seen with the human eye.

Carats refer to the size of the diamond. Each carat has one hundred points. The carat weight refers to the mass of a diamond.

For example, a diamond that is a 1/2 carat referred to as a 50-point diamond.
But bigger does not always mean better.
A fair cut two-carat diamond will not be as beautiful as a smaller excellent cut diamond.

Also, a large diamond that has poor color or clarity grade will be less attractive.

While a diamond can be the ultimate symbol of love. It also represents an investment in time, energy and money.

You need to feel confident in the integrity of your stone. Many consumers are now relying on a more precise document that evaluates the true value. The diamond certificate.

A diamond certificate is a report based on a gemological analysis of a specific stone. Certified gemologist from independent laboratories create these certificates.

The certificate will state your diamond's 4Cs: color, clarity, cut, carat weight.

Certificates also provide following information:

Diamond's shape

Measurements

Table and depth percentages

Polish and Symmetry Grade

Fluoresence

Some certificates may estimate the replacement value of the stone for insurance purposes. Finally, the certificate should include a detailed sketch of the diamond.

The most premium certificates in the diamond market are GIA. That is why it is the most priced one as well.

Other certificate companies are also respected and rank the following - HRD, IGI, EGL, etc.

Also, if you are feeling lazy in reading the above post, I would recommend to watch following GIA video. Video explains the 4Cs classification:

Thai Native Gems Diamond Search & Custom Engagement Ring service:

If you are in the market looking for the best diamond and custom hand made engagement ring in Bangkok, Thailand. Contact us and let us know what your budget is and what you are looking for.

From this initial information, we will swiftly find and email you 4 to 5 center diamond options to choose from that we feel fits your needs best. Unlike other traditional or online dealers, I am not looking to sell you anything, but will provide you honest, frank and objective opinion in what we think is best in the budget you offer.

This service is free, and there absolutely no commitment to buy any of our suggestions. The only thing you have to do is not respond to our email and you won't hear from us again! So, you truly have nothing to lose!

How do we compile this diamond list? Our search process is provided below:

1) We first will contact our local diamond supply network and check if there are any stones that fits your requirement in Bangkok, Thailand. We have over 50 contacts in Bangkok and will check ALL to make sure we can provide you the best deal.

2) If not satisfied, we will then check online through our extensive global network sifting through over 900,000+ diamonds and will find you the best diamond. The only setback when choosing the diamond from this global list is, it can take one to two weeks to arrive to Bangkok.

What type engagement rings can you make and how are they made?

1) We usually set our engagement rings in 18k yellow or white gold or 950 platinum settings. Our rings are all hand-crafted and made by highly skilled Thai craftsmen.

Examples in some of the rings we made you can see on our YouTube channel and shown below:

YouTube Channel PLAY LIST

_____________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world

All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

You can learn more by clicking here or image below

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Diamond Basic 101: The Diamond's 5Cs - Buy Gemstone Info

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Article explains Diamond's 5Cs - carat weight, color, clarity, cut & certificate. This standard is what we use to assess the value & quality of any diamond

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Video explanation between unheated ruby vs lead glass-filled ruby (composite ruby):

The second video shows different ruby treatments under a microscope

WHY KNOWING ABOUT RUBY TREATMENTS IS IMPORTANT?

Before buying any ruby it is important to know what type of treatment it has gone through.

Natural Rubies have different levels of treatment.

Natural (no treatment)

Heat Treatment to enhance color

Heat Flux Treatment to enhance color and clarity

Lead-Glass filled Treatment to change characteristics of a ruby

The more treatment the ruby goes through the lower the price gets!

The price can range from exceptionally expensive US$10,000+ per carat for unheated, natural rubies to US$5 per carat for lead-glass filled rubies.

Glass-filled rubies have flooded the gem market from traditional retail stores, online websites to sellers on eBay.

Simply checking the authenticity of the certificate and understanding the 'treatment' section, you can save thousands of dollars. This will also save you time and the harassment of getting scammed by the seller due to them not disclosing these facts to you.

I hope this guide will provide you with a basic understanding of the different types of ruby treatments.

I do want to emphasize that even if you read this guide, it does take years of experience seeing rubies to understand the different levels of treatments.

If there is any doubt about your purchase - "Even that slight 1% chance" - it is always best to recheck the stone from a reliable gemstone laboratory or trustworthy gem dealer.

RUBY TREATMENT GUIDE - UNHEATED, UNTREATED, COMPLETELY NATURAL RUBY

Natural Ruby that are NOT heated or treated are quite easy to check. You will only need to see through a microscope or gem loupe for natural or intact inclusions.

Natural Inclusions Are:

Intact, fine, needle-like Silk (rutile needles) intersecting at 60 degrees angle. In the same plane or other fine needles at near right angles.

Boehmite needles

Fingerprint inclusions

Angular, straight, or hexagonal growth zoning or banding

Straight, angular, and possible color zoning and color banding

Unaltered mineral inclusions, clear or opaque color, that might show angular faces

Intact two-phase inclusions

Below are some sample images of rubies with these characteristics. Please note that it does take some experience to check and verify if the ruby you are looking at is completely natural or not.

However, if you do have a great pair of eyes and can see these inclusions and NONE of the other inclusions described in the guide below, you can be sure that the ruby you have in hand is natural, unheated, and untreated, the rarest of all rubies!

Almost all rubies - 95% of rubies today - are heat-treated. There are different types and levels of heat treatment in rubies that can be classified from very slight to quite extreme.

Distinguishing these levels of treatment can also affect the price of a ruby dramatically.

Heat treatment is used to either develop or intensify a ruby's natural color. Higher levels of heat treatments can also improve the clarity of a ruby by removing or reducing inclusions and making them less visible.

The way this works is quite technical and I will not be explaining it in this guide. But you get an idea of why people heat treats rubies. They want an unattractive ruby to look a lot better, so it will be easier to sell.

Inclusions of "Normal Heat" Treatment Rubies Are:

Discoid fractures with tension halos. It looks like disk-like fractures with lace-like outer healing rims. This is caused by expansion of natural crystal inclusions.

Burned or altered mineral inclusions. With rounded, often whitish, "cotton" like or snowball" appearances

Broken silk or partially "reabsorbed" rutile needles

Ruptured two-phase inclusions and negative crystals

Sintered surface areas, especially around the girdle

Prices for normal or slightly heated rubies are still not cheap. Good ones can still cost upward of US$5,000 per carat.

However, before paying these high prices, PLEASE make sure the ruby which you are purchasing has not been subjected to newer or higher step treatments which are shown below.

This is because the price for higher treatment rubies can drop dramatically.

CERTIFICATION

A good way to double-check if the ruby is what is by asking your jeweler or gemstone wholesaler for a reliable certificate with the stone.

On a GRS certificate, it will state the ruby is only subject to H treatment, or H (a) is also acceptable. GIA will classify normal heat treatment as 'Heated.'

If it is written H(b) or below then you will know that the ruby has been subject to newer treatments and you should not pay the price for normal heat-treated ruby. GIA will classify higher levels of treatments as Heated (' Minor or Moderate or Significan t' Residue).

For all the GRS classification details, you can click on the following link: http://gemresearch.ch/enhancement-disclosure/

RUBY TREATMENT GUIDE - HEATED FLUX-HEALED RUBIES

The next more extreme level of treatment for rubies is called heated 'flux-healed' rubies. On reliable certificate providers as stated above they will indicate these rubies as H(b) or 'heated with residues.'

For this level of treatment, treaters add "foreign" material to the rubies by surrounding them with a flux-like material, which becomes molten at extremely high temperatures.

The dissolved flux will then fill the fractures and cavities from the open stone's surface which will then solidify into a glass-like substance.

This process improves the apparent clarity of the ruby, but because the composition of these materials is not completely "natural," the price for these rubies is substantially less.

The price is depended on how much residue is presented in the heated rubies. Most labs do classify the amount of residue by stating it as minor, moderate, or significant residues. For each level of treatment, the price will drop accordingly on average by almost 20% to 50% per carat.

Inclusions for Flux-Healed Rubies Are:

Flux inclusions are generally white and have glue or sticky look. But, it might also appear near-colorless, whitish, brownish, or yellow to orange. PLEASE NOTE: Even though these inclusions indicate flux induced by the heat process. There are also flux-growth synthetic rubies which are man-made stones and NOT natural rubies. For more details please read our next post on synthetic rubies.

RUBY TREATMENT GUIDE - LEAD-GLASS FILLED RUBIES (NEW TREATMENT OR "PHUA MAI" IN THAI)

The most aggressive type of ruby treatment that has flooded the markets is called lead-glass-filled rubies. The average prices for these rubies are usually US$ 5 per carat or less.

These stones are really not worth anything. This is because, in their natural state, the rough would have been an ugly, highly included brown color, which would NOT have been saleable if not with the help of this treatment.

How it works is usually this "bad" looking ruby - If you can call it ruby - is mixed with acid to remove mineralized inclusions making the stone texture soft and weak like a sponge.

If you hold the stone in this state it will crumble into powder. This material is then infused with leaded glass to give back the strength and apparent good looks.

For an average consumer, you would think this is a beautiful natural ruby, which I am getting in a cheap price or a good deal for.

The problem with this type of treatment is many as listed below:

These stones are not rubies anymore. It is a mixture of natural corundum and lead glass. Actually, most of these "rubies" have more lead glass in them.

Yet they are still being sold as natural rubies in major stores and/or some eBay or online dealers which makes this a major disclosure issue.

If the sellers actually disclose the treatments of these stones to their clients, the purchaser can then make a more informed decision on how much you should pay for this type of ruby.

VERY FRAGILE, CAREFUL WHILE SETTING

As it is not purely corundum anymore, this ruby can get ruined immediately if you give it without informing the ring setter. If the manufacturer torches the ring for resizing and it touches the stone with heat, it will crack.

If you re-plate your rhodium plate white gold ring it will destroy the stone. For natural rubies, you don't have to worry about any of the above issues.

Also, if you are not careful in wearing these "hybrid" rubies they will change over time.

For example, if you accidentally spill some lemon juice while eating, the stone will slowly decay in a few days. Therefore, your supposedly "beautiful" stone, will now look like it was thrown from a high-rise building.

Therefore, if you are in the market buying rubies it is very important to find out and check for these types of rubies.

Inclusions for Lead-Glass Filled Rubies Are:

Gas bubbles are sure indications of glass-filled rubies or synthetics. Usually very easy to spot under a microscope or a loupe with dark light background.

Blue and Orange flash effect along with structural fractures when put under a black light. It is also a key indicator of lead-glass filled rubies

Again, the best way to find out if the stone you are buying is lead-glass-filled rubies is by either having a great pair of eyes and check for the signs above or getting the stone certified by a reliable lab.

GRS certificates will classify these rubies as "Hybrid" Ruby. It will have the following comment "Heat-treated and filled with a foreign solid substance (including lead). Special care when handling.

Also known as "Composite Ruby."

I hope the above guide is helpful. If you have any additional questions. Please feel free to provide your comments below or send me a message at sales@thainativegems.com.
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Ruby Treatment Guide - Unheated, Heated, Flux-Filled, Lead-Glass Rubies

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Ruby Treatment Guide - Difference between natural, unheated, heated and glass-filled composite rubies. Affects Ruby Prices!

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How to Check your Diamond Ring's GIA Laser Inscription Under the Microscope?

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In the video tutorial I tried to explain the method I use to determine "How much does a one carat ruby cost?"

One carat ruby prices can range from US$10 to US$12,000

The method I used to determine the value is by first categorizing the stone based on the 4Cs + OT method.

The six criteria I have summarized in bullet form below:

HOW TO DETERMINE A VALUE OF A RUBY?

WHAT ARE 4C's + OT

Details for each criteria is provided below:

RUBY'S COLOR RANGE

Hue is the color range. Examples of Ruby's hue are

Saturation is the intensity of the hue presented in a ruby

Tone is how light or dark a gemstone is

Very light (closer to the white range) or Very Dark (closer to the black range)

The ideal color range for a ruby is red hue, high-intensity saturation & medium tone. In the trade this is called 'Pigeon Blood Rubies.' These are the most expensive rubies.

RUBY'S ORIGIN & TREATMENT

Origin from Most Expensive to Less Expensive

The price of origin is determined by the "origin's brand," amount of supply the mine is producing and the quality of gemstones coming out from that particular mine.
Please note, NOT all 100% untreated or unheated rubies are expensive. We still have to take into account other criteria to determine the price.
RUBY'S CLARITY RANGE

Inclusions - Eye Clean to Included

Fewer inclusions the more expensive the ruby is. The more inclusions a ruby has the more it hurts gem look and therefore affects the price.

Transparency - Transparent to Opaque

More transparent the ruby's crystal is the more expensive it is. Opaque rubies are considered very cheap as the crystal is not clear and therefore hurts the rubies' fire & sparkle.

RUBY'S CARAT WEIGHT and CUT GRADE

Carat Weight (Bigger the more expensive)

The bigger the ruby the more pricer it gets.

Cut Shape & Grade

Octagon, round and square-cut rubies, in general, are more expensive than common oval or cushion cut rubies. Marquise and pear shape cut rubies are usually cheaper. The cheapest cut rubies are cabochons (assuming they are not a 'star' ruby).

In terms of cut grade, the ideal cut range is 'proportional.' However, cut grade is not considered as important as color range, carat weight, origin & treatment.

IN CONCLUSION

Once we know the above criteria we can then start comparing the five rubies in the video.

The summary of the five rubies which I compared in the video (from left to right) is provided below. I also included one more ruby which I did not discuss in the video but is one most expensive one carat ruby we have sold recently.

1.07 carats Oval Burma Ruby (Flux-Residue Treatment)

Total Price - US$2,150

1.00 carats Round Burma Ruby (Normal Heat Treatment)

Total Price - US$2,300

1.00 carats Oval Mozambique Ruby (No Treatment)

Total Price - US$2,500

1.01 carats Marquise Mozambique Ruby (No Treatment)

Total Price - US$100

3.00 carats Oval Mozambique Ruby (Glass-Filled Ruby)

Total Price - US$20

[NOT IN VIDEO] -

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmu4PrcDcUT/

1.03 carats Round Burma Ruby (No Treatment)

Total Price - US$12,000

_______________________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.

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Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world

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We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

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How much does a one carat ruby cost? [Video] - Buy Gemstone Info

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Video tutorial explaining my method to determine "How much does a one carat ruby cost?" One carat ruby prices range from US$10 to US$12,000

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Is ruby cheaper than a diamond?

While diamonds are certainly beautiful, arguably they are not that unique. Well, most diamonds.

Gemstones have a wider range in terms of color profiles as well as uniqueness and have become a preferred choice amongst a lot of people and ruby is on top of this list.

There are various factors apart from desirability when it comes to choosing between the ruby and the diamond, but price plays a big factor.

So, let us get back to the main question, "Is ruby cheaper than diamond?

Generally speaking, no one can say with absolute certainty that one is more expensive than the other unless they have looked into all the factors that determine its price.

So let's talk about these various factors:

IS RUBY CHEAPER THAN DIAMOND FACTORS

1. RARITY

The gem, whether a diamond or ruby can command a higher price depending on how rare it is and how difficult it is to source it. Diamonds are found more abundantly as compared to Rubies. The scarcity of rubies (especially over 1-carat weight) can definitely drive up the price of the ruby.

Exceptions: Colored Diamonds are very rare and can be sold at very high prices.

You can find "100 D Flawless" Diamonds, but it is very difficult to find 10 perfectly factored Rubies.

2. QUALITY

The price of both Diamonds and Rubies can be influenced by their quality.

For diamonds, the 4 C's, Carat weight, Clarity, Cut, and Color all play a role to determine its value.

When it comes to Rubies we look at six factors which we call 4C's + OT. The most important are Color, Origin, and Treatment which determine its price.

3. ORIGIN

The price of diamonds is not based on where it is mined. Although origin can be determined based on information provided to testing institutes of the rough stones before cutting and polishing, this is just to help with where the diamond was sourced from and to know whether it has been mined responsibly and it generally does not affect the price but it may appeal to your personal sensibilities.

On the contrary, the price of rubies is most certainly dependent on their origin. Rubies sourced from Burma are considered the finest in the world and command the highest prices. However, other countries such as Thailand, Madagascar, and Vietnam also produce high-quality rubies at a more affordable price.

4. TREATMENTS

Both diamonds and rubies can be treated to improve their color and clarity. These treatments bring down the price of the gemstone.

Natural gemstones without any treatment or negligible treatments command a higher price than treated gemstones.

If the gemstone has color or clarity-enhancing treatments, reputable gem labs like GIA, GRS etc will mention that they are treated.

If you want to know more about treatments on rubies you can read our blog post here

And to know more about treatments on diamonds, you can read this article on the GIA website.

5. CERTIFICATE

Today most people selling or buying a diamond or a ruby rely on a good certificate from a reputable gem lab to determine its price.

The certificate builds trust and focuses on the above-discussed factors to determine the quality of the gemstone and its origin which lays the foundation to subsequently ascertain the asking price and buying price.

6. DEMAND AND SUPPLY

In 1888, the pricing of diamonds was being controlled by big corporations like De Beers who held the monopoly of the world's diamond supply that therefore resulted in them controlling diamond prices.

With time that has changed and now diamond prices, although not fixed, follow a set standard based on grading as discussed above and guidelines set by online global marketplaces like RapNet that help moderate prices creating more transparency for sourcing and selling diamonds.

The demand and supply of diamonds directly influence the price of diamonds as well.

On the contrary, Rubies do not have a standardized pricing as they are rare and the price is based on what the seller wants to price the gemstone at, over and above the above-mentioned factors.

Diamond prices do go up and down regularly, and since most diamonds are not rare, the stone once bought will have a similar or slightly lower resale value. However, due to price transparency, it is easier to liquidate or sell a diamond.

In comparison, a top-grade investment Ruby with all the above factors in check will always increase in value.

IS RUBY CHEAPER THAN DIAMOND - ACTUAL PRICE COMPARISON

For this comparison, I have decided to compare diamonds and rubies which most consumers consider buying (This is my opinion based on my 15 years of experience).

Generally, consumers prefer the middle range color or clarity range for diamonds, which are I-color, VS1-clarity range, and top make grade which we call 'Triple Excellent.' So these diamonds are white, clean, and sparkly enough for the average consumer.

For rubies, Mozambique origin currently is easier to source and a lot more reasonably priced than the Burma equivalent. So, for this comparison, I have focused on Top 'Vivid Red,' Unheated, well-cut Oval shape, Mozambique Rubies.

I have also included top 'investment' grade Burma rubies which are exceptionally difficult to source and almost impossible to find. The price for these rubies are very subjective as just finding 'two' to compare is impossible. Anyways, I have provided some price estimates below.

1 CARAT RUBY V/S 1 CARAT DIAMOND 3 CARAT RUBY V/S 3 CARAT DIAMOND

US$3,000 to US$3,500 for the Mozambique Ruby price

US$36,000 to US$39,000 for ruby

US$5,000 to US$5,500 for Diamond Price

US$40,000 for a diamond

US$20,000 for Burma Ruby

US$300,000 or more for Burma Ruby

To conclude, as you can see above, even after restricting the criteria of rubies or diamonds the price ranges between the two are quite 'broad' and we have to take into account many factors to determine the correct price.

Is ruby cheaper than a diamond? Not an easy question to answer.

For more prices on 'different' diamond sizes and quality, I do recommend checking our previous blog post here: https://www.buygemstone.info/how-much-does-it-cost-to-buy-a-0-50-carat-or-1-carat-or-2-carat-diamond-ring-in-bangkok-thailand/

Also, if you would like to contact us or have any questions feel free to email us at sales@thainativegems.com

Thai Native Gems Gemstone Search & Custom Engagement Ring service (Best way to buy gemstones in Bangkok):

If you are in the market looking for the best gemstone and custom handmade engagement ring - Contact Us - and let us know what your budget is and what you are looking for.

From this initial information, we will swiftly find and email you gemstone options available in the market right now. Unlike other traditional or online dealers, I am not looking to sell you anything. We will provide you honest, frank, and objective opinion on what we think is best in the budget you offer.

This service is free, and there absolutely no commitment to buy any of our suggestions. The only thing you have to do is not respond to our email and you won't hear from us again! So, you truly have nothing to lose!

How do we compile this gemstone list? Our search process is provided below:

1) We first will contact our local gemstone supply network and check if there are any stones that fit your requirement in Bangkok. We have over 50 contacts in Bangkok and will check ALL to make sure we can provide you with the best deal.

2) If not satisfied, we will then check online through our extensive global network sifting though we usually do this in last resort as we prefer seeing the gemstone in person to make sure the color is accurate and as described.

What type of engagement rings can you make and how are they made?

1) We usually set our engagement rings in 18k yellow or white gold or 950 platinum settings. Our rings are all hand-crafted and made by highly skilled Thai craftsmen.

Examples in some of the rings we made you can see on our YouTube channel and are shown below:

YouTube Channel PLAY LIST

_____________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/.

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world.

All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified.

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach.

You can learn more by clicking here.

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Is Ruby Cheaper than a Diamond? Now that's a Complicated Question.

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Is ruby cheaper than a diamond? We look at six factors - rarity, quality, origin, treatments, certificate & demand to determine the winner.

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Another common question which always comes to us is "How much does it cost to buy a Burma ruby in Bangkok?" " Shouldn't it be cheaper to buy the rubies at the source in Myanmar like at Mogok or Mong Hsu instead of coming to Bangkok?" " Why will the rubies be cheaper in Bangkok?"

All these questions are valid and I will try tackling all of them in this blog article.

So, first let us answer the questions which I have already discussed in my previous popular blog articles regarding why it is cheaper to buy rubies or other gemstones in Bangkok than in Myanmar or anywhere else in the world. I have answered these points in this post - How to Buy Gemstones in Bangkok, Thailand?

In summary, it is the cheapest to buy rubies in Bangkok because it is still the largest, most liquid and major market in trading color gemstones. Best way to find this out is by doing a simple search on eBay. You will still find Thai dealers having the most stock of rubies compared to any other country. Now this doesn't mean the stones presented are genuine or much better than anywhere else.

However, the fact won't change that it is still the largest market in cut polished Burmese rubies and therefore you will get the most competitive and best deal here.

How do we determine what is the correct price for any ruby?

Like any gemstones ruby prices are determined by 4Cs - carat weight, color, clarity and cut - color by far being the most important factor and carat weight second most. I would also like to add two more very important factors that determine ruby prices, which are a) ruby origin and b) type of treatment the ruby has gone through.

You can think of ruby price criteria as 4Cs plus OT .

In this post, I will be focusing on Burmese rubies origin, which is still considered the most prized in the world due to its long history in producing very expensive and important stones.

It is still believed that Burmese rubies has the most "vibrant red" color. Though this is true for the important stones, nowadays these high quality rubies are getting rarer & exceptionally very expensive due to reduced supply and high demand.

Burma rubies which are now traded in the market, I will consider more commercial grade, but are still priced really high as people still want a Burma ruby in their collection.

Regarding type of treatments natural rubies can have, I have already discussed this in my other very popular blog post - Ruby Treatment Guide

The simple rule is - if the ruby is subject to more treatment/s, the cheaper it will become.

This is a fact for any type of ruby, Burmese origin or any other origin. Now regarding how price is determined using the 4cs criteria details is provided below:

To classify color for any gemstone including rubies you have to look at three factors; hue, saturation and tone.

Hue is the color range: - i.e. Red, Purple, Orange, Pinkish-Red etc.

Saturation is the intensity of the hue presented in a gemstone: - i.e. 100% is pure color or 0% is gray color.

Tone is how light or dark a gemstone is: - i.e. Very light (closer to white range) or Very Dark (closer to black range).

By definition for corundum (the family name for rubies or sapphires) to be classified as a ruby the color of the corundum has to be between medium orangey-red to purplish-red.

The dominate color needs to be red or else the corundum will be called either as an orange, or pink or purple sapphire according to GIA or other certification lab.

In terms of price, the most expensive rubies are in a very specific color range called "vivid pigeon's blood red."

List of most expensive to least expensive ruby hue range is listed below:

On the list above, I have listed Pinkish-Red above Purplish-Red rubies, but again this really depends on what your preference is and the location you are acquiring the ruby from.

In Asia, most people prefer the pinkish-red ruby because they find the tone for these stone to be "lighter or brighter" and they are also a more common characteristic for Burma rubies.

While in the Western hemisphere, most people prefer purplish-red ruby because they believe it reinforces the "real red" darker color of a ruby. This trait was more common in Thai Rubies.

Burmese rubies come in all colors, but the most prized are the ones above Pinkish-Red hue with combination of highest saturation (100% range) and medium color tone.
The lower the saturation is and/or the more away the medium tone - i.e. towards the very light or very dark range -the cheaper ruby gets.

The larger the carat weight, the more expensive the ruby will become. Once Burma rubies start crossing 4 carat size they start becoming quite rare.

The more included the ruby are the cheaper it will become. Again this depends on type of inclusions the ruby have.

Most Burmese rubies come with very fine silk inclusions which actually enhances the vibrant color of the ruby. So, these types of inclusions are a positive if it doesn't affect the overall look of the gemstone.

But, black crystals or surface reaching fractures or residue inside the ruby does reduce the price dramatically, so you have to take this into account.

The more proportional, symmetrical or uniform a ruby gemstone is, the more expensive it will become.

This is actually the least important factor for a ruby because large rubies crystals are very hard to come by and usually ruby cutters try to retain the maximum weight, so they it can sell a "larger ruby."

However, rubies which are "too flat" or "too bottom heavy" are usually sold in discount as this reduces the overall look of the gemstone.

Real Example in how much a 4 carat Burma Ruby can cost?

Below is an email which I sent a client recently for Burma Ruby options. You will notice I have listed the 4Cs plus OT criteria within the Table format below and images are included.

As you can see from the three options there is quite a large difference in prices due to many factors which has been explained in the email below.

Email on January 22, 2014.
Finally, today I did come across a few 4 carats Burma Ruby options which might interest you. The first two are certified by GRS (the GIA certification of color gemstones) and confirmed to be Burma ruby.

While the last ruby is guaranteed by gemstone supplier to be a Burma ruby and we can verify this with the lab if you are interested. The first two rubies are heated with normal heat treatment (called H (a)) and have no foreign substance or chemicals inside.

While the last one even though it is the cheapest, I did notice a "big hole" or dent in the back of the ruby which is a common trait for Burma ruby, so it can retain its weight.

There was flux residue present inside the ruby which means when this ruby was heated, the treater introduced foreign substance (residue), so the substance can enter the ruby crystal to "mask" the internal inclusions of the ruby and improve overall look.

Again very common trait for Burma "heated" rubies. This type of ruby is usually classified as H (b) treatment.

From the three Burma options I do prefer the first one (Burma Option One) in terms of overall color, cut and being more clean. This also explains why this one is more expensive.

FIRST BURMA OPTION IMAGES:

Price for Burma Option One: - 4.01 carats is US$48,000 (US$12,000 per carat)

SECOND BURMA OPTION IMAGES:

Price for Burma Option Two: - 4.03 carats is US$40,000 (US$10,000 per carat)

THIRD BURMA OPTION IMAGES:

Price for Burma Option Three: - 4.03 carats is US$3,700 per carat or total price of US$14,900 for the stone.

I hope the above guide is helpful and if you have any additional questions please feel free to provide your comments below or send me a message at sales@thainativegems.com.
_________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world

All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

You can learn more by clicking here or image below

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How much does it cost to buy Natural Burma Ruby in Bangkok, Thailand?

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How much does Burma Ruby Cost? We compare four actual Burma rubies base on carat weight, color, clarity, cut and treatment levels to determine the price.

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In this video tutorial, I have tried to explain the method I use to determine "How much does a 3-carat Unheated Vivid Red Mozambique ruby cost? and show the 'type of inclusions' a typical unheated Mozambique ruby will have. For reference purposes, I have used two 3-carat rubies.

Both these rubies which are 3 carat each, are, GRS certified, vivid red 'pigeon-blood' unheated from Mozambique and cost US$27,000 (or around US$9,000 per carat).

The method I use to determine the value of any gemstone is by first categorizing the stone based on the 4Cs + OT method.

The six criteria I have summarized in bullet form below:

HOW TO DETERMINE A VALUE OF A RUBY?

To read more about this method I would recommend reading my blog post: https://www.buygemstone.info/how-much-does-a-one-carat-ruby-cost-video/

Both the rubies GRS Certificate copies are provided below, which states four criteria like 'carat weight, color grade, origin, and treatment level.'

Clarity and cut grade must be determine by the naked eye as the labs does not provide this detail. This will effect the gemstones brilliance, sparkle and scintillation.

Clarity (Two criteria) -

Inclusions - 80 to 90% Eye-clean or 'Moderate Inclusions'

Transparency - 100% Transparent and not cloudy (not translucent or opaque)

Cut Grade -

Very Good for both rubies

There are some dents in 3.06 carats cushion ruby in the back - though this is normal for above 3-carat rubies. If the dents were fully removed the stone will drop below 3 carats and the price will drop accordingly as well.

TYPE OF NATURAL INCLUSIONS MOZAMBIQUE RUBIES HAVE

Both rubies have typical natural inclusions seen in Mozambique rubies which are:

Mica inclusions - the "cloudy" looking white inclusion

Amphibole crystals - the small inclusions everywhere

Pargasite crystal - the black color inclusions

Chalcopyrite crystal - the beautiful large '3D' looking crystal

Rutile silk inclusions - two types 'zoned cloud of fine particles' and 'well developed needles.'

Video shows all the above inclusions. Also, I have provided some images of these inclusions below.

Other resources to see typical Mozambique rubies inclusions I recommend checking the following websites:

_______________________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds, and custom jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world.

All stones sold by us are verified in-house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or are certified.

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

You can learn more by clicking here or image below
What will you get if you contact us

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How much and What Type of Inclusions does a GRS Certified 3-carat Unheated Vivid Red Pigeon Blood Mozambique Ruby have? [Video] - Buy Gemstone Info

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Video tutorial explaining How much a GRS Certified Unheated Pigeon Blood 3 carat Mozambique Ruby Costs with microscope images & videos.

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How much does a one carat ruby cost?  - Comprehensive Guide discussing 4Cs plus Origin & Treatment

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How much and what type of inclusions does a 3-carat Unheated Pigeon Blood Mozambique Ruby have?

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How to tell the difference between Unheated Ruby & Lead Glass Filled Ruby?

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How to Check Synthetic Ruby Under a Microscope - Curved Striae, Gas Bubbles, and Quench Crackled

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Is ruby cheaper than a diamond?

While diamonds are certainly beautiful, arguably they are not that unique. Well, most diamonds.

Gemstones have a wider range in terms of color profiles as well as uniqueness and have become a preferred choice amongst a lot of people and ruby is on top of this list.

There are various factors apart from desirability when it comes to choosing between the ruby and the diamond, but price plays a big factor.

So, let us get back to the main question, "Is ruby cheaper than diamond?

Generally speaking, no one can say with absolute certainty that one is more expensive than the other unless they have looked into all the factors that determine its price.

So let's talk about these various factors:

IS RUBY CHEAPER THAN DIAMOND FACTORS

1. RARITY

The gem, whether a diamond or ruby can command a higher price depending on how rare it is and how difficult it is to source it. Diamonds are found more abundantly as compared to Rubies. The scarcity of rubies (especially over 1-carat weight) can definitely drive up the price of the ruby.

Exceptions: Colored Diamonds are very rare and can be sold at very high prices.

You can find "100 D Flawless" Diamonds, but it is very difficult to find 10 perfectly factored Rubies.

2. QUALITY

The price of both Diamonds and Rubies can be influenced by their quality.

For diamonds, the 4 C's, Carat weight, Clarity, Cut, and Color all play a role to determine its value.

When it comes to Rubies we look at six factors which we call 4C's + OT. The most important are Color, Origin, and Treatment which determine its price.

3. ORIGIN

The price of diamonds is not based on where it is mined. Although origin can be determined based on information provided to testing institutes of the rough stones before cutting and polishing, this is just to help with where the diamond was sourced from and to know whether it has been mined responsibly and it generally does not affect the price but it may appeal to your personal sensibilities.

On the contrary, the price of rubies is most certainly dependent on their origin. Rubies sourced from Burma are considered the finest in the world and command the highest prices. However, other countries such as Thailand, Madagascar, and Vietnam also produce high-quality rubies at a more affordable price.

4. TREATMENTS

Both diamonds and rubies can be treated to improve their color and clarity. These treatments bring down the price of the gemstone.

Natural gemstones without any treatment or negligible treatments command a higher price than treated gemstones.

If the gemstone has color or clarity-enhancing treatments, reputable gem labs like GIA, GRS etc will mention that they are treated.

If you want to know more about treatments on rubies you can read our blog post here

And to know more about treatments on diamonds, you can read this article on the GIA website.

5. CERTIFICATE

Today most people selling or buying a diamond or a ruby rely on a good certificate from a reputable gem lab to determine its price.

The certificate builds trust and focuses on the above-discussed factors to determine the quality of the gemstone and its origin which lays the foundation to subsequently ascertain the asking price and buying price.

6. DEMAND AND SUPPLY

In 1888, the pricing of diamonds was being controlled by big corporations like De Beers who held the monopoly of the world's diamond supply that therefore resulted in them controlling diamond prices.

With time that has changed and now diamond prices, although not fixed, follow a set standard based on grading as discussed above and guidelines set by online global marketplaces like RapNet that help moderate prices creating more transparency for sourcing and selling diamonds.

The demand and supply of diamonds directly influence the price of diamonds as well.

On the contrary, Rubies do not have a standardized pricing as they are rare and the price is based on what the seller wants to price the gemstone at, over and above the above-mentioned factors.

Diamond prices do go up and down regularly, and since most diamonds are not rare, the stone once bought will have a similar or slightly lower resale value. However, due to price transparency, it is easier to liquidate or sell a diamond.

In comparison, a top-grade investment Ruby with all the above factors in check will always increase in value.

IS RUBY CHEAPER THAN DIAMOND - ACTUAL PRICE COMPARISON

For this comparison, I have decided to compare diamonds and rubies which most consumers consider buying (This is my opinion based on my 15 years of experience).

Generally, consumers prefer the middle range color or clarity range for diamonds, which are I-color, VS1-clarity range, and top make grade which we call 'Triple Excellent.' So these diamonds are white, clean, and sparkly enough for the average consumer.

For rubies, Mozambique origin currently is easier to source and a lot more reasonably priced than the Burma equivalent. So, for this comparison, I have focused on Top 'Vivid Red,' Unheated, well-cut Oval shape, Mozambique Rubies.

I have also included top 'investment' grade Burma rubies which are exceptionally difficult to source and almost impossible to find. The price for these rubies are very subjective as just finding 'two' to compare is impossible. Anyways, I have provided some price estimates below.

1 CARAT RUBY V/S 1 CARAT DIAMOND 3 CARAT RUBY V/S 3 CARAT DIAMOND

US$3,000 to US$3,500 for the Mozambique Ruby price

US$36,000 to US$39,000 for ruby

US$5,000 to US$5,500 for Diamond Price

US$40,000 for a diamond

US$20,000 for Burma Ruby

US$300,000 or more for Burma Ruby

To conclude, as you can see above, even after restricting the criteria of rubies or diamonds the price ranges between the two are quite 'broad' and we have to take into account many factors to determine the correct price.

Is ruby cheaper than a diamond? Not an easy question to answer.

For more prices on 'different' diamond sizes and quality, I do recommend checking our previous blog post here: https://www.buygemstone.info/how-much-does-it-cost-to-buy-a-0-50-carat-or-1-carat-or-2-carat-diamond-ring-in-bangkok-thailand/

Also, if you would like to contact us or have any questions feel free to email us at sales@thainativegems.com

Thai Native Gems Gemstone Search & Custom Engagement Ring service (Best way to buy gemstones in Bangkok):

If you are in the market looking for the best gemstone and custom handmade engagement ring - Contact Us - and let us know what your budget is and what you are looking for.

From this initial information, we will swiftly find and email you gemstone options available in the market right now. Unlike other traditional or online dealers, I am not looking to sell you anything. We will provide you honest, frank, and objective opinion on what we think is best in the budget you offer.

This service is free, and there absolutely no commitment to buy any of our suggestions. The only thing you have to do is not respond to our email and you won't hear from us again! So, you truly have nothing to lose!

How do we compile this gemstone list? Our search process is provided below:

1) We first will contact our local gemstone supply network and check if there are any stones that fit your requirement in Bangkok. We have over 50 contacts in Bangkok and will check ALL to make sure we can provide you with the best deal.

2) If not satisfied, we will then check online through our extensive global network sifting though we usually do this in last resort as we prefer seeing the gemstone in person to make sure the color is accurate and as described.

What type of engagement rings can you make and how are they made?

1) We usually set our engagement rings in 18k yellow or white gold or 950 platinum settings. Our rings are all hand-crafted and made by highly skilled Thai craftsmen.

Examples in some of the rings we made you can see on our YouTube channel and are shown below:

YouTube Channel PLAY LIST

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Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
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All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified.

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach.

You can learn more by clicking here.

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Is Ruby Cheaper than a Diamond? Now that's a Complicated Question.

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Is ruby cheaper than a diamond? We look at six factors - rarity, quality, origin, treatments, certificate & demand to determine the winner.

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Video explanation between unheated sapphire vs heated sapphire (rutile silk):

WHY KNOWING ABOUT SAPPHIRE TREATMENTS IS IMPORTANT?

Before buying any sapphire it is important to know what type of treatment it has gone through.

Sapphires have different levels of treatment.

Natural (no treatment)

Heat Treatment to enhance color

Lattice Diffusion to enhance color aggressively

Lead-Glass filled Treatment to change characteristics of a sapphire

The more treatment the sapphire goes through the cheaper it gets!

The price for blue sapphires can range from US$5,000+ per carat for unheated sapphires to US$3 per carat for lattice-diffused sapphires.

Lattice-diffused-sapphires have flooded the gem market from traditional retail stores, online websites to sellers on eBay.

Simply checking the authenticity of the certificate and understanding the 'treatment' section, you can save thousands of dollars. This will also save you time and the harassment of getting scammed by the seller due to them not disclosing these facts to you.

I hope this guide will provide you with a basic understanding of the different types of sapphire treatments.

I do want to emphasize that even by reading this guide, it does take years of experience looking at sapphires to understand the different levels of treatments.

If there is any doubt about your purchase - "Even that slight 1% chance" - it is always best to recheck the stone from a reliable gemstone laboratory or trustworthy gem dealer.

SAPPHIRE TREATMENT GUIDE - UNHEATED, UNTREATED, COMPLETELY NATURAL SAPPHIRE

Natural Sapphire that is NOT heated or treated is easy to check. You only need to see the sapphire through a microscope or gem loupe for natural intact inclusions.

Natural Inclusions Are:

Intact, fine, needle-like Silk (rutile needles) intersecting at 60 degrees angle. In the same plane or other fine needles at near right angles.

Fingerprint inclusions.

Angular, straight, or hexagonal growth zoning or banding.

Straight, angular, and possible color zoning and color banding.

Unaltered mineral inclusions, clear or opaque color, that might show angular faces.

Intact two-phase inclusions.

Below are some sample images of sapphires with these characteristics. Please note that it does take some practice to check if the sapphire is natural or not.

However, if you do see these inclusions and NONE of the other inclusions shown below. You know the sapphire you have is natural, unheated, and untreated, the rarest of all sapphires!

Almost all sapphires (95% of them) today are heat-treated. There are different levels of heat treatment in sapphires that can be classified from very slight to quite extreme. The more aggressive the treatment the more the price drops.

Heat treatment is used to either or a sapphire's natural color.

Heat treatment can also improve the clarity of sapphire. This is done by removing or reducing inclusions and making them less visible.

The way this works is quite technical and I will not be explaining it in this guide. But you get an idea of why people heat-treat their sapphires. To make them easier to sell.

Inclusions of "Normal Heat" Treatment Are:

Discoid fractures with tension halos. Looks like disk-like fractures with lace-like outer healing rims. This is caused by the expansion of natural crystal inclusions.

Burned or altered mineral inclusions. With rounded, often whitish, "cotton" like or snowball" appearances.

Broken silk or partially "reabsorbed" rutile needles.

Ruptured two-phase inclusions and negative crystals.

Sintered surface areas, especially around the girdle.

Prices for normal or slightly heated sapphires are still not cheap. Good ones can still cost upwards of US$3,000 per carat.

However, before paying these high prices, PLEASE make sure the sapphire you are purchasing has not gone through the higher treatments shown below.

CERTIFICATION

The fastest way to verify if your sapphire has not been subject to higher treatments is by asking your jeweler or gemstone dealer for a reliable third-party certificate.

On a GRS certificate, it will state the sapphire is only subject to "H" treatment, or "H (a)" is also acceptable. GIA will classify this level of treatment as 'Heated.'

If GRS writes H (Be) or the newer glass-filled sapphire treatment. Or if GIA writes titanium diffusion, lattice diffusion of beryllium, or led-glass treatment. Then you know that the sapphire has been subject to higher treatments, which means it will command a much lower price.

For all the GRS classification details. You can click on the following link: http://gemresearch.ch/enhancement-disclosure/

SAPPHIRE TREATMENT GUIDE - LATTICE DIFFUSION TREATED CORUNDUM

Extreme heat treatment which induces foreign materials in sapphires is the next level of treatment for blue sapphires. This is called lattice diffusion. On reliable certificate providers, they will indicate these new treatment sapphires as H(Be), titanium diffusion, and lattice diffusion of beryllium.

Treaters add this "foreign" material into the sapphires by heating them at extreme temperatures. They then diffuse substances like beryllium (light element) or titanium (heavy elements) into it.

These elements help enhances the blue sapphire color. Which makes the stone look more vivid or blue compared to its original state. As these elements are introduced by man, this makes diffused-treated sapphires less rare and worth substantially less.

Indications for Diffused-Treated Sapphires Are:

LATTICE DIFFUSION WITH HEAVY ELEMENTS:

Color concentrations along facet junctions and girdle edge

Localized or blotchy color that "bleeds" into pits and surface-reaching fractures

The above features are best seen through the gem's pavilion. Gem faced upside down or bottom face towards you. Then immersed in water and diffused light under it. This allows you to see the fact junctions without the distraction of the sparkle of the gemstone

LATTICE DIFFUSION WITH BERYLLIUM

This light element is diffused in the sapphire. To remove or lighten the blue color in too dark sapphires.

While doing the treatment, there might be some traces of yellow color in the stone's interior. This "yellow color" can be removed with subsequent heat treatment. That will make the sapphire "retain" its blue color and thus make it more marketable.

Magnification and water immersion. As indicated lattice diffusion with heavy elements. Might reveal a colorless zone around the outside of an otherwise blue stone.

Examples of how diffusion sapphires are checked are provided below. The price for these sapphires is substantially cheaper. Ranging from US$1 to US$20 per carat. This is because new elements have been introduced by man. This makes these undesirable common gray or brown sapphires more attractive and marketable to sell.

SAPPHIRE TREATMENT GUIDE - LEAD-GLASS SAPPHIRES (CALLED "PHUA MAI" IN THAI)

The most aggressive treatment a natural sapphire can go through is called lead-glass-filled sapphires.

If you do find a sapphire that is written on the certificate as "composite sapphire," then you will know this is a lead-glass filled and the average price is US$ 3 per carat or less.

These stones are not worth anything. This is because, in their natural rough state, they would have been an ugly, highly included gray color.

These stones are treated the same way the corundum cousin "ruby" is treated. Please be careful with these types of stones. Y ou might think this is a beautiful natural sapphire, that I am getting a cheap price for.

The problem with this type of treatment is many as listed below.

NOT NATURAL SAPPHIRE ANYMORE

These stones are not sapphires anymore. It is a mixture of natural corundum and lead glass. Actually, most of these sapphires have more lead glass in them. Yet they are still being sold as natural sapphires, which makes this a major disclosure issue.

If the seller actually discloses the treatment, the purchaser can then make an informed decision on how much they should pay for it.

VERY FRAGILE, CAREFUL WHILE SETTING

Composite sapphires can get ruined immediately, if not disclosed to the jewelry setter. If the manufacturer torches the ring for resizing and the heat touches the stone, it will crack.

Also, if you re-plate your rhodium plate white gold ring it will destroy the stone. For natural sapphires, you don't have to worry about any of the above issues.

Also, if you are not careful in wearing these sapphires they will change over time.

For example, if you accidentally spill some lemon juice while eating, the stone will slowly decay in a few days. Your "beautiful" stone, will now look like it was thrown from a high-rise building after this mishap.

So, if you are in the market buying blue sapphires, it is important to check for this type of treatment.

Inclusions for Lead-Glassed Sapphires Are:

Gas bubbles are sure indications of glass-filled sapphires or synthetics. Usually easy to spot under the microscope or gem loupe with dark light background.

Blue and Orange flash effect along with structural fractures when put under a black light. Is also a key indicator of lead-glass filled sapphires

The best way to check if you have a lead-glass-filled sapphire is by having a great pair of eyes or by getting it certified by a reliable lab.

GIA AND GRS CLASSIFICATION

GRS certificates will classify these sapphires as "Hybrid"- Corundum and will have the following comment. "Heat-treated and filled with a foreign solid substance (including lead). Special care when handling. Also known as Composite Sapphire" GIA will also classify these stones as composite sapphires.

I hope the above guide is helpful. If you have any additional questions please feel free to provide your comments below. Or send me a message at sales@thainativegems.com.
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Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds, and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
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Blue Sapphire Treatment Guide - Natural, Heated, Diffused Sapphire

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Blue sapphire treatment guide explaining the difference between natural, no treatment sapphire with heated or new treatment diffused or glass lead sapphires

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In the video above, I compared the prices between one unheated (100% natural) and two heated GRS certified 4 to 5 carat, Vivid 'Royal Blue' Sri Lankan Sapphire.

All three sapphires are 4 to 5 carat each, are GRS certified, vivid 'royal blue' from Sri Lanka. The cost difference is between unheated stone and two heated - The unheated sapphire cost is US$8,000 per carat while the two heated stones cost is US$3,500 per carat

The method I use to determine the value of any gemstone is by first categorizing the stone based on the 4Cs + OT method.

The six criteria I have summarized in bullet form are below.

All three stones have similar criteria as indicated in GRS certification:

HOW TO DETERMINE A VALUE OF A SAPPHIRE?

All three sapphire's GRS Certificate copies are provided below, which states four criteria like 'carat weight, color grade, origin, and treatment level.'

Treatment levels -

No Indication of thermal treatment which means 100% natural unheated sapphire (4.06 carat stone)

H - which means normal heat treatment (for two stones - 4.14 carats & 5.12 carats)

Clarity and cut grade must be determine by the naked eye as the labs does not provide this detail. This will effect the gemstones brilliance, sparkle and scintillation.

Clarity (Two criteria) -

Inclusions - 90 to 100% Eye-clean or 'Very Slight' Inclusions

Transparency - 100% Transparent and not cloudy (not translucent or opaque)

PRICE BREAKDOWN:

4.06 carats - unheated sapphire - US$8,000 per carat or US$32,480

4.14 carats - heated sapphire - US$3,500 per carat or US$14,490

5.12 cates - heated sapphire - US$3,500 per carat or US$17,920

TYPE OF NATURAL INCLUSIONS SRI LANKAN SAPPHIRES HAVE - UNHEATED VS HEATED

UNHEATED - No indication of heat treatment inclusions in Sri Lanka Sapphire

Intact, fine, needle-like Silk (rutile needles) intersecting at 60 degrees angle.

Unaltered mineral inclusions, crystals, and needles

Video shows all the above inclusions. Also, I have provided some images of these inclusions below.

HEATED - Normal Heat Treatment inclusions in Sri Lanka Sapphire

Broken silk or partially "reabsorbed" rutile needles

Inkspots from the heating process

I have provided some images of these inclusions below.

Other resources to see typical Sri Lankan inclusions I recommend checking the following websites:

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Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds, and custom jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world.

All stones sold by us are verified in-house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or are certified.

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

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What will you get if you contact us

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How Much and What Type of Inclusions does a GRS Certified 4 to 5 carat Unheated & Heated Vivid Blue Royal Blue Sri Lanka Sapphire have? [Video] - Buy Gemstone Info

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Video comparing Unheated & Heated GRS certified 4 to 5 carat, Vivid 'Royal Blue' Sri Lankan Sapphire. Discuss Pricing & Type of Inclusions

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In our previous blog posts, we have discussed how to determine the value of colored gemstones. In summary, colored gemstones value affected by six factors.

However, certain gemstones actually exhibit different phenomena effects like

So, "How do these gemstones get these phenomena and how does it affect the value?" This is what I will answer in today's blog post.

What causes phenomena in gemstones?

Phenomena gems made either

A) by a gemstones 'growth or material' structure or

B) by having special inclusions.

Phenomena gems appear on all levels in the gemstone market - from high to low end. Like regular gemstones, a phenomena gemstones' value is determined by rarity and desirability.

Example of most valuable phenomena gemstones are:
a) Top grade star corundum (rubies or blue sapphires)
b) opals
c) alexandrite
d) cat's eye chrysoberyl

More abundant gemstones like Moonstones and labradorite are desirable but less valuable.

Others like aventurine quartz are plentiful and inexpensive.

A. PHENOMENA CAUSED BY STRUCTURE

Moonstone, labradorite, opal, some pearls get their phenomena color by their gem's structure. These gems are made of small, minute, repeated layers.

When light rays enter these layers, they either 'reflect or refract' to varying degrees. The rays' interaction with each other produces these unique optical effects. These interactions are called interference.

Interference definition is exactly what it sounds like. Different light waves interfering with each other.

If two light waves are parallel or synchronized. One light waves peak and troughs corresponding exactly to other's peaks and troughs. They reinforce each other, which make brighter colors.

If the light waves are exactly opposite to each other. Each peak of one wave occurring in exactly the opposite trough of the other wave. They cancel each other, resulting in darkness.

PHENOMENA GEMSTONES - PLAY-OF-COLOR

Diffraction is a special type of interference phenomenon. Instead of bright or dark areas, this phenomenon produces pure colors like red, yellow, orange, green, blue, or violet. This happens because the stone has different layers of alternating materials. Which makes the light interact with different Refractive Indexes (RIs).

For opals, diffraction is the most important phenomenon. If you magnify opal's structure with a powerful microscope, you would see millions of tiny spheres (called silica). This silica stacked in layers to give a regular three-dimensional arrangement. What holds this structure together is some different kind of silica and water. This small difference in RI between spheres causes the light to diffract which called play-of-color. Smaller spheres produce blue to green play-of-color and larger spheres produce red.

Opal actually comes in many different quality grades. Thus has different 'price levels' in the gemstone market. Opal is one of the most popular phenomenon gems.

You can read more about opals here:
Natural Opal buying guide - How to check and understand difference between different opals?

Iridescence is one of the most common interference phenomena. It happens when light passes through a thin transparent film that is different RI from its surrounding material. Examples of this effect is seen in soap bubbles or from thin layers of oil mixed with water.

The colors come from different reflection points. Some from the top of the film while others that penetrate through the film reflect from the bottom. Depending on RI and thickness of the film, light waves are either traveling together or out-of-phase. As learned earlier this causes the color to either be brighter or darker.

Most famous gemstones who have this effect are the Pearl Nacre also known as the mother of pearl. The gem made of two different materials: aragonite and conchiolin. In the trade, the pearl iridescence effect has a special term called 'orient.'

This phenomenon is something we see every day in the morning, the beautiful "blue sky." The blue color made of air molecules scattering the sun's light by deflecting it in many different directions.

This same effect happens in Moonstone. The most famous adularescence gemstone which has a similar blue sheen. Moonstone's structure isn't regular. It is actually made up of alternating layers of feldspars, which vary in thickness and regularity. These variations cause the incoming light waves to scatter and thus makes 'blue sheen.'

B. PHENOMENA CAUSED BY INCLUSIONS

In general, inclusions usually take away from a gem's beauty. The more inclusions there are, the lower is the value of a gemstone.

Yet, there are some inclusions of which increase the value of the gem. If it is 'the right type' or in 'the right position' it can cause spectacular optical effects.

These inclusions can produce by the reflection of the light rays, a 'cat's eye', a 'star' or provide glittery sparkle.

The most famous 'chatoyancy' gemstone is the cat's eye chrysoberyl. The gem's striking "eye" is from parallel needle-like inclusions of fine hollow tubes. When the rough cut correctly, it reflects the light to create a silky sheen called chatoyancy.

Cutters produce the best cat's eye gems by cutting the cabochon's base parallel to gem's inclusions. This cutting style concentrates the sheen across the dome of the cabochon.

In addition to chatoyancy, top-grade cat's eye chrysoberyl shows 'milk and honey' look. When the light source is set at the right angle, this effect can be seen. Thus, the cat's eye one side looks milky while the other retains the honey look.

Other gemstones like Tourmaline or quartz can also chatoyancy. In fact, I discovered that even tanzanite has it. If the right type of inclusions is in the stone, it can also display cat's eye. This is exceptionally rare and I was quite shocked by this discovery. But, in the end, no gemstone can match the fine cat's eye chrysoberyls appearance or value.

How to determine the value of cat's-eye chrysoberyl?

Factors that affect the value of cat's-eye chrysoberyl are:
a) Quality of its phenomenon
d) Body-color
c) Transparency
d) Quality of cutting.

Summary of how the value of the cat's eye ranges from least expensive to most expensive are provided below.

Least expensive quality

Incorrectly oriented poorly focused eyes.

They also have surface imperfections and prominent inclusions that disrupt clarity.

Gems might also be almost opaque or so transparent that it's hard to see any chatoyancy at all.

Body color might be an unattractive brown or gray and the quality of the cut might be poor.

Many stones are irregular, unsymmetrical cabochons with too much weight below the girdle.

Usually display correctly oriented cat's-eyes

Good body color with some evidence of milk and honey

Gems should have much better clarity and be free of surface imperfections.

Some cutting variations are possible, but most gems should have reasonable proportions overall.

Best (High priced) quality

Best cat's-eyes must have sharp, well-focused, correctly oriented eyes

Fine body color with clearly evident milk and honey effect.

The most sought-after gems have a balance between the material's transparency out in sharp relief against the stone's body color.

The best cabochons are symmetrical, nicely proportioned and free of surface imperfections.

Asterism occurs in corundum crystal (both rubies and sapphires). The stones have three sets of rutile needles intersecting each other 'three-dimensionally' to form a six-rayed star.

This phenomenon formation is like chatoyancy. The difference is in the cat's eye there is only one parallel needle inclusion. While in asterism there are three sets intersecting each other.

Several gem species like garnet, diopside and spinel show asterism. But, the most valuable are star sapphires or rubies. The best star corundum is semi-transparent which is very rare.

Most star rubies and sapphires are translucent or opaque. Value determine by the color of the gemstone and by 'how sharp and where the position of the star' is in the gemstone.

To show ideal asterism, cutters try to place the reflective inclusions parallel to the base of the cabochon. Ideally, the star should be sharp and distinct with straight, even rays intersecting at the top middle part of the stone.

How to Evaluate Star Corundum Value

When looking at star corundum, you first will have to examine the stone under the spotlight. Because diffused fluorescent lights won't show the star.

Then while pointing the light source, rock the gem back and forth to see how the star moves across the gem's surface. To determine if the gem is symmetrically cut, try spinning it on a flat surface. (Without dropping it of course!)

Is the star distinct, well centered and uniform?

Are any of the star's rays incomplete?

Are the gem's proportions attractive and symmetrical?

Does the gem have excess weight below the girdle?

Do inclusions disrupt the gem's polish or star?

Is the gem's body color attractive?

Is the gem semi-transparent, translucent, or opaque?
*26.84 carat Star Blue Sapphire - notice that below girdle has excess unsymmetrical weight. Star not completely 'distinct' six rays and blue color shade is slightly lighter color. All these factors are taken into account when purchasing star sapphire (or corundum)
AVENTURESCENCE

Aventurescence occurs when gemstone sparkles with thousands of tiny reflections (simple glittery effect). This phenomenon is caused by light reflecting from many small, eye-visible, plate-like inclusions in the stone. When the stone rotated in the light these inclusions reflect the light back to the viewer.

An example of aventurescence gemstone is sunstone feldspar. Copper or hematite inclusions causes the aventurescence. This makes the gem have that amazing 'golden color.'

In aventurine quartz, spangles of green mica produce the glittery effect and also give the gem its color.

The most famous color change gemstone which buyers want is alexandrite chrysoberyl. Top grade ones are usually featured in exclusive auction catalogs. The gemstone got famous by romantic history of Russian czars prizing it. As well as its fascinating color change phenomenon.

In alexandrite, the crystal has chromium which features in both ruby and emeralds. That is why they can portray both red and green colors. What makes alexandrite unique is it allows equal amounts of red and green light to pass through it. And absorbs light in the middle of the visible spectrum.

Alexandrite's color varies based on the type of lighting you view the gemstone under. When alexandrite is under lighting that is rich in red like incandescent or yellow light bulb the gem looks like a ruby. If it's under lighting that's rich in blue and green like a fluorescent white light the gem looks like an emerald. This phenomenon is called color change.

But, even the best alexandrite can't match the finest ruby or emerald in color. It's the gem's striking red to green color change that draws people in wanting to buy these very unique stones. Alexandrite is the most valued color-change gem. Other color change gemstones are sapphire, spinel, and garnet.

How to determine value of alexandrite?

Alexandrite hue range is summaraize below:
a) Strong bluish-green through yellowish green in daylight
b) Orangey red through purple-red in incandescent light

Commercial-quality alexandrite tone tends to be either too dark or light. It also has weak color saturation. For this reason, the color-change difference between the duller colors is less noticeable.

Finest-color alexandrite have dramatic color change. Green to bluish-green in daylight and red to purplish-red in incandescent light. Also, it has a medium to medium-dark tone and moderately strong saturation.

As learned from this post, certain phenomena gems can produce dramatic effects or colors. This factor contributes to gemstones' desirability and value.

_______________________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world

All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

You can learn more by clicking here or image below

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How does 'Phenomena Effects' like Adularescence, Asterism, Chatoyancy, Iridescence, Play of Color, and Color Change affect the value of gemstones?

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How does 'Phenomena Effects' like Adularescence, Asterism, Chatoyancy, Iridescence, Play of Color, and Color Change affect the value of gemstones?

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How to Determine a Value of Blue sapphire? Based on 4Cs plus OT - A Buying Guide

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Difference Between Unheated & Heated Royal Blue Sri Lankan Sapphire in the 4 to 5-Carat Range

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Emerald Treatment Video

A video explanation of different emerald qualities is shown below:

WHY LEARNING ABOUT EMERALD TREATMENT IMPORTANT?

Before buying any emerald it is important to know what type of treatment it has gone through.

Emerald has different levels of treatment.

Natural (No Oil or No Treatment)

Minor, Moderate, Significant Treatment - This includes oil, resin, and dye

The price is dependant on the level of treatment and/or type of treatment the emerald went through. Price can range from exceptionally expensive US$10,000+ per carat for no oil emeralds to US$10 per carat for aggressively treated emeralds.

HOW MUCH CAN "NO OIL" EMERALD COST?

An exceptionally high-quality emerald above the 5-carat size that is untreated could fetch prices above US$50,000 per carat!

One example happened a decade ago on May 29th, 2012 in Christie's Spring Hong Kong auction. They sold a "7.05ct Colombia, no oil rectangular-cut emerald and 9.04ct E VVS2 rectangular-cut diamond ring" for a realized price of HK$8,420,000(US$1,090,080).

Assuming both diamond and emerald prices were split 50/50, the emerald would have cost around US$500,000 or over US$70,000 per carat!

However, lower quality emeralds that have been "significantly" treated with oil, dye, and resin can fetch prices of around US$10 per carat!

EMERALD TREATMENT GUIDE - IMPORTANCE

You can save thousands of dollars by checking the authenticity of the certificate and understanding the 'treatment' section. Also, it will save you time and the harassment of getting scammed by the seller as they did not inform you.

I hope this guide will provide you with a basic understanding of the different types of emerald treatments.

I do want to emphasize that even if you have read this guide completely and understood the basics. It does take years of experience looking at emeralds to understand the different levels of treatments.

If there is any doubt about your purchase - "Even that slight 1% chance" - it is always best to verify the stone from a reliable gemstone laboratory or trustworthy gem dealer.
EMERALD TREATMENT GUIDE - EMERALDS IN GENERAL
Almost all emeralds are treated with filler substances like oil, resin, or a combination of multiple substances.

The trade estimates that more than 99 percent of emeralds have some treatments. In terms of the Mohs scale of hardness, emeralds are relatively hard (7.5 to 8.0 range). But they are softer when compared with the other big three gemstones - rubies, sapphires, and diamonds.

However, almost all emeralds have some natural inclusions or fractures in them.

This is because the emerald crystals were naturally formed that way. Plus the harsh mining techniques do not help either.

That is why GIA classify emeralds as Type III gemstones. Gemstones which are "naturally included." So, please do not run, if you see an emerald with inclusions.

EMERALD TREATMENT PROCESS

How emeralds are mined, transported, and cut does not help. It is the biggest reason why almost all have been subject to some treatment.

When rough emeralds are mined, almost "all" are immediately thrown into a barrel of oil. When cutting them, the cutter will keep oil to lubricate them.

Finally, when the trader or wholesaler wants to sell it, they will soak the emeralds again in oil or other substances.

The treatments they will use include

1. The colorless kind, which is accepted in the trade.

2. Enhanced color oil, which is not accepted.

3. Resin, which is almost impossible to remove.

All these treatments are used to improve the stone's clarity. With these treatments, the emerald can "command" a higher price than the original untreated state as it looks more attractive.

So, now you know why almost all emeralds are treated!

Also, once an emerald is purchased, you should also be careful in sending it to a jeweler who uses ultrasonic or steam to clean your ring. Ultrasonic vibrations can weaken the emeralds which are already fractured.

The hot steam can also cause oil or unhardened resin to sweat out of the surface-reaching fractures. This will make the stone look unattractive and included again.

Therefore, gentle scrubbing with warm, soapy water is the safest way to clean emeralds.

EMERALD TREATMENT GUIDE - NO OIL, NO RESIN, 100% NATURAL EMERALD

Natural emeralds that are not treated are 'rarest of rare' gemstones. And as read above can command astronomical prices!

So, how do you know if your emerald has no oil or resin in it? It is actually very simple!

You just have to find an emerald that has no fractures on the surface, so no foreign substance can get inside it! This will guarantee the emerald doesn't have any treatment.

If the crystal is so clean or does not have surface-reaching fractures, there is no chance for any treatment to enter the stone.

HOW TO CHECK FOR EMERALD FRACTURES?

To check for emerald fractures, you have to use natural gem daylight (tube light) or sunlight.

We then need to tilt the emerald at such an angle so that the light reflects from the surface of the stone. The reflected surface will look "white" as shown in the image below.

Then using your microscope or gem loupe, you need to check if there are any dark lines or indented lines from the reflective surface.

If you do see these lines, then this indicates there are some fractures reaching the surface.

This almost guarantees (with 99% probability) that some foreign substance has entered inside the emerald.

However, if you do not see anything in all the gem facets then you might have in front of you the rarest of rare gemstones!

If you do come across an emerald that has no oil, no resin, or no treatments. And has a clean, uncloudy crystal. You should sit down and "savior" the sight because they are exceptionally rare.

Finding a replacement with these characteristics is almost impossible, even for dealers like us!

The emerald in the above image was so clean that GIA actually sent our stone for verification from Bangkok to Hong Kong as they couldn't believe their own 'eyes' either. They thought it was a 'synthetic' emerald!

EMERALD TREATMENT GUIDE - MINOR, MODERATE, OR SIGNIFICANT TREATMENT

Checking the different levels of treatments in emeralds is difficult. It does require sophisticated equipment to tell what type of fillers are in an emerald.

As explained above, most emeralds are treated multiple times. This means they will have a higher chance of different fillers inside them.

If you do have a microscope with darkfield illumination & fiber optic light, you can check the presence of filler by tilting the emerald back and forth. By doing this tilting motion, both front and side view, we have to check for "visible color flashes."

You should check for these flashes along the fissures that reached the surface of the emerald. The process of finding these surface-reaching fissures was explained above section - "HOW TO CHECK FOR EMERALD FRACTURES?"

If you do see these flashes you will know the emerald has some foreign substance inside. This will not specify the type of filler but will let you know that some filler is present.

Another way to detect filler presence is by checking the emerald under fluorescence light. On some occasions, foreign material will fluoresce. However, not all emeralds' fillers flash or fluoresce, so both these tests are not 100% reliable.

Finally, once the above steps are done, trained gemologists will start to look for fillers inside the emerald under the microscope.

This skill requires some training and experience because telling the difference between fillers from natural liquid inclusions is difficult.

Descriptions of what to look for in both natural emeralds and fracture-filled emeralds are described below.

Natural Emerald Inclusions Are:

Liquid-filled inclusions

Fingerprints

Two-phase and three-phase inclusions

Angular growth zoning

Tube-like and needle-like inclusions

Mineral inclusions including pyrite crystals, calcite inclusions along with fractures, and biotite flakes

Fracture-Filled Emerald Inclusions Are:

Flash effect of various colors. Like orange to pinkish-purple flash, blue flash, or yellow-orange to blue flash.

Oil might have a slightly yellowish or brownish color. Be careful not to confuse this color with oxide staining in fractures.

Decomposed oils might leave whitish or yellowish branch-like patterns

Might see trapped bubbles in the filling material, flow structure or whitish, textured cloudy areas.

HOW DO THE LABS CLASSIFY "MINOR, MODERATE, SIGNIFICANT" FILLING IN EMERALDS?

There was a study done by GIA in 1999, that explains how they classify emerald treatments as minor, moderate, or significant.

The easiest way to classify and standardize the different levels of treatments was to define these categories. GIA decided to define it by using the 'acceptable' diamond clarity grading system (VVS, VS or SI clarity) as it was already understood by most parties - gemologists, traders, and end consumers.

So, when GIA gemologists check emeralds in the lab. They classify the amount of filling inside the emeralds as described below:

If the presence of filled fissures substances fit into VVS2 to VS2 diamond clarity range then it will be classified as minor treatment.

This classification range is for the amount of filled substance inside the emerald and NOT the clarity of the stone.

In laymen's terms, this means not too much substance is filled inside the emerald. So, the foreign substance has not changed the clarity of the emerald by a significant amount.

If the presence of filled fissures corresponds to the SI1 to SI2 diamond clarity range then the emerald treatment will be classified as moderate treatment.

If the presence of filled fissures corresponds to below I1 diamond clarity range or above then this will be classified as a significant treatment.

Again the above criteria do not mean the emeralds are less included or more included. It only states how much foreign substance has "entered" inside the emerald crystal. To understand this more clearly, please look at the image above provided by GIA.

Another lab in the trade that classifies emeralds similar to the above criteria is GRS. GRS classification can be seen here: https://www.gemresearch.ch/reports/enhancement-disclosure

EMERALD TREATMENT GUIDE - OUR RECOMMENDATION

When buying an emerald it is very important to check how much of the stone has been treated as this will affect the price.

If you are buying an emerald that isn't too expensive, getting it verified from GIA or GRS can be overkill. Both in terms of price and time.

However, if you are looking to get an emerald that has "no oil or resin" or has "minor oil or resin," you should consider these labs. As these types of emeralds command a higher price in general.

We also recommend that for any pricier emerald purchase, it is good practice to get a reliable third-party certificate.

We do not recommend using the smaller labs as they don't have the equipment to tell the difference between "colorless oil" from higher-level treatments like color oil, dye, or resin.

We also recommend when buying less expensive emeralds ask pointed questions. Either to the salesperson or dealer regarding treatments, and observe how they respond.

If they genuinely know what they are talking about and bring up similar points as discussed in this post, then you know you are dealing with someone genuine or knowledgeable. Therefore, you have a higher chance of acquiring an emerald with 'accurate' levels of treatment as well.

However, if the person you are buying from states that their emeralds are "not treated," then you should be extra careful.

Either the person selling to you does not know what they are talking about or they cannot be trusted. We advise you to tread carefully with these people or to avoid dealing with them completely.
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Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds, and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us?

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds. From anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world

All stones sold by us are verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

You can learn more by clicking here or image below

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Emerald Treatment Guide - No Oil, Minor, Moderate and Significant Treatment Emeralds

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Emerald treatment guide explaining how to tell difference between 100% natural, no oil, minor, moderate and significant treatment emeralds?

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How to Buy & Check if your Emerald is a No Oil (None), Insiginificant or Moderately Treated

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Engagement Rings in Bangkok

Buying an engagement ring in Bangkok or Thailand can be a very stressful experience for any foreigner or a new local Thai buyer. When you first search on Google, the first results you will see is either "scams" or bad experiences fellow travelers had on various forums.

If you haven't read any of these, either the "Google gods" have been very kind to you or you just avoided visiting these sites.

Also, listening to expat experts on these sites does not help either as their advice is to stay far, far away from buying diamonds or engagement rings in Thailand.

When you do find a friendly local here (sometimes too friendly) they will state, this so & so shop in MBK, Chinatown, Silom Road or some outskirts somewhere. Once inside these shops, you will again experience some pushy salesman, who just really wants to sell what he has in stock - this fact, is true with majority of dealers or jewelers anywhere in the world.

Finally, if you are unfortunate enough to get into the wrong local travel tour or tuk tuk, I think you know how this story ends!

Does This Mean That You Cannot Find a Trustworthy Dealer or Jeweler in Bangkok or Thailand?

If you based your answer on simple online search results then the answer is quite simple - there isn't one person you can trust in Bangkok or Thailand!

However, the fact is Thailand does have a long tradition in gems & jewelry trade and many of the rings are produced here and exported to various markets around the world.

But, why this fact is not shown online because the search results will always show the most popular stories which are the worst stories, while the good experiences are never shared or read again.

This is how we the "human species" are! Fear mongering fools! Ok, enough of the philosophy let me get back to this blog's question:

Where and How to Buy an Engagement Ring in Bangkok, Thailand?

There are still serious buyers out there like yourself looking to buy a diamond ring for that sweet Thai girl or your sweet heart back home, or your 'other other' girlfriends - I believe the "don't ask, don't tell, principle."

Bangkok actually does have many choices where there are reliable dealers and jewelers and you just have do little research to find them.

If you still haven't read our most popular blog - Where and how to buy diamonds in Bangkok, Thailand? I suggest you to skim through it, as it does provide a great starting point for finding your perfect diamond.

One thing you always have to remember, the largest cost for any engagement ring is the center diamond!

Another thing you should also always remember that diamonds are one of the most highly traded commodity in the world and therefore, getting a substantially better deal in Bangkok is not true at all.

However, manufacturing beautiful hand-crafted or caste-crafted rings in Bangkok is a lot cheaper as the skilled labor is a lot cheaper here.

This is where you will see substantial savings compared to your hometown. The Thai craftsmen are considered world-class through their long experiences in making beautiful gemstones rings and that is reason why there are so many export jewelry companies and factories operating locally.

Engagement Ring in Bangkok - Retailer's Location?

Most of reliable dealers are either located in Shopping Malls like Emporium, Central or Paragon, MBK, and China Town. Majority of these dealers have been in the business for a long time and have operated in same locations for many years, so you can trust that they won't close shop or run away very quickly.

Also being in the business for a long time means reputation is still important and therefore, it is not worth their risk in "scamming" you for just one transaction. However, you do have negotiate with them and I do suggest to shop around, so you can get the best possible deal out there!

This again doesn't mean all jeweler or dealers are reliable. Again you will have to use some common sense and ask the correct questions.

I have listed below some questions you should ask to jeweler or diamond dealer to make sure the diamond engagement ring you are buying is genuine and not some beautiful "scam" piece of art.

Question 1: Is the center diamond certified by reliable third party laboratory?

Seller Answer 1: No... walk away!
Seller Answer 2: If yes, which laboratory? If not GIA, AGS, or HRD then walk away!

Question 2: How can we verify the center diamond is the same as what is stated on the certificate and if I found out later the diamond is not what is stated do you have return policy?

These aren't all the questions, but I hope you understand the importance in asking pointed questions. This will allow you to become more comfortable in who you are dealing with when buying the special diamond engagement ring.

These questions are relevant everywhere in the world. I hope the above guide is helpful and if you have any additional questions please feel free to provide your comments below or send me a message at sales@thainativegems.com.

Some of our 'Custom Rings'
[Update 12 January 2016] - We have recently published a new post providing you a comprehensive guide in how to buy a diamond engagement. If interested in reading more please click on this link here: 'Step by Step Comprehensive Guide: How to get the best deal for your diamond engagement ring'
Thai Native Gems Diamond Search & Custom Engagement Ring service:

If you are in the market looking for the best diamond and custom hand made engagement ring. Contact Us. Let us know what your budget is and what you are looking for.

From this initial information, we will swiftly find and email you 4 to 5 center diamond options. Unlike other traditional or online dealers, I am not looking to sell you anything. But will provide you honest, frank and objective opinion in what we think is best in the budget you offer.

This service is free, and there absolutely no commitment to buy any of our suggestions. The only thing you have to do is not respond to our email and you won't hear from us again! So, you truly have nothing to lose!

How do we compile this diamond list? Our search process is provided below:

1) We first will contact our local diamond supply network and check if there are any stones that fit your requirement in Bangkok. We have over 50 contacts in Bangkok and will check ALL to make sure we can provide you the best deal.

2) If not satisfied, we will then check online through our extensive global network sifting through over 900,000+ diamonds. and will find you the best diamond. The only setback when choosing the diamond from this global list is, it can take one to two weeks to arrive to Bangkok.

What type engagement rings can you make and how are they made?

1) We usually set our engagement rings in 18k yellow or white gold or 950 platinum settings. Our rings are all hand-crafted and made by highly skilled Thai craftsmen.

Examples in some of the rings we made you can see on our YouTube channel and shown below:

YouTube Channel PLAY LIST

_____________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world

All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

You can learn more by clicking here or image below

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Where and how to buy engagement rings in Bangkok, Thailand?

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Buy engagement rings in Bangkok. Getting one in Bangkok or Thailand can be stressful experience. This step to step guide will help with the process

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Simple Steps to Buy The Perfect Engagement Ring in Bangkok

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Buy Engagement Ring in Bangkok- Simple Steps. We discuss how easy it is to buy the perfect engagement ring by following a few simple steps.

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Choosing the perfect engagement ring in Bangkok is a significant and exciting step in your journey towards marriage. Bangkok, with its vibrant gemstone & jewelry market, offers a plethora of options. However, to make an informed decision, it's essential to understand some key aspects of buying an diamond engagement ring in this bustling city. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this process.

Buy Diamonds in Bangkok, Thailand - Facts

First, let's clarify a common misconception: Is it cheaper to buy a diamond in Bangkok or Thailand compared to anywhere else in the world?

Simple answer: NO! Thailand does not source diamonds, is not a major cutting center, and is not a major trading hub for selling diamonds. While Bangkok is known for cheaper wholesale goods like certain electronics, clothes, and shoes, the same does not apply to diamonds. Diamond prices are globally standardized based on the 4Cs - Carat weight, Color, Clarity, and Cut grade. If you find a cheaper diamond in Bangkok, it's likely due to a compromise on one of these factors or an extremely rare lucky find.

Buy Diamond in Bangkok Issue - 7% Value Added Tax

Diamonds in Thailand are subject to a 7% VAT (Value Added Tax), adding a significant cost to your purchase. For example, a 2-carat, H-color, VVS1 clarity diamond priced at around US$30,000 will cost US$32,100 after tax - an extra US$2,100!

Reliable Dealers in Bangkok

Yes, there are reliable diamond dealers in Bangkok. Popular locations include Silom Road, Suriwong, MBK, and Chinatown (Yaowarat). Always do thorough research and ensure you're buying from a trustworthy source by checking reviews or getting references from your reliable friends.

Learn About the 4Cs

Understanding the 4Cs is crucial:

1. Color: Diamonds range from colorless to light yellow. Colorless diamonds (graded D-F) are the most valuable. Best Value is between graded G-I and is generally white enough.

2. Clarity: Refers to the presence of internal or external flaws - from IF to I3 (Internally Flawless to Included 3). VVS2 to VS2 is where you get the best value and the inclusions are difficult to see even under 10x magnification gem loupe or microscope.

3. Cut: The cut determines the diamond's brilliance. Round Brilliant cuts are highly sought after for their ideal diamond sparkle. Ensure a minimum cut grade of 'Very Good,' ideally 'Excellent.'

4. Carat Weight: Indicates the diamond's size. Larger carat weight increases the price exponentially. Magic numbers like 0.50 carat, 1 carat, 2 carat, etc., are generally where the price rises quickly.

Evaluate the Diamond's Cut, Symmetry, and Polish

For the best sparkle, never compromise on the cut, symmetry, and polish of the diamond. These factors significantly affect the diamond's brilliance. Look for diamonds with Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD) for accurate grading information. The highest Grade for GIA certificates is called 'Triple Excellent,' while for HRD, it is 'Ideal or Excellent Cut."

Check Online for Prices

When considering purchasing a diamond in Bangkok, it's essential to do your homework online first. This step ensures that you have a clear understanding of the market prices and can make a more informed decision. Here are some detailed steps and tips for checking online prices effectively:

1. Use Reputable Diamond Retailer Websites

Start by visiting well-known online diamond retailers. Websites such as Blue Nile, James Allen, and Brilliant Earth are renowned for their extensive inventories and competitive pricing. These sites offer a range of search filters that allow you to specify your preferred 4Cs (Carat, Color, Clarity, Cut), budget, and other attributes such as fluorescence and certification.

Blue Nile: Known for its vast selection and detailed images.

James Allen: Offers high-resolution 360° videos of each diamond.

Brilliant Earth: Focuses on ethically sourced and environmentally friendly diamonds.

2. Utilize Price Comparison Tools

Price comparison tools can be invaluable. Platforms like Rare Carat and PriceScope aggregate listings from various retailers, allowing you to compare prices and specifications side by side. These tools help you understand the current market rates and identify any outliers in pricing.

Rare Carat: Provides a diamond pricing score and comparisons across multiple vendors.

PriceScope: Offers user reviews and price comparisons to help you make an informed decision.

3. Look for Diamonds with Certificates

Ensure that the diamonds you are comparing online come with reputable certification, such as from GIA or HRD. These certificates provide an unbiased report on the diamond's characteristics, ensuring you get what you pay for. When comparing prices, take note of the cut, symmetry, polish, type of inclusions, inclusion locations, and fluorescence, as these factors can influence the price significantly.

4. Understand Price Fluctuations

Be aware that diamond prices can fluctuate based on global market trends and availability. Regularly checking prices over a few weeks can give you a better sense of whether the current prices are high, low, or average.

5. Factor in Additional Costs

While comparing prices online, remember to factor in any additional costs that may apply when purchasing from an international site. These can include:

Shipping Fees: Costs to ship the diamond to your location.

Import Duties and Taxes: Local customs duties and taxes that can add a significant amount to the final price. For Thailand, remember the 7% VAT on diamonds.

Insurance: Shipping insurance to cover the cost of the diamond in case it is lost or damaged during transit.

6. Use Online Reviews and Ratings

Read customer reviews and ratings on the diamond and the seller. Platforms like Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and Yelp can provide insights into other customers' experiences with the retailer. Look for feedback on product quality, customer service, return policies, and overall satisfaction.

7. Contact Online Retailers

If you find a diamond that meets your specifications and budget, consider contacting the retailer directly. Ask any questions you may have about the diamond, such as details on inclusions, the diamond's performance, and their return policy. A reputable retailer will be happy to provide additional information and may even offer personalized advice or discounts.

8. Compare to Local Dealers

After gathering data online, compare these prices with local dealers in Bangkok. While online retailers can offer competitive pricing, local jewelers may provide additional services such as custom settings, immediate physical inspection, and potentially better after-sale services.

By thoroughly researching and comparing prices online, you can ensure that you are getting a fair deal and make a well-informed purchase when buying your engagement ring in Bangkok. Remember, the goal is to balance cost, quality, and personal preferences to find the perfect ring for this special occasion.

Additional Factors Affecting Diamond Prices

1. Type of Inclusions: Inclusions under the table (the middle part) can significantly lower the price.

2. Fluorescence: Diamonds with medium to strong fluorescence often sell at a discount. In most cases, fluorescence doesn't affect the diamond's appearance.

3. Cut Grade: Diamonds with 'Very Good' to 'Excellent' cut grades command higher prices than those with 'Good' to 'Fair' cuts.

4. Certification: GIA-certified diamonds are generally more expensive due to their strict grading standards.

Conclusion

Choosing the perfect engagement ring in Bangkok requires understanding the diamond market and the 4Cs, being aware of local taxes, and ensuring you buy from reliable dealers. By doing thorough research and considering all factors, you can find a beautiful and valuable engagement ring that fits your budget and meets your expectations.

For more detailed information on buying diamonds and gemstones in Bangkok, check out our other articles or contact us directly at sales@thainativegems.com. Happy diamond hunting!

Thai Native Gems Diamond Search & Custom Engagement Ring service (Best way to buy diamonds in Bangkok):

If you are in the market looking for the best diamond and custom hand made engagement ring. Contact Us. Let us know what your budget is and what you are looking for.

From this initial information, we will swiftly find and email you 4 to 5 center diamond options. Unlike other traditional or online dealers, I am not looking to sell you anything. But will provide you honest, frank and objective opinion in what we think is best in the budget you offer.

This service is free, and there absolutely no commitment to buy any of our suggestions. The only thing you have to do is not respond to our email and you won't hear from us again! So, you truly have nothing to lose!

How do we compile this diamond list? Our search process is provided below:

1) We first will contact our local diamond supply network and check if there are any stones that fit your requirement in Bangkok. We have over 50 contacts in Bangkok and will check ALL to make sure we can provide you the best deal.

2) If not satisfied, we will then check online through our extensive global network sifting through over 900,000+ diamonds. and will find you the best diamond. The only setback when choosing the diamond from this global list is, it can take one to two weeks to arrive to Bangkok.

What type of engagement rings can you make and how are they made?

1) We usually set our engagement rings in 18k yellow or white gold or 950 platinum settings. Our rings are all hand-crafted and made by highly skilled Thai craftsmen.

Examples in some of the rings we made you can see on our YouTube channel and shown below:

YouTube Channel PLAY LIST

_____________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world

All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

You can learn more by clicking here or image below

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How to Choose the Perfect Engagement Ring in Bangkok

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Guide to choosing the perfect engagement ring in Bangkok: 4Cs, local markets, VAT tips, and reliable dealers

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Create your one-of-a-kind engagement ring for your one-of-a-kind union.

To make your design - contact us here

Below are examples of custom-made diamond engagement rings we made in the past for our clients.

All designs are our client's inspiration and are made in Bangkok through amazing Thai craftsmanship.
Rings are made either in Platinum (PT950) or Gold (18K Yellow, White, or Rose).
Custom Made Diamond Engagement Ring from Bangkok (Example 1)

Video:
Set with GIA certified 1.00 carats, J-color, VVS2-clarity, Triple Excellent center diamond. Supported with 0.46 carats round brilliants in 18K Rose Gold!

The total cost for both rings was US$6,980 (or around Thai Baht 239,800).

Custom Made Diamond Engagement Ring from Bangkok (Example 2)
Video:
Custom made with a GIA certified, 1.50 carat, I-color, VS1-clarity, Triple Excellent Make, Round Brilliant Cut diamond set in 18K white gold.

Custom Made Diamond Engagement Ring from Bangkok (Example 3)

Video:
Set with GIA Certified 1.03 carats, I-color, VVS2-clarity, Top cut grade, Oval Cut Center, Diamond. Supported with 0.19 carats Halo diamonds set in 18K Rose Gold!

Custom Made Diamond Engagement Ring from Bangkok (Example 4)

Video:
Custom made with GIA certified Marquise Brilliant, 1.24 carats, G-color, VS1-clarity center diamond. Supported with 0.81 carats round brilliant micro pavé double edge halo and 3D pavé side diamonds in 18K white gold.

Custom Made Diamond Engagement Ring from Bangkok (Example 5)

Video:
We custom-made this ring with a GIA and CanadaMark certified 1.01 carats, G-VVS2, triple excellent make, and center diamond. This ring's prongs are also 18K white gold, while the band is 18K yellow gold. The CanadaMark certification proves the diamond is mined from Canada and therefore is 100% conflict-free.

Custom Made Diamond Engagement Ring from Bangkok (Example 6)

Video:
This video is a ring we custom made with a IGI certified, 3.01 carat, K-VS1, Triple Excellent Make Center diamond supported with 1.24 carat side diamonds set in 18K white gold!

What is our Custom Make Process?

1. Provide us a design you would like to make

2. We will then forward you a 'rough' price quotation

3. Once the price is agreed upon we start the 3D CAD Design process - an example of what the CAD looks like is provided below.

4. Once the design is approved we will custom make the ring for you. The total time from start the finish usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.

Thai Native Gems Diamond Search & Custom Engagement Ring service (Best way to buy diamonds in Bangkok):

If you are in the market looking for the best diamond and custom handmade engagement ring. Contact Us. Let us know what your budget is and what you are looking for.

From this initial information, we will swiftly find and email you 4 to 5 center diamond options. Unlike other traditional or online dealers, I am not looking to sell you anything. But will provide you honest, frank, and objective opinion on what we think is best in the budget you offer.

This service is free, and there absolutely no commitment to buy any of our suggestions. The only thing you have to do is not respond to our email and you won't hear from us again! So, you truly have nothing to lose!

How do we compile this diamond list? Our search process is provided below:

1) We first will contact our local diamond supply network and check if there are any stones that fit your requirement in Bangkok. We have over 50 contacts in Bangkok and will check ALL to make sure we can provide you with the best deal.

2) If not satisfied, we will then check online through our extensive global network sifting through over 900,000+ diamonds. and will find you the best diamond. The only setback when choosing the diamond from this global list is, that it can take one to two weeks to arrive in Bangkok.

What type of engagement rings can you make and how are they made?

1) We usually set our engagement rings in 18k yellow or white gold or 950 platinum settings. Our rings are all hand-crafted and made by highly skilled Thai craftsmen.

Examples in some of the rings we made you can see on our YouTube channel and are shown below:

YouTube Channel PLAY LIST

_____________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world

All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

You can learn more by clicking here or image below

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Custom Made Diamond Engagement Ring from Bangkok

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Custom Made Diamond Engagement Rings from Bangkok. Create your one-of-a-kind ring for your one-of-a-kind union. Platinum or 18K Gold.

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Making a custom wedding or engagement ring in Bangkok. Or anywhere in the world has never been easier or cheaper today.

With the power of the World Wide Web, you can now source your gemstone or diamond in wholesale. Choose your custom design and get it all than any major jewelry or brand store.

This is due to getting the "center or main" gemstone/diamond in wholesale. The largest cost in making any ring.

You can read more about how to buy the cheapest diamond in our previous blog post. Where to buy the cheapest diamond in Bangkok, Thailand?

Another advantage you will get in Bangkok compared to most countries is the cost in making a custom ring. As labor charges here are a lot cheaper and you won't be sacrificing quality.

Examples of how good Thai jewelry craftsmen are you can see on the previous designs we made for our clients. Our Facebook page or YouTube channel.

How does one make a custom wedding or engagement ring?

There are many methods in manufacturing your ring. It really depends on what level of customization you would like and how much you would like to spend.

Below I have discussed three of the most popular methods and will try to explain the pros/cons of each method.

Standard Mold Design Ring - Cast Jewelry

For most modern jewelers, both traditional storefront and online, this is most popular method.

They will typically provide you a standard mold design to make your ring. As this method is the fastest & cost-effective for the seller and manufacturer.

In this method, the manufacturer would first make the initial wax model design either by using CAD/CAM or hands-free form.

With this initial wax model, they will then make a "silver master mold" which is the finished ring produced in 925 sterling silver.

With this silver master ring, they can now reproduce the same ring design repeatedly. Like a newspaper printing press. By using this silver ring to make the rubber molds. Which then makes the wax molds and then re-cast to make the finished ring jewelry. You can read and see images of this process on this website: http://www.wikihow.com/Cast-Jewelry.

For most online stores, you will find CAD/CAM generated ring images. Instead of actual finished jewelry product images. This again is to save the sellers money from keeping too much stock or inventory.

The only negative with these computers generated images are that you don't know how the actual jewelry finishing is. Until you get your finished ring product.

To be safe, I do recommend asking for some "actual" finished ring images or videos. Which the online store has made previously before purchasing.

Pros/Cons of this method are provided below:

Pros:

Cheapest & fastest method for seller and manufacturer. As the most time consuming and labor-intensive process is making the "initial wax model." Because the silver master mold has already been made in this process. The making of the jewelry is now like "photocopying" the same ring design.

Easier and more accurate to reproduce these rings.

Modern complicated designs are easy to produce & achievable - example, popular halo ring design.

Possible to set more fragile stones like emeralds, as side of jewelry won't push around the stone. This type of damage usually happens with "traditional bench method."

The safest method in terms of knowing how the ring will turn out. As most sellers or jewelers will have ready-made, produced rings beforehand. Thus, they can show you the finished ring look.

Cons:

Poor manufacturers can "disguise" sloppy work. Or other craftsmanship problems that can occur with cast jewelry.

The only thing that holds the diamond or gemstone in the "prong setting" cast jewelry is the top prongs. And not sideways pressure that the traditional bench method will have. So, if the top prong breaks you can lose the gemstone.

Mass produce designs sometimes does not fit the center gemstone or diamond exactly in terms of shape or dimensions. This is especially true for expensive big three gemstones - i.e. rubies, sapphires, or emeralds - as these gemstones never have exact dimension sizes or shapes. Due to not being perfect fit for the ring, there is always a risk for losing the center stone or damaging the structural integrity of the ring.

Personally, I usually find these type of rings a little mechanical or "impersonal"

Free Form Wax Carving Method - Cast Jewelry

This is the method we use to manufacture our custom engagement or wedding rings. In this method, all rings are custom made initially in wax form using a block of wax and carving it down. You can see some the finished wax results in the images below:

These wax models are made by hand and does require a lot time, skill and experience especially for more sophisticated and complicated design. These rings do differ from producing the wax by computer CAD/CAM software as they don't have the exact precision a computer will calculate.

However, I find free form wax rings to have a more "personal or human touch" plus "individualistic unique style" when compared to computer generated CAD/CAM produce rings which are more "mechanical or impersonal."

Again, this is just based on my personal experience when producing both types of rings for my clients and others might have different experiences.

When manufacturing this type of ring you will have to provide the jeweler the following items:

Center or main gemstones/diamond and side stones

Exact Ring size

Type of metal you would like to manufacture the ring (18k white gold, 950 platinum, 925 sterling silver, etc.,)

Design you would like to make

Pros/Cons of this method are provided below:

Pros

Can manufacture unique and complicated designs that fit the "main stone" and other side stones exactly based on their measurement or specification. As the initial wax model is made by hand "uniquely", the measurement for center stone and side stones will be taken into account when producing the ring. This will provide higher security to center gemstone plus having lower risk integrity of ring breaking.

Can inspect the "initial wax model" before making the finished product to see if you are satisfied with design.

Possible to set more fragile stones like emeralds as side of jewelry won't push around the stone. This type of damage usually happens with "traditional bench method."

Has a more "personal" or "human-touch" as wax was made by hand and in my opinion makes the rings look unique when compared to Standard Mold Design.

Cons

Poor manufacturers can "disguise" sloppy work or other craftsmanship problems which can occur with cast jewelry.

The only thing that holds the diamond or gemstone in "bead setting" cast jewelry is the top bead and not sideway pressure that traditional bench method will have. So, if the top bead breaks you can lose the gemstone.

Old-school Traditional Bench Method or Hand Fabricated

The oldest way of making jewelry is the traditional "bench made", also called hand fabricated method which has been used for thousands of years. This is dying art and it is becoming more and more difficult to find skilled goldsmiths who can make this type of jewelry.

With this method there is no wax, computer models, or prefabricated pieces and was a predominant method in making jewelry prior to 1900s. Less than 5% of all jewelry is made with this method today. With this method the jeweler will first take a raw piece of precious metal wire or bar like Platinum, Gold or Silver and then will go through the process of cutting, hammering, heating (or annealing) and shaping the metal to the desired design.

This process requires skill of making the piece physically by hand (Jewelry Mounting), setting the gemstone into place and polishing finished jewelry. This method is most complicated and takes the most skill and time. If done correctly, these types of jewelry are the most unique as well as most durable.

However, please note, if you do decide to make your jewelry with traditional bench method, you do have to make sure the person doing it is very skilled or else the finished product will just look bad, odd looking and incomplete in comparison to modern jewelry designs.

Example of how wrong a bench made jewelry can turn out, you can see from our personal experience with an earlier ring we made in India for our client, which still uses this method. We made this ruby jewelry ring from a world-renown goldsmith and as you can see from the images below the finished product didn't come close to what the client wanted for her engagement ring.

Only when we reproduced the same ruby gemstone ring here in Thailand, then we got what we wanted. This again does not mean there isn't any good bench or hand fabricated jewelers out there, but you do have to make sure that that he/she is skilled in their craft.

VS

Pros/Cons of this method is provided below:

Pros

Most durable type of jewelry as it has been in the process of hammering, annealing and shaping by hand. Because the goldsmith does the shaping by hand (or hammer) instead of pouring the metal into shape in "cast jewelry mold", the finished metal for this type of jewelry is the most compact.

In the "beading setting", the top metal bead plus the side of the metal supports the gemstone or diamond and therefore the stones are secured from the sides and the top. Therefore, if the top bead breaks, you still won't lose your gemstone.

The finished product is truly unique, one of a kind piece.

Cons

If constructed badly this type of jewelry will definitely look bad, odd looking and incomplete. As this type of jewelry is the "least forgiving." This means the goldsmith has to be excellent in his trade, which in today's world is very rare.

Due to being very time consuming and highly skilled process, this method is the most expensive and requires the most time. Normal cast jewelry can be done in 3 to 5 working days, while hand fabricated jewelry can take 3 weeks to 2 months to make a single unique piece.

Limited in type of designs you can produce especially if you want the delicate "halo design rings, etc.," which are the most popular designs today.

When setting soft gemstones like emeralds, opals, corals, pearls, quartz, etc., the goldsmith must be very skilled or else there is "a large risk" in cracking the gemstones due to side metal pressures or the annealing process.

In Conclusion:

So, what from the top three methods is the best? This depends on what you are looking for and how much time and money you would like to spend.

For the most unique and durable type of jewelry, the traditional bench method is still the best. However, it is also the least forgiving if your design is complicated. For more complicated designs, cast jewelry is still the safest and fastest method of getting the job done.

Also, what I found with my experience is that the free-form wax carving method does have the right balance in being unique, modern, and with finishing which looks delicate and stunning.

This method is more expensive than mass production rings, but if you are coming to Bangkok, you will have the skilled labor that can do this at fraction of the price compared to Western world skill workers, without sacrificing the finished ring quality.

In fact, the total cost of making a custom ring is just a small amount compared to total sum when buying a stunning color gemstone or certified diamond center above 0.50 carat.

If you do decide to purchase your ring in a traditional retail / jewelry store, you won't be only paying for the ring, but also the center gemstone in full 'retail rate' which is usually 60 to 90% more compared to wholesale.

As center gemstone usually account for 90 to 95% of your total cost, you most probably will be paying more for a "mass production" ring in these brand stores than you will, if you purchase from a true wholesaler.

Some examples of rings that we have made in Bangkok can be seen on our YouTube channel or Facebook page.

If you are coming to Bangkok to visit or to live here then why not take advantage in buying custom engagement ring, instead of the "same old" mass production rings in jewelry/retail store.

You definitely will have something unique, which is meant only for your girlfriends/fiancée's hands and won't cause a dent in your wallet.

Thai Native Gems Diamond Search & Custom Engagement Ring service:

If you are in the market looking for the best diamond and custom hand made engagement ring in Bangkok, Thailand contact us and let us know what your budget is and what you are looking for.

From this initial information, we will swiftly find and email you 4 to 5 center diamond options to choose from that we feel fits your needs best. Unlike other traditional or online dealers, I am not looking to sell you anything, but will provide you honest, frank and objective opinion in what we think is best in the budget you offer.

This service is free, and there absolutely no commitment to buy any of our suggestions. The only thing you have to do is not respond to our email and you won't hear from us again! So, you truly have nothing to lose!

How do we compile this diamond list? Our search process is provided below:

1) We first will contact our local diamond supply network and check if there are any stones that fits your requirement in Bangkok, Thailand. We have over 50 contacts in Bangkok and will check ALL to make sure we can provide you the best deal.

2) If not satisfied, we will then check online through our extensive global network sifting through over 900,000+ diamonds and will find you the best diamond. The only setback when choosing the diamond from this global list is, it can take one to two weeks to arrive to Bangkok.

What type engagement rings can you make and how are they made?

1) We usually set our engagement rings in 18k yellow or white gold or 950 platinum settings. Our rings are all hand-crafted and made by highly skilled Thai craftsmen.

Examples in some of the rings we made you can see on our YouTube channel and shown below:

YouTube Channel PLAY LIST

_____________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world

All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

You can learn more by clicking here or image below

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How to make a custom wedding / engagement ring in Bangkok, Thailand?

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Explains how to custom make wedding or engagement ring in Bangkok, Thailand. Explains three manufacturing methods - CAD, Free Form Wax, Traditional Bench

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What is a custom engagement ring and how much does it cost? This is what we are going to focus on in today's post answering the pros and cons of getting a custom engagement ring and what are costs associated with making one.

After a long, lucky, or hard search in meeting a lot of people, you have met the perfect person who you would like to spend the rest of your life with. You are now ready to show your commitment with a beautiful engagement or wedding ring.

As special as this perfect person is, you are trying to figure out how to propose and find the perfect ring that symbolizes your love for him or her. There are many stores with hundreds of ring designs to choose from but nothing that really makes you go, "Yes, that has a personal touch!"

There is a simple solution which is called a Custom-made Ring.

In this blog post, we will be covering just a few basic areas:

1. What is a custom-made ring or a custom ring?

2. How much does a custom-made engagement ring cost?

3. What factors should you consider before you get a custom ring made?

4. What makes the final cost of a custom-made ring?

WHAT IS A CUSTOM-MADE RING OR A CUSTOM RING?

A custom-made ring or a custom ring is a ring made according to your unique personal preference, desire, and individual specifications. It is a ring that has an individual taste and sensibility. It is something that can stand out from the scores of mass-produced rings and give deeper meaning to that precious ring

SO, HOW MUCH DOES A CUSTOM-MADE ENGAGEMENT RING COST?
$1,000 US Dollar to the SKY IS THE LIMIT!!!!
Why such a huge range? Because various factors can contribute to the cost of making a custom ring.

WHAT FACTORS SHOULD YOU CONSIDER BEFORE YOU GET A CUSTOM RING MADE?

BUDGET:

The first thing you need to consider before you get a custom ring made is how much you are willing to spend on it. Custom rings can vary widely in price, so having a budget in mind will give you a framework to build on.

DIAMOND OR GEMSTONE:

Do you want to go for the classic diamond or does your heart long for some color? There are hundreds of gemstones you can choose from, but the most popular ones are sapphires, rubies, and emeralds due to them being rare and durable stones. There is ample information available online to help you narrow down your choice. If you are leaning towards diamonds, look at the carat weight, color, cut, clarity, and certificate. And if it is a gemstone, then look at the various color, types, treatments, and other properties.

STYLE AND DESIGN:

Think about the general style and design you like. Would you like a classic yet elegant solitaire ring or have diamonds on the side or all around the stone or something out of the ordinary? Look at various designs online to inspire your imagination. You can walk to a jewelry store and try on some rings and see how it looks on your finger. Custom rings can be fully handmade or a wax mold can be made using computer-aided design (CAD) to see how the ring will look before it is made so that you can make changes to the ring if you want.

METAL CHOICE:

There are various metals you can choose from gold (yellow, white, pink), platinum, titanium, palladium, steel, silver, tungsten carbide, etc. Each of them has its own characteristics, properties, durability, and price range. Gold is the most common metal used in engagement rings firstly because of its traditional value over the years, it is also one of the easiest metals to work with, and you will find more craftsmen who work with gold than any other metal. Gold rings are also easier to resize.

RING SIZE:

You need to know the ring size of your significant other, you can go to any jewelry shop and get the ring finger measured. This is the most accurate and recommended method. If you are planning a surprise, you can discreetly borrow one of her old rings to get this measured at a jewelry store as well.

There are various apps you can download on your phone to help determine the ring size as well like Ring Sizer. This could help you determine the ring size, however, from our experience, these apps are not very accurate. So we do recommend using these apps as a last resort.

A TRUSTWORTHY JEWELER:

Most often factoring in the above information can be overwhelming.

So finding a trusted jeweler who can guide you

Through the process.

Simplify the information you need.

Provide you with various options.

And finally help create your masterpiece is of the utmost importance.

Today, many young couples are comfortable getting their custom engagement rings made by finding a custom or bespoke jeweler online instead of just getting it made by using a traditional family jeweler. Evaluate the jeweler, see the history of their company, and see their credentials. It certainly helps if they are certified gemologists. Look at their previous work and reviews posted by their clients.

It is always simple to rather buy a ring from a store with a brand name, but do your due diligence, they may not always offer you the best price. So educate yourself and then take a final decision.

CUSTOMISATION:

Custom rings have a huge advantage when it comes to customizing your engagement ring. Apart from mixing and matching various stones and metals as per your taste and preference, you can get carvings, engravings, or laser inscription done on your ring with the text of your choice.

WHAT MAKES THE FINAL COST OF A CUSTOM-MADE RING?

The above breakdown can vary. For instance, you may want a ring totally made by hand and not using a CAD and/or resin/ wax mold. You may also choose to have a simple solitaire without additional stones and no further customization such as a personalized inscription etc.

Generally, a 'ready-made' ring will have a lower upfront cost than a custom-made ring. A ready-made ring doesn't have to pay for new CAD and Resin/Wax Mold when making a new ring. The added costs for these two items usually come up to around US$200 to US$400 more in Bangkok, Thailand. In the Western world, this cost is a lot higher as labor charges are higher.

Though this might seem like high upfront costs. In general, when you add other costs in making the ring. - Like a center diamond, gemstones, and metals costs. - The custom-making ring costs will only be an additional 5% to 10% of total costs. Of course, the added benefit of this additional cost is making the special ring for your one and only 'special' person.

If you would like to know more about the cost of a diamond custom ring, you can read our post: How much does it cost to buy a 0.50 carat or 1 carat or 2 carat diamond ring in Bangkok, Thailand? This provides you the breakdown of how much the center diamond will cost plus the ring-making charges estimates from rings we have made in the past.

If you would like to know how much it actually costs to custom-make a ring with your particular design, please email us at sales@thainativegems.com or message us on Facebook or Instagram. We will forward you an up-to-date price quotation.

Thai Native Gems Diamond Search & Custom Engagement Ring service (Best way to buy diamonds in Bangkok):

If you are in the market looking for the best diamond and custom handmade engagement ring. Contact Us. Let us know what your budget is and what you are looking for.

From this initial information, we will swiftly find and email you 4 to 5 center diamond options. Unlike other traditional or online dealers, I am not looking to sell you anything. But will provide you honest, frank, and objective opinion on what we think is best in the budget you offer.

This service is free, and there absolutely no commitment to buy any of our suggestions. The only thing you have to do is not respond to our email and you won't hear from us again! So, you truly have nothing to lose!

How do we compile this diamond list? Our search process is provided below:

1) We first will contact our local diamond supply network and check if there are any stones that fit your requirement in Bangkok. We have over 50 contacts in Bangkok and will check ALL to make sure we can provide you with the best deal.

2) If not satisfied, we will then check online through our extensive global network sifting through over 900,000+ diamonds. And will find you the best diamond. The only setback when choosing the diamond from this global list is, that it can take one to two weeks to arrive in Bangkok.

What type of engagement rings can you make and how are they made?

1) We usually set our engagement rings in 18k yellow or white gold or 950 platinum settings. Our rings are all hand-crafted and made by highly skilled Thai craftsmen.

Examples of some of the rings we made you can see on our YouTube channel are shown below:

YouTube Channel PLAY LIST

_____________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world

All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

You can learn more by clicking here or image below

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How much does a diamond or gemstone custom-made engagement ring cost?

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We cover - What is a custom-made engagement ring? How much does it cost? What factors should you consider? What makes the ring final cost?

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Create your one-of-a-kind rings for a one-of-a-kind union.

To make your design - contact us here

Below are examples of custom wedding bands & rings we have created in the past for our clients.

All designs are their inspiration and are made in Bangkok with amazing Thai craftsmanship.
Rings are made either in Platinum (PT950) or Gold (18K Yellow, White, or Rose).
Custom made Wedding Rings & Bands in Bangkok (Example 1)

Her Full Diamond Eternity and His Plain Matte Bands set in 18K White Gold

Custom made Wedding Rings & Bands in Bangkok (Example 2)

Her "Three-Line" Diamond Half-Eternity and His Plain Polish Band set in 18K Yellow Gold

Custom made Wedding Rings & Bands in Bangkok (Example 3)

Her Full Eternity and His Plain Band set in Platinum (PT950)

12 Stone Golden X Design Ring set with 2.29 carats diamonds, 18K Yellow Gold and Platinum (PT950)

Custom made Wedding Rings & Bands in Bangkok (Example 5)

Her Full Eternity Band set in 18K Yellow Gold

Her full-eternity diamond band is set with 1.8 mm or a total carat weight of 0.71-carat diamonds.

Custom made Wedding Rings & Bands in Bangkok (Example 6)

Her Seven Stone Diamond Band and His Plain Band set in Platinum (PT950)

His ring is a simple band (4mm thick) with a normal polish finish. Both are set in Platinum (PT950).

Custom made Wedding Rings & Bands in Bangkok (Example 7)

His Full Eternity Diamond Band set in 18K Yellow Gold

His ring full eternity diamond ring set with 2mm diamond or a total carat weight of 1.14-carat diamonds in 18K Yellow Gold.

Custom made Wedding Rings & Bands in Bangkok (Example 8)

Nine Stone 'Lucky' Gemstone Band set in 18K Yellow Gold

Her Nine Gemstone - 3mm each - (Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire, Chrysoberyl, Brown Zircon, Blue Sapphire, Hessonite Garnet, Moonstone, & Emerald) "Lucky" Ring, set in 18K Yellow Gold -

Custom made Wedding Rings & Bands in Bangkok (Example 9)

Hexagonal Plain Her 18K Rose Gold Band

Her Hexagonal Plain Band set in 18K Rose Gold -

Custom made Wedding Rings & Bands in Bangkok (Example 10)

Matching Wedding Band for Unique Shape Engagement ring in 18K Rose Gold

Matching Wedding Band set with 0.28 carats in 18K Rose Gold.

Custom made Wedding Rings & Bands in Bangkok -
What is our Custom Make Process?

1. Provide us a design you would like to make and both your ring sizes

2. We will then forward you a 'rough' price quotation

3. Once the price is agreed upon we start the 3D CAD Design process - an example of what the CAD looks like is provided below.

4. Once the design is approved we will custom make the ring for you. The total time from start the finish usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.

Thai Native Gems Diamond Search & Custom Engagement Ring service (Best way to buy diamonds in Bangkok):

If you are in the market looking for the best diamond and custom handmade engagement ring. Contact Us. Let us know what your budget is and what you are looking for.

From this initial information, we will swiftly find and email you 4 to 5 center diamond options. Unlike other traditional or online dealers, I am not looking to sell you anything. But will provide you honest, frank, and objective opinion on what we think is best in the budget you offer.

This service is free, and there absolutely no commitment to buy any of our suggestions. The only thing you have to do is not respond to our email and you won't hear from us again! So, you truly have nothing to lose!

How do we compile this diamond list? Our search process is provided below:

1) We first will contact our local diamond supply network and check if there are any stones that fit your requirement in Bangkok. We have over 50 contacts in Bangkok and will check ALL to make sure we can provide you with the best deal.

2) If not satisfied, we will then check online through our extensive global network sifting through over 900,000+ diamonds. and will find you the best diamond. The only setback when choosing the diamond from this global list is, that it can take one to two weeks to arrive in Bangkok.

What type of engagement rings can you make and how are they made?

1) We usually set our engagement rings in 18k yellow or white gold or 950 platinum settings. Our rings are all hand-crafted and made by highly skilled Thai craftsmen.

Examples in some of the rings we made you can see on our YouTube channel and are shown below:

YouTube Channel PLAY LIST

_____________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world

All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

You can learn more by clicking here or image below
What will you get if you contact us

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Custom Made Wedding Rings & Bands from Bangkok, Thailand

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Custom Wedding Rings and Bands from Bangkok. Create your one-of-a-kind rings for your one-of-a-kind union. Platinum or 18K Gold.

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Are Engagement Rings Cheaper in Thailand? - Thai vs US Online Retailers

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Are engagement rings cheaper in Bangkok, Thailand? In this article, we compare actual prices between Thai Retailers vs Popular US Online Retailers

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Best Deal For Diamond Engagement Ring Online

Decision time! Picking and choosing the best deal for your diamond engagement ring online can be agonizing. Even if you have done your research, learned about '4Cs,' and decided what you want, how should you check you got a good deal?

Nowadays you can now get many price options from:
a) Large online sellers
b) Big brand diamond retailers
c) Your neighboorhood jewelry shop
d) Diamond wholesaler

Assuming, they all provided you with similar diamond options, metal settings & ring designs, how do you check which of these options are the best ones? The answer should be a simple one, right? The cheapest one!

Best Deal For Diamond Engagement Ring - Cheapest Best Option?

Unfortunately, when purchasing a diamond engagement ring, it is not always the case that the cheapest option is the best deal because not all diamonds or ring quality are the same!

Yes, there are brands like Tiffany, Cartier, etc. that can provide consistent quality control which you can trust when compared with your traditional non-branded stores.

Yet, they do take mark-ups of over 300% for this trust. So, you definitely will not get the best diamond engagement ring deal with these big brands.

How Do I Check If I Am Getting The Best Deal For My Diamond Engagement Ring?

With the online resources we have now. It is very easy to check if the diamond engagement ring you are getting is a good deal or not.

I hope that my comprehensive step-by-step guide below will help answer the question and make you more comfortable with your engagement ring choice.

This is the most important step and I have written about this many times in my previous blog posts, which you can check here and here.

The most expensive component of a diamond engagement ring is the center diamond.

You have to make sure when comparing the different quotations that:
a) The diamonds are 'certified' with the same lab
b) Have similar carat weight, dimensions, color, cut, clarity, and fluorescence grades.

If any of these criteria were different this will change and affect the diamond price. So you have to compare apples to apples and not apples to oranges.

Center diamond usually consists of 80% to 95% of the 'total ring cost.' Other components though important are not very critical from a financial point of view.

(STEP 2): Check If The Price You Are Getting The Center Diamond For is Competitive

With the center diamond specification, you can now check from various online platforms "For free" and see if the center diamond you are getting is 'competitively priced'

I found the most useful websites to check these prices are the largest 'exclusive' US online retailers like James Allen & Blue Nile.

The prices published on these sites are so competitive that they are to what the diamond wholesalers sell at the 'retail' jeweler level.

There are other websites in the UK, Australia, etc... and they will provide prices for specific diamond specifications online.

By just doing a quick search and checking these websites, it can save hundreds or thousands of dollars.

(STEP 3): Check the Quality of Metal Used in Setting The Ring

When getting the quotation from a retailer, they should provide details of what type of metal they are going to use to set your diamond in.

You can verify this by checking the quality stamp inside the finished ring which ensures the metal quality of the ring.

Different Countries Metal Standardization

Each country has its 'different' metal logo standards. The stamp seen inside the ring almost guarantees that the metal type & quality used are accurate. Most manufacturers would not try to falsify this stamp as it is not worth the 'trouble' to face legal problems from their local or export authorities.

However, there are some countries where the rules are not enforced 100% and therefore the stamp exaggerates the metal quality. An example of this occurring is in a big consumer country like India.

For manufacturers in India, this falsifying of metal quality is where they make their margins because the consumers there are tough negotiators and are usually 'experts' in calculating 'all the cost components.'

Usually for diamond engagement rings the standard metal used are:

Gold ranging from 14K to 18K white, yellow or rose gold

White Palladium ranging from 14K to 18K

Platinum ranging from 900 to 950 (90% to 95% purity)

Personal opinion: I would not recommend getting a diamond engagement ring set above 18K due to the metal being very malleable and not sturdy enough to hold the diamonds securely.
This criterion is a lot trickier to verify and check and this is where many retailers, dealers, or online sellers make their money.

As there is no standard third-party certificate for the small diamonds you will have to trust what the jeweler says regarding the diamond quality. this is where trusting the company or person you are dealing with really counts.

The difference in price for a low-quality small diamond let us say around 0.02 carat diamond (or 2 pointers) to high-quality diamond can almost be 400%

Price Difference Between Low & High Quality Side Diamonds

For example, a low-quality diamond (bad cut, low clarity and color) can cost around US$200 per carat while a higher-quality diamond will cost US$800 per carat.

Usually, for higher-end jewelers, the standard small diamond quality used to set in their jewelry is G to H color, VS1-clarity with top cut grades. This is considered the middle range.

Once these diamonds are set in the ring they will look white & sparkly and clarity grade 'perception' goes up almost two grades. Therefore, VS1 diamond now looks like a VVS1 diamond.

How to Check Your Side Diamonds?

So, how should you check the quality of these side diamonds? I usually recommend anyone buying jewelry to just take a look and see if the small diamonds 'look attractive' - i.e. Are they white, sparkly with no eye-visible inclusions?

If the answer is yes, you can almost safely say the quality is in the middle range or higher.

Another way to check the small diamond quality is by comparing how they look versus the center diamond which should be certified by reliable third-party certification.

With this comparison, you can check if the small diamonds look similar or more yellow or brown compared to the center diamond. The same looking usually means similar color, clarity and cut grade.

Finally, please note that for most ring designs the side diamonds are usually a small component of the total ring cost.

So, if your ring only has 0.10 carat of small diamonds the price difference between the lowest quality and highest quality is only US$60!

So, please don't take this component so seriously in this case. Of course, if your ring design requires more side diamonds these differences will add up very quickly, so please use your judgment when checking this criterion.

(STEP 5): Check How Much It Will Cost To Make The Ring Setting Using The Metal Quality And Diamond Quality You Found from Step 2 & 3.

You must be wondering how the large US online retailers make their money if they are selling their center diamonds almost at diamond wholesale prices [Step 2].

One thing they have learned very quickly is the 'same simple trick' blade manufacturers or printing manufacturers (i.e. Gillette or HP) use when selling their products.

As an end-consumer, you will always get the shaving razor or printer cheap. As this sucks you in and forces you to buy their more lucrative cash cow products. Like shaving blades or printer ink.

The same way the US online retailers entice you in buying the center diamond. And then over-charge you by setting the diamond with their finished jewelry collection. Because there is no point for you to get only the diamond without the finished ring mount.

So, this is actually a very important step to check if the 'total engagement ring cost' is competitive. Center diamond plus the ring setting costs.

To check how much a ring mounting should cost. You can actually check some examples in our other blog-post here. Which briefly discusses pricing.

If you compare these prices with most online retailers you will see how much more they charge.

(STEP 6): Check The Reputation of The Company, Store, and People You Are Dealing With!

This actually should be the first criteria in any diamond engagement ring purchase.

Our business is based on trust. And if you cannot trust who you are dealing with. You will not be confident in what they are providing for your finished product.

The good thing is nowadays you can check the reputation of many companies by doing simple searches. Through , Google TripAdvisor or Social media (i.e. Facebook or Instagram).

You will usually find some reviews from end-consumers about their purchase experiences.

Personally, I will trust Facebook or Google more than some random review websites. As they have a 'picture' attached to the testimonial. This just makes it slightly difficult to 'fake' a review.

By following all the steps above and doing your due diligence. I am confident that you will get an amazing deal for your diamond engagement ring purchase.

Thai Native Gems Diamond Search & Custom Engagement Ring service:

If you are in the market looking for the best diamond and custom hand made engagement ring. Contact Us. Let us know what your budget is and what you are looking for.

From this initial information, we will swiftly find and email you 4 to 5 center diamond options. Unlike other traditional or online dealers, I am not looking to sell you anything. But will provide you honest, frank and objective opinion in what we think is best in the budget you offer.

This service is free, and there absolutely no commitment to buy any of our suggestions. The only thing you have to do is not respond to our email and you won't hear from us again! So, you truly have nothing to lose!

How do we compile this diamond list? Our search process is provided below:

1) We first will contact our local diamond supply network and check if there are any stones that fit your requirement in Bangkok. We have over 50 contacts in Bangkok and will check ALL to make sure we can provide you the best deal.

2) If not satisfied, we will then check online through our extensive global network sifting through over 900,000+ diamonds. and will find you the best diamond. The only setback when choosing the diamond from this global list is, it can take one to two weeks to arrive to Bangkok.

What type engagement rings can you make and how are they made?

1) We usually set our engagement rings in 18k yellow or white gold or 950 platinum settings. Our rings are all hand-crafted and made by highly skilled Thai craftsmen.

Examples in some of the rings we made you can see on our YouTube channel and shown below:

YouTube Channel PLAY LIST

_____________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world

All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

You can learn more by clicking here or image below

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Step by Step Comprehensive Guide: How to get the best deal for your diamond engagement ring

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Best deal for diamond ring - 6 Steps one should look at to get best deal for diamond engagement ring - Verify, Good Price, Finish Ring Quality, Reputation

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How much does a diamond ring cost?  Based on Custom Jeweler Perspective

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Are sapphires OK or nice enough for an engagement ring? The simple answer is Yes.

Yes, they are good enough and in fact, good quality sapphire can be quite expensive! High quality sapphires are also harder to find than diamonds and sourcing a beautiful one is actually a bigger challenge.

Challenges in acquiring a nice sapphire include:

Require physically seeing the stone as pictures do not show true color, clarity, and fire.

Gem labs still do not provide all the required details we need to be confident in buying a sapphire base only on their certificate.

The limited supply of high quality stones, so there is fewer of them to compare with.

Most retailers globally do not have experience dealing with them. So they cannot explain the different treatments they have gone through.

Luckily as we are located in Bangkok, one of the major gemstones capital of the world, we can solve most of the above issues. Also having dealt with sapphires for more than 15 years, we can now distinguish what a good quality sapphire is and whether is it a 'fair' price based on the various factors.

Anyways, I believe the best testimonial regarding how experienced we are is by providing examples of sapphire engagement rings we have made over the years. Not once had our clients complained or not thought they were good enough for their engagement ring.

The main factor we must look at when buying a sapphire is 4Cs+OT quality which we will explain below.

Also, many famous people and celebrities wear sapphire engagement rings which I have provided below.

Famous people or Celebrities Wearing Sapphire rings

One of the most famous sapphire engagement rings is worn by Princess Diana which is now handed down to Princess Kate Middleton.

Princess Diana chose this ring from a catalog and the center stone was 12 carat Ceylon (Sri Lankan) blue sapphire. So even the British royal family considered a blue sapphire a 'nice' engagement ring option, so will give you good enough reason to consider it.

This ring is also not cheap with an estimated value of US$400,000 to US$550,000, though some people will consider it priceless now with the history it has.

Other influential women who wear sapphire rings are:

Elizabeth Taylor

Victoria Beckham

Penelope Cruz

Elizabeth Hurley

Blue Sapphires are Scratch Resistance & Durable
Sapphires are naturally hard stones - rated in Mohs scale 9 - only diamonds scale higher than this. This means only materials equal to or above this scale can scratch it. Therefore, only another sapphire (or corundum) or diamond can scratch it.

This makes them durable to wear on rings or any other type of jewelry. So, the wearer does not have to worry about getting it crack or scratch easily, and it will last for generations.

Sapphires come in many colors

Sapphires come in all colors, so only your imagination is your limit.

The most famous sapphire color is blue hue. Most people consider blue their favorite color so there is no wonder it is one most popular color gemstones in the world.

Some definition of blue color definitions used in the trade is provided below:

We recommend seeing the different colors on the Lotus lab website.

Red hues or Rubies are also in-famous in the sapphire family. That is why it has a different name and category.

Other famous sapphire colors are pink, teal (mixture blue and green), padparadscha (mixture of orange and pink), green, yellow, purple, etc.,

How should one go about buying a blue sapphire engagement ring?

When buying a blue sapphire, one should consider six factors that I have listed below so they can determine the correct price and quality.

I called these as 4Cs + OT

Color - It is defined three dimensionally - hue, tone, saturation.

Carat Weight

Clarity - in terms of number of inclusions and transparency of the stone (opaque, translucent or transparent).

Cut Grade - In terms of how sparkle and light return the stone has.

Origin - Where the blue sapphire is from? Certain origins command a higher price.

Treatment - What level of treatment the blue sapphire has gone through? The more treatment the cheaper it gets.

For high-quality sapphires, we can verify a lot of these criteria based on reliable third-party certificate.

Most gem certificates will state the carat weight, color, origin, and treatment.

Though we highly recommend to please verify the color from a trustworthy jeweler, gem dealer, or gemologist. Only through the naked eye can we verify the three-dimensional color.

Examples of Blue Sapphire Rings We Made in the Past

Video:

The ring is custom-made with GIA certified 4.58 carat Blue Sapphire center supported with 0.83-carat halo diamonds and set in platinum (PT950).

Video:

This ring was custom made with our 2.42 carat Blue Sapphire center supported with 0.70-carat pavé diamonds and set in platinum (PT950).

Video:

This ring was custom made with 1.13 carat Octagon cut Blue Sapphire ring set with 0.32 carat Emerald Cut Side Diamonds and 18K White Gold.

Video:

This ring is set with Certified, Oval cut, 2.08 carats, Vivid Blue Sapphire Center, and supported with halo 0.32 carats round brilliant diamonds set in Platinum (PT950).

Video:

This ring was custom-made GIA Certified 2.03 carat Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring supported with 0.32 carat side diamonds set in 18K Rose Gold!

Currently available for sale: https://www.thainativegems.com/product/gia-certified-2-03-carats-vivid-cornflower-blue-sapphire-diamond-halo-pave-engagement-ring/

Video:

This ring is custom made with vintage style 1.47 carats pear shape center blue sapphire supported with 0.14 carats diamonds and 9K yellow gold!

Custom made this beautiful square cushion cut blue sapphire engagement ring set with pavê diamonds and 18K white gold!

What is our Custom Make Process?

1. Provide us a design you would like to make

2. We will then forward you a 'rough' price quotation

3. Once the price is agreed upon we start the 3D CAD Design process - an example of what the CAD looks like is provided below.

4. Once the design is approved we will custom-make the ring for you. The total time from start the finish usually takes 3 to 5 weeks.

Thai Native Gems Gemstone Search & Custom Engagement Ring service (Best way to buy gemstones in Bangkok):

If you are in the market looking for the best gemstone and custom handmade engagement ring. Contact Us. Let us know what your budget is and what you are looking for.

From this initial information, we will swiftly find and email you gemstone options available in the market right now. Unlike other traditional or online dealers, I am not looking to sell you anything. But will provide you honest, frank, and objective opinion on what we think is best in the budget you offer.

This service is free, and there absolutely no commitment to buy any of our suggestions. The only thing you have to do is not respond to our email and you won't hear from us again! So, you truly have nothing to lose!

How do we compile this gemstone list? Our search process is provided below:

1) We first will contact our local gemstone supply network and check if there are any stones that fit your requirement in Bangkok. We have over 50 contacts in Bangkok and will check ALL to make sure we can provide you with the best deal.

2) If not satisfied, we will then check online through our extensive global network sifting though we usually do this in last resort as we prefer seeing the gemstone in person to make sure the color is accurate and as described.

What type of engagement rings can you make and how are they made?

1) We usually set our engagement rings in 18k yellow or white gold or 950 platinum settings. Our rings are all hand-crafted and made by highly skilled Thai craftsmen.

Examples in some of the rings we made you can see on our YouTube channel and are shown below:

YouTube Channel PLAY LIST

_____________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world

All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach

You can learn more by clicking here or image below

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Are Blue Sapphires OK or Nice Engagement Ring option? - Buy Gemstone Info

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Blue sapphire engagement ring option good enough? Yes, Of course! Seven examples of Custom Sapphire Engagement Rings are shown here.

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Are Emeralds a good choice for an engagement ring?

For a very long time, diamonds have been the center stone choice for a bride's engagement ring.

The diamond industry, especially De Beers marketed diamonds so well that it seems to be the only engagement ring choice. That's why, when thinking about an engagement ring, the average consumer associates it only with diamonds. Most people forget that the 'big three' gemstones, which include Sapphires, Rubies, and Emeralds also exist.

Traditionally, prior to De Beers' remarkable marketing campaign, royalty or noble elites frequently opted for gemstones as gifts because, in fact, they were equally or even 'rarer' than the unexciting 'white diamond.'

Now let us look at the difference between diamonds & emeralds by comparing their characteristics as shown in the table below.

Difference between Emerald and Diamond Table

As you can see diamonds are a lot more resistant and durable than emeralds. Does it make a better choice for an engagement ring? Let us continue with the discussion below.

Emeralds have become a new trend in recent times

From the inquiries I get today, it's evident that emerald rings are becoming increasingly popular. Furthermore, more couples are looking for something different and out of the ordinary. Consequently, they are choosing colored gemstones like an Emerald, which can add beauty, color, and spunk to their engagement rings, as you will see from ring examples below.

You must have heard the phrase, 'Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder', which conveys the idea that the perception of beauty is subjective and varies from person to person. Emeralds, like all gemstones, embody the very idea. While some are captivated by their rich green hues, conversely, others may find beauty in a different color or other gemstones.

So, if green makes your heart go aflutter, then emerald may be a choice for your engagement ring. Now, let us see why an emerald can be a good choice for an engagement ring.

SO, WHAT MAKES AN EMERALD A GOOD CHOICE FOR AN ENGAGEMENT RING?

Rare

Emeralds are much more rare than diamonds. Consequently, due to their rarity, high-quality emeralds command a higher price, and this appreciates in value each year.

Unique

Emeralds have an intense green color. This uniqueness can set it apart from the typical choice of a diamond engagement ring. Therefore, if you love the color green, consider that emerald may be a good choice for you.

History

Emeralds have a history of being treasured by various kings, queens, and civilizations. Emeralds signified wealth, power, fertility, and immortality and it is known that Cleopatra used to love wearing them. What better ambassador for Emeralds!

Popularity

Emeralds have become hugely popular amongst celebrities around the world. Victoria Beckham (reportedly costing £700,000), Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis (2.84 carat Emerald stone set in her ring), Rita Ora (Columbian Emerald ring worth US$500,000) and Halle Berry (4-carat Columbian Emerald ring worth US$200,000) are a few of the celebrities wear emerald engagement rings.

It is rare to find flawless emeralds. For that reason, they are typically sold at auctions at overwhelming prices. Consequently, their rarity and demand contribute to their high market value. One on the top of the list would be the 'Rockefeller Emerald', 18.4 carats sold for US$5.5 million. The gem was originally bought by John D. Rockefeller for his wife.

Getting a beautiful, intense, and eye-clean emerald is no easy feat and comes with its own challenges.

Seeing is believing

Like any colored gemstone, the color is very subjective. Furthermore, the vivid hue of color is what gives the gemstone its oomph factor, in addition to its clarity and fire. The camera just fails to capture the true essence of their beauty. Hence, it is very important that you either see the emerald for yourself or, alternatively, have a trusted gemologist have a look at the stone before the purchase.

Certificate

A gemstone certificate may not be able to tell you all the details that may help you with your purchase.

Limited Supply

The supply of emeralds in the market is far less than diamonds. Moreover, they are found in select regions like Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil. Emeralds are also formed in tougher geological conditions as compared to diamonds, which makes mining more difficult for them compared to diamonds that are found in more regions and are formed in more common geological conditions across the world. As a result, there are fewer of them to compare with.

Knowing what you are buying:

Most retailers globally may not have enough experience in dealing with emeralds. They may be just sellers who may not have a good eye or knowledge to explain the different treatments they have gone through.

HOW SHOULD ONE GO ABOUT BUYING AN EMERALD ENGAGEMENT RING?

When buying an emerald, one should consider six factors which I have listed below. Consequently, they can determine the correct price and quality.

We called these as 4Cs + OT method.

Color - It is defined three dimensionally- hue, tone, and saturation.

Carat Weight

Clarity - in terms of number of inclusions and transparency of the stone (opaque, translucent, or transparent).

Cut Grade - In terms of how sparkle and light return the stone has.

Origin - Where the emerald is from? Certain origins command a higher price.

Treatment - What level of treatment has the emerald gone through? The more treatment the cheaper it gets.

For high-quality emeralds, we can verify a lot of these criteria based on reliable third-party certificates.

Most gem certificates will state the carat weight, color, origin, and treatment.

We highly recommend that you verify the color from a trustworthy jeweler, gem dealer, or gemologist. Only through the naked eye can we verify the three-dimensional color.

Emeralds come in many color ranges

By definition, emeralds's dominant color needs to be a 'green' hue with medium 'saturation' or above. If the beryl (emeralds family) is too light in saturation or tone, gemologists or reputable labs will call the gemstones as a 'green beryl' and not an emerald. Emeralds can also have slight side colors like bluish-green or yellowish-green.

Some definition of emerald color definitions used in the trade is provided below:

Vivid Green

Vivid Very-Slight Bluish-Green

Vivid Very-Strong Bluish-Green

Green

Very-Slight Bluish-Green

Very-Strong Bluish-Green

Yellowish-Green

EXAMPLE OF EMERALD RINGS WE HAVE MADE IN THE PAST ARE SHOWN BELOW:

Emerald Engagement Ring Good Engagement Ring? Option One

Video:

Custom made with Ultra-Rare GRS certified, 'Top-Muzo Green' Vivid Green 3.88 carat Colombian Emerald supported with tapered Diamonds & 18K White Gold.

Emerald Engagement Ring Good Engagement Ring? Option Two

Video:

Custom made with GIA certified 1.22 carat Zambian Emerald and 18K Yellow Gold!

Emerald Engagement Ring Good Engagement Ring? Option Three

Video:

Custom made with this man ring with GIA Certified 1.73 carats Vivid Green Emerald set in 18K Yellow Gold!

Emerald Engagement Ring Good Engagement Ring? Option Four

Video:

Custom made with 1.63 carat Round Vivid Green Emerald center supported with 0.49-carat side diamonds and Platinum (PT950).

What is our Custom Make Process?

1. Provide us a design you would like to make.

2. We will then forward you a 'rough' price quotation.

3. Once the price is agreed upon we start the 3D CAD Design process - an example of what the CAD looks like is provided below.

4. Once the design is approved we will custom-make the ring for you. The total time from start the finish usually takes 3 to 5 weeks.

Thai Native Gems Gemstone Search & Custom Engagement Ring service (Best way to buy gemstones in Bangkok):

If you are in the market looking for the best gemstone and custom handmade engagement ring - Contact Us - and let us know what your budget is and what you are looking for.

From this initial information, we will swiftly find and email you gemstone options available in the market right now. Unlike other traditional or online dealers, I am not looking to sell you anything. We will provide you honest, frank, and objective opinion on what we think is best in the budget you offer.

This service is free, and there absolutely no commitment to buy any of our suggestions. The only thing you have to do is not respond to our email and you won't hear from us again! So, you truly have nothing to lose!

How do we compile this gemstone list? Our search process is provided below:

1) We first will contact our local gemstone supply network and check if there are any stones that fit your requirements in Bangkok. We have over 50 contacts in Bangkok and will check ALL to make sure we can provide you with the best deal.

2) If not satisfied, we will then check online through our extensive global network. However, we usually do this as a last resort as we prefer seeing the gemstone in person to make sure the color is accurate and as described.

What type of engagement rings can you make and how are they made?

1) We usually set our engagement rings in 18k yellow or white gold or 950 platinum settings. Our rings are all hand-crafted and made by highly skilled Thai craftsmen.

Examples in some of the rings we made you can see on our YouTube channel and are shown below:

YouTube Channel PLAY LIST

_____________
Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us

Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/.

Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world.

All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified.

We provide personalized service and NOT the same old "One Size Fits All" Approach.

You can learn more by clicking here.

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Are Emeralds a Good Choice for an Engagement Ring? - Buy Gemstone Info

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Are emeralds a good choice for an engagement rings? Yes, Of course! Four examples of Custom Emeralds Engagement Rings are shown here.