BKK Gem fair

[missyminx]

I'm excited to be on my first trip to the fair and will post pics as much as I can.

I've got a few basic questions though:

Should I bring USD or THB to the fair? Which currency would be more in my favour?

I'm reading the basics I should look out for when checking out stones apart from colour/lustre/inclusions.

Would it be easy to spot if a stone is glass filled or oiled? Or can I take the seller's word for it if they display "no treatment" in their booth?

I just learned about "open colour" yesterday, but how do you check whether the stone darkens if I'm with the vendor indoors?

Currently I would like to find a pastel pink or purple stone. Like @icy_jade 's colour changing sapphire.

 

[AV_]

It is difficult to recognize treatments, so there should be a laboratory report stating untreated status or specifying treatment. GIA BKK & the Lotus lab come to mind.

Colour would stand out among many stones to compare. I would want to see the sapphire with the pavilion shades (between two aligned fingers).

It is not unheard of to have a stone sent to your jeweler or other trade third party for further inspection, just a perk.

2c

 

[icy_jade]

Think USD is probably easier as all vendors would accept USD.

Re: stones as @AV_ mentioned, certification. If there is a reliable lab at the fair like GIT you can probably get a cert on the spot if the vendor doesn’t have an existing decent cert (or to get it retested if you don’t know/trust the cert).

Mine came with a GIA one - just an extract showing how it looks when there is color change:


Bring a loupe with light (easier to see than unlighted one), uv light and also use phone light/torchlight as needed to see the stones. I try to see the stone out of the spotlights (see in shadow/cover with hand, etc). Flip the stones around to see inclusions. Put in ring holder (I bring my own and ask permission) to see how it looks/window etc.

For stones on black background, put between fingers/white background esp moonstones and opals etc.

For spinels and rubies and sapphires check for fluorescence.

Ask if can reserve item with a small deposit and walk around to cool off and see the market if needed...

I also have a bad habit of forgetting to wear back my jewelry so I usually don’t wear any jewelry when I’m serious about shopping but that’s just me

Can’t rem who usually goes to the BKK fair...
@Burmesedaze @ChaiK @Seaglow ?

 

[praween_s]

I’ll be go there too tomorrow. Looking around if I could find soulmates there.

 

[ChaiK]

Think USD is probably easier as all vendors would accept USD.

Re: stones as @AV_ mentioned, certification. If there is a reliable lab at the fair like GIT you can probably get a cert on the spot if the vendor doesn’t have an existing decent cert (or to get it retested if you don’t know/trust the cert).

Mine came with a GIA one - just an extract showing how it looks when there is color change:


Bring a loupe with light (easier to see than unlighted one), uv light and also use phone light/torchlight as needed to see the stones. I try to see the stone out of the spotlights (see in shadow/cover with hand, etc). Flip the stones around to see inclusions. Put in ring holder (I bring my own and ask permission) to see how it looks/window etc.

For stones on black background, put between fingers/white background esp moonstones and opals etc.

For spinels and rubies and sapphires check for fluorescence.

Ask if can reserve item with a small deposit and walk around to cool off and see the market if needed...

I also have a bad habit of forgetting to wear back my jewelry so I usually don’t wear any jewelry when I’m serious about shopping but that’s just me

Can’t rem who usually goes to the BKK fair...
@Burmesedaze @ChaiK @Seaglow ?

Not me. I am too far in Europe. But I am a good bargain hunter after many many lessons.

 

[Tartansparkles]

Sounds exciting. Looking forward to seeing pictures and hearing how you get on.