Buying sight unseen from one particular jewelry store I know in New York would be an option but getting a surprise customs bill doubling the price in between X months and a week from never is not. Not looking for even US average, just real, better than industrial grade, and nice for here.
I have had good luck checking out pawn shops. They have jewelry that was pre-owned/pawned but still very nice at reasonable cost and usually significantly cheaper than most retail jewelers who usually have a 400% markup. I also recommend white gold. Most Filipino thieves are stupid and think it is silver and not worth their time when in fact it is more valuable.
"Oh, so you 'need' gold and diamonds do ya? Well, you're in luck, sweetie!" "Have fun with that. Peace!"
Wrong Pick and Carry, the one you need is in Perdices Street in Town, Towards Silliman from Lee Plaza on the Right hand side not far after Mc D'os ( The New one that is)
I have been in the large jewelry store you are talking about. Nothing engraved on the rings to tell you if it is 10k and so on. I looked all over Duma and decided not to buy here. Maybe a cheap one for the time being and a better one later on. Thailand would be a good choice.
I think it is far too risky to buy any type of jewelry in Asia. If you walk away with a fake and realize it later there is absolutely no way you are going to be able to convince any court that you didn't take it home and swap it out for a fake. Too much greed, to much corruption, no such thing as justice or integrity....I simply don't trust doing business in Asia.
Lanao has changed their name to Ranao.. Over the past 10 or so years I have had gold rings and silver bracelets made by them..Good and reasonable work...Just take them a pic of what you want..
I have purchased a enough diamond rings in what I would say were disappointing investments.. There were all nice stuff from good jewelers I knew personally. However at this point in time, I would not put a nice large flashy diamond on a Filipina... for her own safety. If she needs a large flashy ring, then buy her one then buy a matching fake to wear. If ever confronted by robbers she can hand it over without remorse, knowing the good stuff is safe at home. I hope she will feel the same about you: "the good stuff is safe at home."
My refusal to buy diamonds has absolutely nothing to do with the risks of it getting stolen. I won't buy them because it is an idiotic "investment": Diamonds Are Bullshit Any woman who has been informed of this and then still demands a diamond is not someone I would ever want to have a legal right to half my stuff. Unlike gold and other precious metals, diamonds are not rare and their value is determined solely by the companies that control the mining of these worthless rocks.
