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Pawn shops or where to find 2nd hand diamond rings?
But - anyone who knows, diamonds are actually barely worth their weight - and once it leaves a jewelry shop, it's worth even less. The… Looking to buy a diamond engagement ring for the gf to be wife.
But - anyone who knows, diamonds are actually barely worth their weight - and once it leaves a jewelry shop, it's worth even less. The high cost of diamonds is just marketing and they're not rare or expensive at all. Tried to explain to the gf, but I guess she still wants something. Doesn't have to be big or fancy.
So I figure with the high divorce rate there might be some places that sell 2nd hand jewelry/ diamond rings that maybe I can get a decent sized one - say 1+ carat - for a fraction of what they would cost at the jeweler's.
Yes there's lab grown but they can still be a bit pricey (in the sense it's a glorified tough piece of glass) - some shops I've seen around 50-80k thb. Wondering if I could then get a 1ct for say 30-40k thb, or a 2ct for the 50-60k.
Yes I like to chase after deals.
So wondering if there would be some place where I could shop for 2nd hand diamond rings.
But failing that, would be keen on recommendations for good price shops - preferably with online presence.
Also I've read that one can get just the diamond and have it set at a different shop, and that would be cheaper as well?
honestly for 2nd hand stuff the main place locals go is the gold shops around Yaowarat, especially along Trok Itsaranuphap and the side sois off Charoen Krung. but heads up, most Thai gold shops deal in baht gold (96.5%) and treat diamonds as an afterthought, so you won't find a big selection of loose 1ct stones there. the real second-hand diamond market runs through the jewelry trade fairs at Impact Muang Thong Thani and BITEC, they happen a few times a year and that's where dealers dump estate pieces.
on your budget, 30-40k for 1ct second hand is optimistic unless the stone has visible inclusions or a bad cut. 2ct at 50-60k basically doesn't exist outside lab grown or scam listings. the "buy loose stone then set it" route does save money but the setting labor in BKK isn't cheap anymore, a decent gold band plus setting runs 8-15k depending on the shop.
check the Facebook groups like "ตลาดมือสองเครื่องประดับ" and the Pantip marketplace, sellers there are mostly individuals offloading after breakups. always get the cert checked, GIA or at least AIGS, and meet at a shop that can verify on the spot. lots of treated or moissanite being passed off as natural in the cheap listings.
try the gia or aigs report first then hit up the jewelry trade at the old Sampeng market lanes, not just Yaowarat proper. there are little family stalls in the sois behind it that deal estate pieces and loose stones, mostly walk in no website. also check pawn shops around Nana & Phloen Chit, the expat ones near the BTS, they get rings from foreigners leaving thailand and sometimes sell cheap. bring a loupe & dont trust the first price, everything is negotiable
best som tam in Bangkok? Krua Dok Mai Kao 2026
Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.
for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.
honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush
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