Asia might be home to some of the world’s major gem trading hubs, but for tourists looking to buy precious stones when they travel in the region, fears of fakes and scams can be a huge deterrent.

However, gemologists say there’s little to worry about if travelers are careful and heed some basic tips on how to discern real stones from the phonies.

An overview of the main markets

Which Jewelry Stores Buy Diamonds

Most of the gems sold in these three centers are imported from other parts of the world.

Buy Single Diamonds

10 of Bangkok’s best new restaurants

Tips and tricks of the trade

So how can a buyer know for certain a gem is legit?

Buy Man Made Diamonds

He launched the two-hour workshops after seeing how many tourists were fearful of being sold fake gems by unscrupulous traders.

Buy Diamonds In Thailand Thailand

The golden rule, especially when buying expensive stones, is to have them assessed for quality and authenticity at a reliable gem analysis laboratory before purchase.

Shor says these reports include a “scientific and impartial assessment of the gem.

Buy Coloured Diamonds

Thanachakaphad says the very act of asking to do a lab analysis on a gem would help flush out unreliable traders.

“It shows that you’re not stupid, that you know what you’re doing,” he says.

Buy Diamonds Las Vegas

Doh! 20 biggest travel mistakes

Buy Blue Diamonds

“If the trader doesn’t agree to have the gem tested at a lab then you know they’re not honest, and you can just move to another shop. Any honest trader will be happy to have a gem tested if you’re a serious buyer.”

Buy Gia Diamonds

Thanachakaphad concedes lab reports are not always feasible due to time constraints for tourists, or perhaps the cost may be prohibitive when buying cheaper gems.

If lack of time is the problem, then buyers wanting an expensive stone should hire a consultant from a gem analysis lab to provide on-the-spot advice.

In other cases, Thanachakaphad says there are several ways to avoid buying fake gems and get the best price on real stones:

Learn the lingo

Pick up some basic terms relating to gems, particularly the type of stone you’re interested in, and use them in conversation with a seller to show you’re not an easy mark.

If you have done some basic research about a particular gem you will be able to ask the seller about things like its cut, color, clarity and source.

Direct Buy Diamonds

Look out for fakes

Fake gemstones often have shadowing (double lines) along each of their cuts. Real ones don’t.

When assessing diamonds, a real stone’s color should be stronger when you look at it from the back. Fake diamonds tend to have brighter colors when you look at them from the front.

Buy Lab Created Diamonds

‘Game of Thrones’ ice hotel opens in Lapland

A wide product range?

Untrustworthy gem shops often have very big product ranges, trying to distract you with their variety. Reliable shops typically have smaller ranges.

Buy Diamonds In Thailand Free

Don’t trust tour guides and taxi drivers

Avoid dealing with gem traders recommended by a tour guide, a taxi driver or a tout. These people normally get paid hefty commissions to bring you into an unreliable gem shop.

Compare prices and sale tactics

If you want to shop for gems by yourself, make sure you visit several different stores to compare prices and also to note the behavior and sale tactics of the staff in each shop.

You will start to identify patterns of behavior, which will help you avoid being scammed.

Where To Buy Diamonds

Ask to see qualifications

Before you travel to a city to buy gems, research reviews of shops online to find the best-regarded traders. Ask to see their qualifications.

If you enjoyed this post and you would like to receive even more facts regarding Can You Buy Cheap Diamonds In Thailand (diamonds.backtoglamour.com) kindly visit our own web site.