Your Gemolo-girl speaking ^^:How do I (or any other gem traders) get the gemstones??

I got asked this question a lot of times so I thought it will be an interesting topic and useful knowledge for everyone! Today I'll take you to the basic of gemstone tradings!

Many of us like and wear jewelries, such as earrings, rings, necklace, etc. For those jewelries that are adorned with real gemstones (such as ruby, sapphire, diamonds, emeralds, etc), the gemstones got to come from somewhere (I'm not talking abt the shop where you bought it from) :) and it's only natural if people are curious as to how we (gemologist and gems trader) obtain our gemstones. Let's take a peek!

While I was in Thailand, I frequented many gemstones' trading places. On contrary to general extreme assumption (people usually thinks I got the gemstones straight from the mines with all those dynamites to blast the rocks OR from a high tech store with 24/7 super strict surveillance), the real gemstone tradings are still very much traditional with trust plays an integral part of the transactions.The tradings are done in an area called gemstone market.

Here's Chantaburi, one of the main hub for gemstones trading in Thailand. In this old market, people sell and buy stones on the street, alongside the food sellers LOLz...for real...




Here's one of the town's oldest market corner, where buyer sits down and wait for sellers to come and introduce their stones. All transactions are in cash, no refund. Quick and sharp observations as well as experiences are crucial, since there are many crooks trying to sell synthetics and fakes. But once you got caught selling 'lemons', you're out of the game...pretty much... it's quite a tough and unforgiving market...
Here's another market's corners. Look at the crowds... they are all mixture of buyer and (mostly) sellers/brokers. This humble place and the one I mentioned above have been around for at least 100 years, and still unchanged.
Below is the relatively new market centre, with air-con... Seller can hire a table for the day and write down all his requirements that he needs, and wait for abit....
Within a few minutes (literally)...sellers from all corners with any gemstones that meet buyer's spec come and present their 'wares'. That's my friend sitting (sleeveless top), that particular day he was looking for blue sapphires and rubies.

Selection is made while those sellers watching you. For many who just begun, this is quite a tough mental test as you need to fully concentrate on the gemstones and make your decision quickly (usually in less than 5-10mins).

Can't speak Thai? Not a problem, that's why they invented calculator :) tough bargain is part of the transactions. When the price is agreed, then the cash and the gemstone exchanges hands.
Even seasonal and experienced buyers got duped once or twice in a very long while. But that's how you learn in this field, unfortunately there's no other safer way if you choose this kind of market. But also, if you master your skills, then you're ahead of your competitors since you get more bargains by cutting middle-man. So gemstones trading could be a tricky field :) But I love it...and I enjoy the games...

Well...this is only a very brief preview of what actually happens on the market. Not every gem trader physically go down to trading towns like this one due to the risks involved. There are safer alternatives but price-wise, way more expensive...but each to his/her own way in doing business ;)

My advice:
Educate yourself before you make a purchase of a particular gemstone, dont be lazy when you're about to pay hundred or thousands of dollar for your jewelry. Ask your jeweler questions before buying, about the property of the gemstones, the quality, the cut, etc (but make sure you do your homework before asking). If they can't answer even your basic inquiries, then...maybe you should question the stuff they are selling. If they answer wrongly (and again, the only way to know this is if you've done your homework), then...again be cautious..
Im not saying that every jewelry seller who can't answer your question is a cheating bastard, but they (since they don't have the necessary knowledge) COULD be cheated by the people whom they bought the gemstones from without knowing it, and guess where the gemstones will end up at?? At the buyer's hands, and it could be you :)
So.....google up...hahahaha...

The simplest way would be asking for international certification...you pay abit more but you will be sure you get what you're paying for ;)

I hope you enjoy this post!!
Latersss all!! :)))

Shoping in Bangkok: Where there is crowd, there is "Talat" & Giveaway

Hi gorgeous ladies!! How is everyone? I hope all is well and having a nice weekend :)
My internet has been horrible (nothing new hey) so apologize if I haven't been commenting around as much T.T

Today I'm going to blog about another kind of "market" in Bangkok. One of the things that I love about Bangkok is its markets (called "Talat" in thai language) that you can find day and night. Seriously Thailand has tons of them, I see it everywhere (esp in Bangkok).

This post is about the day-time market. There is one right outside my building ^^" yes, the market doesn't have to have an appointed place, you can find it on the street side or any other unthinkable location :D hahaha...

This is the side of my building, the "Talat" stretch along the corridor, as far as the length of the building. As you can see, it's jam packed, always like this esp during lunch hour.

The sellers/vendors change everyday so you get to see different things everyday XD To me it adds to the fun :p

What do these "Talat" usually sell?? MANY MANY things!! :

Foods & Snacks (of course, thai people love to eat big time)

The parfume seller next to the snacks seller lolz

Cosmetics (Japanese & Korea cosmetics are hotcakes here, also some European brand such as Lancome, Guerlain). International brands are generally overpriced in Thailand. These sellers in "Talat" usually hand carry the stuff themselves from Japan/Korea or get someone to send the cosmetics over to them. Although they are generally still more expensive, it's possible to find a good bargain. The other day I picked up Shiseido "Perfect Whip" foam cleanser for only 250bath (less than 9AUD), in Adambeauty, it's sold for 11USD.

accessories and what not

Nail Polishes...I think they are local and some chinese brands

Clothes & shoes. Although not everything is of nice quality, some shops do sell nice clothes. I bought a really cute jumpsuit and a pretty top for 550bath (less than AUD20). Looking at the making and the fabrics, I'm very happy because I dont think I can get them both at that price even if I shop in Indonesia. Shoes generally starts from 200bath a pair, and have I ever mentioned that Thailand made shoes are of excellent quality and wear??

Last time, my friend showed me an original Kipling shoulder bag that she bought at "Talat" near her office for only 1000bath (less than 35AUD). It's original, we checked everything already, still has the tag and all. what a good buy!!

Some TIPS for "Talat":
1. Look for any office buildings or streets near offices area. Not every building or offices area will have "Talat" but it's a good place to start your hunt.
2. Start early, because the "Talat" mainly serve the office workers, they start at 8am-9am and finish early (2-3pm, after lunch).
3. The seller changes everyday, so if you see something that you like, better get them :D
4. You can bargain abit, ask nicely and smile :D
5. Not everything sold is of good quality, so you need to sort around. But nice items are definitely around and abound!
6. Foods are generally safe to eat as it's pretty clean. Avoid ice cubes if you are afraid.

So....anyone interested to go "Talat" Shopping with me? ^^v

xoxo

ps. Dear Sush is having a giveaway!! check her blog out! :)
and notesfromthetoothfairy (dont you just love her blog name, I giggle all the time at it) is also holding her giveaway. Go and join!!

pps. To dearest Iris & Sarah who have been so kind to give me awards, I'm so very sorry I haven't displayed the awards on my blog or do whatever I'm supposed to do. I will do it once I'm back in Australia and have a better connection. Thanks so very much girls!!

Update: Authentic Thai & Giveaways

So, I've been in a quiet and nice hermitage away from the internet world for about two weeks. Anyone miss me?? 0.0" hehehe...
I had my prefinal exam today and will have another one next monday, so need to do some studying tonight :) but I just want to share some updates and tidbits.

Last week my thai friends took me to a local Thai pub, I have no idea whatsoever, plus my friend asked me "Are you a high-class type of girl?I'm afraid the place is not good enough for you", I was like "Huh?I dont think so, I clean my own toilet so I don't think I'm high class" LOLz

Turned out, I LOVE the place!! Sure it's not a place to impress your date, but it's a perfect place to hang out with friends! It's located in BangPo area (please dont ask me for direction, I'm as good as clueless) and the name of the place is "Sa-Rarn-Rom" (no idea what it means as my thai is sorely limited, but it sounds cute isn't it, makes your tongue vibrate nicely hahaha). The pics don't do the justice since I snapped from my mobile phone and the place's lighting was poor, but I think the place was really special (it has that local feeling) and I'm the only non-thai there lolz...so I can say it's very authentic Thai. We had a really great time chatting the night away and drank thai's cocktail and beers (for the guys).
Here are some pics of the night, again, pardon the quality and please strain your eyes to look at them haha...

They have wooden desks covered with decorative clothes, inside and outdoor seats, live band playing local songs, and lady boys as waitresses lolz...for real! but not all, just one or two :P that girl is not a ladyboy, she's "real" LOLz, I didn't take any pic of the ladyboys.
Here is the thai cocktail, my friend told me this drink is strong in subtle way...if that makes sense 0.o" it will make you drunk without you realizing it...^^" since my alcohol tolerance is nowhere near superb, I only took 3-4 little cups of this and managed to stay sober the whole night.

The beer!! this gigantic jug fits 3litres!!! I wish my hubby was there, he'd be so happy!! XD

We stayed until past midnight then went home because some of us have to work the following day. It was a new experience for me and a nice one indeed :)))

Other than that, I run out of my body lotion, and as my dearest Blair's review of Garnier's body lotion tickled my curiousity, I went to Boots and purchased it. I love the citrus scent, the lotion is not too heavy, just right for the humid tropical weather. As for the effectiveness of the whitening formula, we might have to wait until another week or month perhaps :D




While snatching the Garnier, my attention was caught by the nearby shelves that stocked Soap & Glory products. I bought their "Blueberry Thrill" body butter because the smell is just so yummy :D it's too heavy to be used in hot countries, so I'm saving it for Australia ^^ (and I'm thinking to buy the peach one too since I believe this brand is not available in Australia).



Giveaways by the lovely Dana. and the generous prize!!



And my super delish lunch today, Pad Si Eew (not that kind of "Eeeww" ok?hahaha)





Allright, that's the update so far...Time to go back to the books!! and I hope everyone have a lovely and safe weekend! God bless!! xoxo