chart comparing silver purities of Asian nations?

Discussion in 'Jewellery & Gems' started by hermespan, Apr 29, 2013.

  1. hermespan

    hermespan New Member

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    Hi, I am in Bangkok where 925 silver is available at a reasonable premium over spot. However, it is machine-made, too shiny for my liking, and I don't like the styles, I just came from Cambodia where the 925 (sterling silver) I bought us handmade and it is easier to find pieces to my taste. I overpaid however- USD1.65 per gram when spot was about USD0.91. Naturally, there is markup and manufacturing costs, plus 'stupid tourist' price, but $195 fir a 120 gm 925 necklace in Phnom Penh and on 12/4/13 (Twelve of April) 57.8 gm bracelet for $95, and in Poipet near Thai borde 11/4/13 a second-hand simpler piece of undetermined gm weight $115. This last piece was probably sold by and unlucky gambler at either of the two licenced casinos in town (Thais come across the border). Must get it eeighed in gm instead of 'chi', a Vietnamese weight.

    It can be compkicated and deceptive until you write up yourself a chart, learn the formulas or have a smartphone connected to a universal weight converter.

    The biggest challenge is finding pawn shops with any silver in stock. Firstly pawn shops in Bangkok get visited by dealers who resell, and second silver is much less popular than gold. And I feel more confident buying from a reputable retailer. In Hanoi, I was salivating over a Huge chain but given the weight versus orice it must have bern plated lead. I have bought gold in Vietnam but am out of my league with silver.

    But to my question, apart from the aesthetic consideratiin, which Asian nation has the best value silver jewellery?
    India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos, etc? And which countries have a thriving resale trade? Of course I mean reliable purity vs. price. India has a bad reputation for cheating.
     
  2. VANGBAC

    VANGBAC Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Hi Hermspan, I have always done very well with silver in Vietnam buying mainly as I had a contact in my friends family. He is top guy with silver slips over to Laos occasionally. I have picked up some nice chunky chains at 1.00 us a gram with virtually no mark up.I have bought bars there made for me from a recommended silver smith
    and a kind member on SS got it tested here. All good. I have a beautiful 600 gm bar from Vn, given to me as a repayment of a loan and cannot seem to let it go. I love the silver shops over there and drool a bit as I travel around and eventually cannot resist a purchase or two. But silver I have found is starting to be recognised a bit more now as well as Au.which has always had a cultural place.
     
  3. hermespan

    hermespan New Member

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    Nice to hear of your succeses and pleasures.

    I don't have to be back in Cambodia for business until three weeks from now. So, after some work tasks in Ubon Ratchatani in Thailand, I will take a bus to the border, explore Pakse area in Laos and make my way leisurely down to 4,000 islands in the river.

    Any suggestions and places to buy silver ingots or jewellery on my route? Or once back in Ha Noi, HCMC or the Delta where I will be visiting an old friend?

    Is there anything I can do for you? I expect to be in Nam Dinh for an extended period in the new year.

    There is one item I am keen on but have not yet found, it is Vietnamese. I will post that enquiry in the gold forum.

    Do you recall what was spot when you bought for USD1 per gram? I paid over double in Phnom Penh and vendors in the more touristy markets wanted $2 not $1.65 (when spot was about 65!) Sounds like you got some great deals.
     
  4. round50

    round50 Member

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    i was too chicken to buy jewellery in vietnam. didn't have the trust as i was getting ripped off big time when going to markets for clothes. however my girlfriend at the time bought bangles and earings without too much fuss. she told me for the most part you just pay for the actual gold. with next to no markup.
     
  5. VANGBAC

    VANGBAC Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    If I remember right it was about 1.12gm aud. I am mainly around Central Vietnam when there. And Dong Ha, Quang Tri.
     

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