| Buying a beautiful, wearable trinket on your trip is | | | | You don't want to get caught up in the hunt.... end |
| tempting, but buying jewelry abroad can be a | | | | up disappointed for having spent too much money |
| tricky thing. | | | | or for having purchased something that you don't |
| I freely admit that I don't know anything about | | | | really want, let alone need. |
| gems.... whether they are precious stones or | | | | Once you've got your emotions under control, |
| semi-precious, so when I contemplate buying | | | | you want to make sure you're getting the real |
| jewelry abroad, I go for the fun, inexpensive | | | | thing. There are lots of synthetic gems out there, |
| pieces... that way I won't make a purchase that I | | | | and there are natural stones that are sometimes |
| will regret later. | | | | substituted for more precious stones. Cubic |
| I may regret not knowing more and getting a | | | | zirconia and manufactured emeralds can be hard |
| great deal on a fabulous stone, but that's | | | | even for experts to tell from the real thing. Other |
| something I'll have to live with. | | | | red stones like garnets may be substituted for |
| Being a tourist can put you into a special state of | | | | rubies. |
| mind. You're happy and relaxed... enjoying your | | | | Sometimes the names will give you a clue that |
| escape from the daily grind. You're spending | | | | stones of lesser value are being offered with |
| "foreign money". Since it's not what you're used | | | | fancy names in hopes of fooling you into thinking |
| to it may almost seem like "play money". | | | | they are more valuable. Mexican jade is probably |
| You're in the mood to indulge yourself, and | | | | dyed onyx. Smoky Topaz is probably just smoky |
| jewelry can be quite a temptation.... but you need | | | | quartz. And if the blue color of lapis comes off |
| to think this through... that's real money your | | | | with water, it's just a dyed stone no matter what |
| spending, and you want to get true value if you | | | | it's called. If you get home and find out it's a fake, |
| decide to buy. | | | | you'll have a hard time returning it. |
| Shopkeepers the world over are pros at | | | | Remember that if you buy an expensive piece, |
| convincing you that you can't live without that ring | | | | there will be customs duty to pay on it when you |
| or necklace... and at convincing you that their | | | | return home. Check out customs charges in your |
| country is the best place to buy it. Buy tanzanite | | | | country before you leave home to help you |
| in Tanzania, buy emeralds in Brazil, buy sapphires | | | | decide if that piece of jewelry will cost you more |
| and rubies in Sri Lanka or India! | | | | than you think. |
| Cab drivers and tour operators all seem to have | | | | If you are interested in buying jewelry abroad, do |
| a cousin that has a jewelry store where you will | | | | your research at home. Learn about the stones |
| get the buy of a lifetime. | | | | and what to look for. Search the internet for |
| Beware of your emotions and those shop | | | | reputable dealers... they're out there. You won't |
| keepers and those taxi drivers. The worst way | | | | get the bargain the others are touting, but you will |
| to to purchase jewelry is to let the tour operator | | | | pay fairly for the real thing. |
| take you to a shop and to let yourself be | | | | Buying jewelry abroad can give you a fantastic |
| convinced that you really should get a tanzanite | | | | souvenir, just be aware of the pitfalls... then enjoy |
| ring in Tanzania. | | | | that tanzanite ring! |