Shopping for Malaysian gems and jewellery
Figure eight twist with diamond on platinum
Malaysia is not known for its gems and jewellery as Thailand is to the north, but there are still some marvellous items available at discounted prices and less chance of being ripped off with scams. Malaysia is known for pearls, many from East Malaysia on the island of Borneo, and these can make attractive gifts. Cultured pearls are extremely good value in KL with stalls at Central Market near Chinatown catering specifically for the tourists crowds.
Those looking for some designer jewellery in KL can find all the top names, such as Tiffany’s and Swartz Crystal in the large city centre shopping malls of KLCC and Pavillion. These are generally reasonably-priced compared with shopping in the West and periodic discount sales offer superb value if in town at the right time. There are also the less-salubrious Chinese and Indian jewellers who specialise in gold items by weight. These can present the best value, but you need to have your bartering skills honed and know a little about what you are buying.
Buying designer jewellery in Malaysia
Many Malaysian jewellers will tell customers that all their diamonds are GIA-certified, but even these have various different grades and can be of vastly different values depending on quality.
Some of the best shops in KL for diamonds and jewellery are Tiffany’s or Love Diamond by Carat Club. Both have a branch in the Pavillion Mall. Tiffany’s is not renown for offering discounts, however, and so shoppers should only consider here if money is no object.
Carat Club has branches in Pavillion but also a larger stores in KLCC, Bangsar and Mid Valley Megamall with a better selection and custom designs as well. Goldheart, Poh Kong, De Gem or Diamonds & Platinum are popular Malaysian jewellers while The Starhill Gallery also has a good range of quality establishments. Bargaining is not always possible at high end shops such as Bvlgari, although discounts can sometimes be sought if the salesman is feeling generous. And one of the benefits is that a workmanship guarantee of one year normally applies for all purchases.
Rear entrance of Suria KLCC from KLCC Park.
Diamonds can be found set in expensive platinum or 18kt gold. Many places have mark-ups from 10 to 50 per cent, so it pays to spend a little time working out whether the sales staff can offer a little latitude with the price. Many Malaysians say that if the sales staff let them walk away then that is probably cost price. And then if you still want the piece after sleeping on it you can go back and see it again for a second time.
Buying discount jewellery in Malaysia
Chinese shops and local jewellers are found around most city centres and have the best prices. The owners can often be seen sitting around with a calculator and these places tend to specialise in gold pieces. There is normally quite a good selection although workmanship can be a little rough so you need to choose your items carefully. There are many ready-made items to choose from or shoppers can select diamonds and gemstones individually and get pieces made up to their specifications.
The price of gold is normally taken from market prices per gram, and gemstones or diamonds according to the cut, colouration, clarity and number of carats (the four Cs). Bargaining is expected here with gold, platinum or titanium settings available. Every certified authentic diamond must be laser imprinted with a serial number inside, with the same code repeated in the certificates. Never buy a diamond without a serial number, as your bargain purchase is undoubtedly fake and so represents the worst false economy possible.
There are countless different diamond cuts available these days with fancy multi-facetted cuts which tend to be more expensive than a normal 58-facet diamond cut. Many jewellers have their own house cuts which they claim will sparkle better then the standard versions. But Chinese jewellers are great places to find simple wedding bands which do not require any gems or ornate engraving. As with all expensive items, make absolutely sure you are completely satisfied with all aspects of your prospective purchase before proceeding.
Indian jewellers are easy to find around KL’s Little India, in central Penang and all around the country. These are not normally jewellers in the legitimate sense, but stock big chunky gold chains and necklaces which Indian families use for wedding presents and dowries. It is not advisable to buy diamonds or gemstones from these Malaysian jewellers, which are normally found sitting behind a caged booth on the high street, unless you are an expert and can independently verify what you are shown.
Buying jewellery at the airport can help save a great deal of tax charges, although there are plenty of Malaysian jewellers that will issue tax receipts for you which you can refund upon leaving the country.
