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FROM finding a
reliable dealer, to choosing a cut, to negotiating a price,
buying a gem can be a daunting task. It helps to know where
to go and what to expect when you get there. The following
places are the best Yangon has to offer:
BOGYOKE AUNG SAN
MARKET, PABEDAN
A favourite of foreigners, Bogyoke Aung San is full of
dealers that prioritise small gifts and crafts like jade
figurines and gemstone images. Fine jewelry is also
available. After 3 pm, the market's D block is packed with
brokers, including some from upper Myanmar. On display you
will find jade, rubies, sapphires, diamonds and emeralds, ,
and many shops also offer considerably cheaper products like
tourmalines, spinels, zircons, moonstones and scapolites.
Summit and Color Stones are two well known shops where
vendors are particularly knowledgeable and capable. Before
purchasing gems, buyers can visit testing centres in the
market, which have specialised laboratory equipment for
checking gem quality.
MYANMAR GEMS MUSEUM,
MAYANGONE
The 'mart' at the Myanma Gems Museum is the easiest
place to find high-quality raw and finished gem products.
Eighty-two counters on three floors offer rubies, sapphires,
peridot, pearls, jade and more. The mart is open from 9 am
to 5 pm Tuesday through Sunday.
FMI CENTRE, PABEDAN
The FMI shopping centre has offerings similar to Bogyoke
Aung San, but is far smaller and more focusd on fine,
fmished jewelry.
MAHABANDOOLA RoAD,
LATHA
Shops on Mahabandoola primarily specialise in gold
products, many of which are adorned with fine gems. The
section between 29th and 30tt streets is best for synthetic
stones.
SHWE BON THAR STREET,
PABEDAN
Gem shopping is best in this area before 2 pm, when many
dealers pack up and move to Bogyoke Aung San Market. GGA, a
major gem dealership near 30d1 street, is known for its
knowledgeable vendors.
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