Buying jewelry metals, bracelets

Is it worth buying anywhere? If it appeals, if you have the skill to verify authenticity, and a price can be found that makes you happy, why not?

Beware of fakes, mostly from China.

Try the Ponte Vecchio in Florence.

Gordon, the shops on Ponte Vecchio are known to be overpriced. Like anywhere else, I would comparison shop before plunking down a pile of euros.

...and please, please, please don't wear the new metal when you go though security at the airport.

If you find a piece of jewelry you can't live without, and are willing pay the price, then buy it. Don't shop at Ponte Vecchio...it's a tourist trap!

I bought a silver necklace a few years ago on the Amalfi coast, not expensive, maybe 20E, but I enjoy wearing it as a reminder of my trip. I certainly wouldn't buy gold or diamonds in Italy. Better to buy from a dealer you know and trust in the US.

Heck, even Costco has "Italian gold" available.

I buy gold jewelry in Italy fairly often. If you know what to look for you can find things in a wide price range, but there are no real bargains on jewelry that I know of.

It just depends on what you mean by "buying jewelry." My wife generally buys at least one item per trip. She often does a little research to see what is locally available. And then her standard, "Would I pay that price in the US for that piece." There are no bargains in part because of the value added tax but each piece reminds us of where we have been and that is worth something.