Gold Jewelry

Generally, Florence is known for its gold jewelry. Ponte Vecchio has many jewelry shops.

If you aren't a jewelry person, do some research in advance regarding 14k and 18k and price per gram in jewelry . Ask the Sellers to weigh the items you're interested in. It's easier if you see similar items in different shops to know the amount of gold in the piece, for comparison . They may say, "but the artistry costs", to which I respond I want to know how much gold the artist had to design. I haven't read that you'll get any great deals, but if you see a piece that you love, then it means something to you. Try to frequent shops a block or two away from Rialto, away from the crowded shops.

From past posts, or lack of posts, doesn't seem to be many jewelry folks here on the Forum. Good luck!

I must say, a friend bought a bracelet from a shop on the bridge in Florence, and I admired it all last weekend!

First, get an idea of what you would pay at home for the type of jewelery you want. Necklaces? Bracelets? Earrings? Something else? At least you will be able to judge prices. Florence is your likeliest bet, and I agree to look at shops located away from the Ponte Vecchio.

I lived in the Middle East where the Arab Gold Souk merchants would have a scale and weigh a gold bracelet or necklace, then charge you so much per gram.

We could check the current price of gold per ounce and compute the per gram cost. Since the gold was not 100%, but 20 or 22 carat, take off another percentage, then you would know exactly what the merchant was making for the sale. It was surprising low.

However, people in the Middle East were knowledgeable as to the gold price and we got a great bargain.

Buying gold in Europe or the USA, you get no concept of what you are paying since a scale is never used. Sometimes the markup is double or triple the actual gold value.

I have been to Florence twice and wasn't impressed by the prices they charged.
You could take a small scale and ask if you could weigh the gold, but doubt if the merchant would assist.
My advice is forget it.

The advice of knowing the current price of gold and comparing the price with the actual quantity of gold in the jewel is a sound one. Any serious dealer will declare the weight of the piece or actually weigh it.

Personally, in spite of living in Florence, I buy all gold jewels during my annual travels in Austria (one for holidays and often one for business); I find their Dorotheum chain of jewellery and pawn shops very serious.

I would forget buying anything with diamonds. Artificial diamonds (much cheaper) are almost impossible to tell from natural ones (you need spectroscopy).

I have really enjoyed the 18 kt earrings and the bracelet that I bought in Florence. The prices were reasonable.

Perhaps do a practice run locally, if you have a jewelry district, to get the pieces in your hand, feel them, weigh them, ask for prices, adjust to sticker shock! Good luck!

I have purchase several gold pieces on the ponte vecchio and I cherish them. Did I overpay for them? Absolutely. I do love the memories each time I look at those pieces. That is valuable to me.

If you’re looking for a good deal on Italian gold jewelry I highly recommend Costco.com or your local Costco stores. Best prices I’ve seen on “Italian” gold. I also own several of these pieces as well. They are beautiful, but obviously don’t hold the memories.

Whatever and wherever you buy, be sure you are charged in euros rather than dollars. If you let the charge go through in dollars (some unscrupulous merchants won't ask your preference), you will pay more than you should because of the dreadful exchange rate built into the conversion.

What April said. When we were in Florence, my wife wanted to buy some basic gold chains as souvenirs for the kids. We didn't but found some at a much better price when we got home, at Sears - imported from Italy.

I say that I like jewelry but I'm not expert and rarely I purchase something.
My think is: how strict is the relation between gold quantity and final price? Is not more the cost of time and skills?
If I check the cost of a gold coin it's often twice the cost of the gold. And a coin is industrial made and in thousand of pieces. I should expect the same ratio if I purchase a gold necklace industrial made (I mean in thousand of pieces).
But if I purchase a hand made one (produced probably in some tens of pieces), the price shouldn't be much higher?
So, I believe that the point is be able to find a place where you can find something almost unique, than not only something made of gold.

Told that, in Italy there is another city famous for gold production: Vicenza. Being much less touristy than Florence is possible that prices are less affected than to rise caused by the presence of foreign tourists.

If comparison shopping, remember that most US gold jewelry is 14k while Italian pieces are 18k. Then there's the artistry: handmade, mass produced, something in between.

My Dad bought me a beautiful cameo at a small jewelry shop in Rome. It's set in 18Karat gold and it's beautiful! He bought it in a small jewelry store on a backstreet in Rome. Sorry I don't know where or how much, this was in 2000 and Dad's gone. I treasure the pendant and the memory of how pleased Dad was when he gave it to me!

I hope you have a great time on your trip!

I have a cameo pendant that my Dad bought for me in Rome when we were in Italy with him. It is set in 18K gold and is precious to me! I can't remember the name of the shop, It was a small jewelry store on a backstreet. I'll never forget the smile on his face when he told my sister and I to pick one out! That was in 2000, Dad's gone now so it really is a treasured memory.

Have fun on your trip!
Your RS guide or the RS local guide might be able to give you some help.

I agree with Mimi about asking your RS guide or the local guide you have in Florence. You should have a walking tour the afternoon you arrive from Venice and will have local guides for that (they may divide your group into 2 sections with 2 different guides). If your RS guide doesn't have a suggestion the local guides surely will know where you should stay away from! On my BOI we had the same guides the next morning for the Uffizi so there is a chance they may want to check on it and let you know the next day. I'm sure it's not an uncommon question.

We bought my wedding ring on the Ponte Vecchio 39 years. 18 carat pave setting. Intricate design and well worth the price after all these years. We had also gotten married in Rome on the same trip so even more meaning everytime I look at it. We were back several years ago and I almost bought some stunning earrings but I passed. Now, I could kick myself. As others have said do your homework.

Have a great trip. Oct. is a great time to be there.

I have benefitted from buying jewelry at well-known jewelry stores at various international airports by saving on the VAT and getting a good exchange rate. Don't forget to ask the jeweler if the VAT can be deducted from your purchase, or if you can get a claim form for a refund of VAT when you depart the country. When you go to an independent jeweler, don't be afraid to bargain from the tag price, especially if you plan on paying in cash.