Ponte Vechio / Florence -- gold jewelry

I don't have any one piece that cost that much, but I've bought jewelry from 3-4 places on Ponte Vecchio, and all of it has been wonderful. I still have a couple boxes, they're from Callai (#17) and Gherardi & Ghilardi (#8). I don't know these place's reputation or anything but I like what I've purchased and it's not cheap quality at all. Personally I dont recall seeing anything cheap-looking on the Ponte Vecchio but it's been a year and a half since the last time i was there. I would recommend walking up and down a few times, maybe even over a couple different days, and just window-shop. Most of the stores' inventories are right in their windows. Then you can pick some things you want to see more closely and they'll have no problem showing you anything you want to see so you can inspect the quality. I've bought some less expensive earrings that are hollow, but still well-made and out of Italian 18k gold. I'm allergic to "fake" gold so I would know if the stuff had junk in it. Also right near Santa Croce (right in the square to the right of the church if you're looking at the church) there is a huge jewelry shop and I bought a nice "special occasion" pair of earrings there that I love. Have fun and remember that those stores have been there for a long long time and if what they sold was crap there are 30 other stores on the same street that will put them out of business!

I have not personally bought anything on Ponte Vecchio but have browsed. It all looks nice, and good. I do want to point something out that i have heard though: (take this with a grain of salt, because I have not personally evaluated the prices, but it is what I've heard) I have heard that Ponte Vecchio is similar to Rodeo Drive in LA. You are paying a higher price just because it is from Ponte Vecchio. You will get more from your money somewhere else. I would love to hear personal experiences though. Researching, some people have found that they have gotten good deals, paying less than they would in the US. Some recommend the store S. Vaggi. Here are more reviews on TripAdvisor and many say that it is overpriced. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187895-d195009-Reviews-Ponte_Vecchio-Florence_Tuscany.html

Much appreciated input. I wonder how one would go about asking someone from Florence the names of the reputable but not "overpriced for tourists" jewelry stores? I've seen gold jewelry from Florence on other women and it just has a certain style and almost a certain gold tone. Now that I am going, I'm curious. And after a very rough two years of medical troubles I'm on top of the world again and want to reward myself for my hard work. Thanks.

I'm not into gold but I did some window shopping on the Ponte Vecchio when in Florence last week, and everything I looked at was 18k and the prices were really high. I saw more than a couple of necklaces which were 1000 euros, and that's about $1500.

Marie - This isn't about gold jewelry in Florence, but about your "pearl" experience in Hawaii. In the future, a quick way to tell whether pearls are genuine or not is to rub the pearl lightly between your teeth. Genuine pearls feel gritty and fake ones are smooth. I've gotten strange looks, but I'd rather not be cheated by fake sellers! Try this on your pearls and you'll see what I mean. By the way, went to a wedding in Healdsburg last year and can't wait to go back. What a lovely place...

No, actually, it's about gold in Florence and being a confident but aware traveler. There are hundreds of postings here and elsewhere about poor quality or becoming aware too late of overpricing. I'm simply polling for input on trustworthy sources. So glad you enjoyed Healdsburg. I'm a life-long resident and daughter of a local grape growing family and wine makers. We are very proud of our Michelin rated restaurants, wonderful town and surrounding vineyards.

Sometimes you just need a little "souvenir" piece of jewelry as a reminder of your trip and the Ponte Vechio. We bought a pair of cameo earrings for about $100. Sometimes it not always about the "deal".

Marie, I think Char was trying to say that her post was about pearls. Not that your focus should be about the pearls, but simply that she was giving advice on how to tell pearl quality in the future. As I read it, it was not meant to put you down at all.

I have purchased beautiful gold on the Ponte Vecchio on several occasions and love what I bought. Viaggi's, (first shop on the right coming from the Duomo side), was recommended to me and that's where I shopped the first time, buying a necklace and bracelet by Fope. I don't remember the names of the other shops, but I found them to be accommodating, adjusting the size on bracelets if necessary and, in one case, replacing a bracelet that I noticed had an incomplete link after I got back to our apartment. The craftsmanship is quite good and upon reappraisal recently, all of my pieces have appreciated significantly.
Enjoy yourself!

You might want to PM Roberto from Fremont on this question. He's from Florence and I think I've seen him respond this question before. He knows where the quality places are located.

A local licensed guide in Florence told our group that all the shops on the Ponte Vecchio have a common owner so there is no real competition among them and the prices are the highest in Florence. Take Larry's advice and ask Roberto. European jewelry is made from 18k gold and is consequently significantly more expensive that the 14k gold that is normally sold in the U.S. Since 24k is "pure" (99.9%), 14k is about 58% and 18k is about 75%. In your shoes, I would first take a day trip to San Francisco to the wholesale Jewelry & Gift Center at 8th and Brannan. Call any store in the center the day before and ask them to put you on the visitors' list. There are dozens of shops that sell gold (and dozens that sell pearls and jade too). The prices are generally cheaper than anywhere else, especially if you bargain and you can bargain in all the shops. I can't tell you how much my friends and I have bought there. Never any feeling cheated by poor quality or overpriced merchandise. Most of the gold is 14k but there's some 18k as well. You will have a very good idea of prices before you travel. Don't be surprised if you are tempted to buy something there - but do visit all the shops first, you'll often find a better price or a piece you like better. And sometimes you get a better price with cash than with plastic.

Thanks to all on the recent responses. That trip was 2 years ago! I ended up buying a most beautiful necklace in one of the jewelry shops a short walking distance away. Ironically, the saleswoman was originally from the US and had been in Italy with a work permit for many years so talking and negotiating was easy. Yes, I can always go to San Francisco for a bargain, but I wanted Florence gold from someplace I could trust. I bought one featuring the "Florentine knot." It is many medium heavy loops together that are pounded flat so it hangs nicely around the neck. Very well made, a carefully chosen once in a lifetime piece about $1,500. When it was time to get the VAT refund at the airport in Paris, all I could do was wave my refund money goodbye as we literally ran to catch a flight due to too close of a connection made by my travel agent. I felt guilty about that when I got home until I was in SF at the Macy's department store and saw the exact same necklacetwice as much as the full price I paid! I love the necklace, and love the memory of the buying experience. I would highly recommend skipping Ponte Vechio, no matter what your price range is and picking a real store. We are off to Milan and Venice in two weeks and can't wait to return to our "home away from home."

I also purchased at the store near Santa Croce. I thought the prices were better. It is so hard to choose. I think all of the stores on the Ponte Vecchio are reliable. However I believe the prices to be inflated for the tourists. Shop around. Have fun. Lorie

Hi Marie, Every once in awhile someone resurrects an old thread, and I usually don't notice how old it is. I am glad you chose to respond and share your great story.

It's been a while since I've been in Italy - Ill be there in the fall - but in Santa Croce, in a nave at the front right, is a school for gold crafstman. I bought nice pieces there. Ask for details about it, if it's still in Santa Croce, etc.

Try the nave at the right front of Santa Croce, it used to be a school for craftsman in gold jewelry. One paid for the weight of the gold only, not for the artisan work. It is beautiful and my pieces were good quality. It's been years since I was in Florence, but ask and see if that's still adjoining the church.

PLEASE LET THIS POST FADE AWAY. The OP, Marie asked her question 2 years ago. Someone resurrected it (perhaps to tout a specific shop).

Actually I think the question posed by Marie is relevant regardless of how much time has passed. For those who will be traveling to Florence for the first time, it can give them ideas of where to shop rather than the usual tourist traps.

I think this information is timeless! I was a student in Florence in the 70's, have been back dozens of times since, and I've gotten at least one souvenir jewelry prize from the Ponte Vecchio on every single visit. I still treasure the very first one...a heavy gold braided 18kt bracelet that would be thousands now, which my Mom purchased for me for $80 at the time. Even though you may feel you are paying a high price at the time, the value will only escalate through the years, and I completely agree with the fact that these items are a sweet memory of your trip. I smile every time I glance down at my treasures when I wear them. You won't be sorry.

Marie went to Italy three years ago . . . .and said enuf was enuf several months ago.

I am glad this got bumped up! Why would we need to let a useful old thread "Die"?
It is imposible to find anything using the lousy search function here.

I just got some good advice about purchasing gold jewelry in Florence. That was something on my list to research before we are in Florence on our first trip later this year.
Very helpful.

Unless I am not aware of any forum rule here- are we not allowed to bump up old threads?
What if we happen to find what we are looking for using search- and want to add to that old thread with a new question/request for more info on the thread topic?

"What if we happen to find what we are looking for using search- and want to add to that old thread with a new question/request for more info on the thread topic?"

Then start a new topic please.

Agree, start a new topic. These old threads show up so often that many posters check the original post date and go no further, so you're not getting as much good advice as you might with a new thread.