Just like Thailand has a long and storied history in the gemstone industry, its tradition for silver jewelry runs just as deep. The nation is one of the world’s top five exporters of silver jewelry, and despite the domestic industry’s size, much of this is made by a vast network of artisans working by hand, which gives the jewelry an added element of craftsmanship and appeal. 

The industry here breaks down into four key segments: artisan-crafted jewelry, which often include reflections of other cultural elements like weaving or terra cotta work; classic jewelry, which blends the gap between quality and quantity through modern production methods; contemporary designer jewelry, which is used heavily in the fashion and high-end markets; and luxury jewelry, which is the pinnacle of quality the nation produces. 

Nationwide, there are five key hubs of Thailand’s silver jewelry market: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, and Surin. 

Bangkok is by far the largest and most visited, with four key areas where most of the action happens. Charoenkrung and the surrounding area is the city’s main hub for the gemstone industry and where much of the best silver jewelry is found. Additionally, tourists often find many great silver pieces while going on hunts in Chatuchak market, the area surrounding Khaosan Road, or leading department stores. Finally, the city is regularly host to huge international events, like the Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair jointly organized by the Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, and the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (Public Organization) twice a year at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC).

Outside of the bustling capital, Chaing Mai’s Wua Lai Road plays home to half-century old shops and a 200-year-old legacy of silversmithing. Nearby in the mountains of Nan, silversmithing has been a proud tradition and trade since the 1970s. Head northeast to Surin and you’ll find the famous silver rings, necklaces and bracelets of the Khwao Sinarin community, which inherited their skills from their khmer ancestors. All the way down south in Nakhon Si Thammarat, local artisans proudly carry on the tradition of Thom Nakhom, a unique form of hand-carved silver art and jewelry that commands top dollar from international buyers. 

If you are interested in learning more about Thailand’s silver jewelry market and some of the best places to get your hands on these world-class wares, check out the list of vendors of The Wonders of Thai Jewels.

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Jewelry photos are from the following brands: Hong Factory, Grace of Art, Marvel Jewelry, Piyapoom Jewelry, Beauty Gems.