After lunch at Tita Noreens, we planned a trip to the Gemstone Market with Ambeth Ocampo together with Maam T. Tita Noreen got us really intrigued by telling us there is this traditional market (imagine a wet market) that had gems laid out instead of fish! WHOA. This we had to see!
Unfortunately for us the traditional pasar or market had been renovated to a more modern and air-conditioned mall. The once 1 level open-air market was now a modern mall with several levels. It would have been nice to see the authentic pasar and I’m sure prices were cheaper before the renovation too.
The giant gold rings (R) in front were really apt because most of the rings we saw inside were massive (for some reason the word “Saudi” comes to mind). If you plan to come here be prepared:
- Despite the big “No Smoking” signs it is quite smoky. People still smoke inside the air-conditioned mall! ARGH! (Bring a handkerchief to cover your nose – I even saw someone with a face-mask!)
- Have a list of items you are shopping for. It is really overwhelming when you go in there!!! This wa my mental list:
- Pearl choker with pearls larger than my 2 strand pearl necklace
- Long necklace that I can wear with resort luxe outfits
- Bling-bling rings
- Statement necklace or bangle/bracelet
- It’s a long ride to the East of town so bring some refreshments. We brought water, dried mangoes, chocolates, candies, etc. which we definitely ate!
All kinds of stones, cheap and expensive out on display!
Rings ready for the stones you choose!
MASSIVE rings. The weird part is that these are for MEN! (as Jay pointed out below) But for me the craziest part is that there was so much more bling men’s ring for sale than women’s jewelry! Seriously?!? =O
They also sell silver and stainless steel jewelry. Be sure to check the quality closely before you buy.
We found this really interesting shop full of odds and ends!
Like wooden pipes and horsehoes! I got my best friend (who collects pipes from all over the world) an interesting looking pipe!
Don’t forget to bargain! Start with half the price. And walk away if it seems over-priced.
I love this candid shot of Ambeth Ocampo with the paintings and knick-knacks in the background.
Another strange shop
I ended the trip with the pearl shop to complete my shopping list!
I highly recommend this place if you are a hardcore bargain hunter like me who is willing to go far and suffer inconveniences for the sake of getting a good deal. It is SO much cheaper than shopping in the malls! I swear if I can help it I am never buying accessories in the mall again!
We were getting dizzy with smoke and hungry as it was way past lunch. So we had to go find a place to eat. (Boy was it an adventure! That’s for another post!)
I didn’t get to buy any gemstones – I think I need more planning for this so I can buy a good quality stone and have a design in mind already – but I did get to scope out what was available for future reference!
I did get to buy some nice things though for quite a steal! Stay tuned for pictures of my humble shopping loot from Pasar Rawa Bening tomorrow!
Jakarta Gemstone Market
- Pasar Rawa Bening, Jatinegara, Jakarta Timur (di depan stasiun kereta api)
Niccceeee!!!!
Hi! 🙂
i never knew this place existed! is it near mangga dua?
I’ve no idea! It’s in East Jakarta – I am so unfamiliar with the area since I don’t go east =P But the address is in the bottom of the post. I’ve never heard of it in the 2 years that I’ve been here until I met Tita Noreen who is my bargain shopping guru! It’s definitely a jackpot discovery!
This looks soooooo exciting!!! You probably find many great jewelries with wonderful deals in the Philippines and if you think these are great deals, they must be really good. Thanks for introducing this place here!! If it’s the east that must be different from Mangga Dua since Mangga Dua is in the north. I loved seeing the photos. I also enjoy seeing the little stamps or marks you have in the titles like an airplane or scissors. They are so cute!
Hi Kaho, it was my pleasure! We should definitely plan a trip there together! Thanks I love the hearts you put on the calling cards you had made and also the stars on your titles. =)
Great post! Rawa bening rocks. Great deals to be had there for sure. The big bling bling rings you pointed out are actually for MEN. 😉
Thanks for the compliment Jay! =) And for reminding me to put that the most bling rings are for men. I was so shocked that more of the jewelry sold in Rawa Bening are for men! How? What? Why? and when do they wear it??!?
You’re in a different country and these rings are a part of its culture. There are residual animistic beliefs about rocks that you could make enquiries about if there’s someone who trusts you enough to explain. Also the ring designs are heavily influenced by Arab designs. Wearing certain stones (which happen to be most of the types for sale in RB is ‘mustahab’ in Islam. Add to this mix local beliefs about curative or preventative powers of certain stones. So, make more enquiries and learn there’s more at play than ‘bling bling’. Plus, a good many Indonesians collect stones or give rings as gifts at certain times.