Hand-Mounted Silver Jewelry in Thailand: Is It Worth It?

Question
Hello,
I currently live in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where I have Larimar mounted in silver.
The mounting is done by hand on non calibrated simple shapes such as tear and ovals.
I am going to Thailand in a few months and hope to get cabs mounted there for a better price.  I have been told not to go there but to Bali or Mexico since Thailand has a huge jewelry industry but they specialize in large production and casting.  
Since I have a freind living there, so I much prefer to go  to Thailand. Can you give me any contacts of small operations mounting silver by hand or direct me where to look.... your help is apreciated.
Regards Rolfe  

Answer
Dear Rolfe Foxwell,

I thank you for this question. In my area of work, I have not developed contacts in Thailand, Bali or Mexico. That work simply has not been needed.  What I can do is suggest a contact where you might get better information.  The Ganoksin Project is a web sharing community devoted essentially to the jewelry professional, hobbyist and other indterested parties. The man who created this net community is a resident of Thailand, involved in the jewelry industry.

This is the site address:

http://www.ganoksin.com/

At the top of the opening page with other links is a "contact us" link. I suggest you email there. You might ask if Hunaman can help you with your question or if the question should be posed to the Ganoksin board.  This is the best contact I can think of for Thailand and would be an excellent place to start, at the top of the list.

I do agree that for small lots of work, you will likely find better results from Mexico. Bali is fairly specialized, as best I know and is a possibility but Mexico would be the first choice I would recommend from my limited knowledge of this subject.

Please try the contact information I provided and let me know if you get the help you need. Again, thanks for the question. Sorry I do not have a direct answer. This simply is not in my field of experience. PS. With a friend in Thailand, the trip might be worth it in itself. Certainly, I would expect some contacts to be made.  Where ever you travel, best wishes.

God Bless and Best Wishes in your projects.

Thomas.            15 Oct 03      7:47pm