Why a name in Thai script makes a good Bangkok gift

Thai letters are round and looping, so a name reads as a small drawing even to someone who cannot read it. Any name can be written in Thai by its sound. Yuki, for example, becomes ยูกิ.

Most of the orders we see are farewell gifts for colleagues and friends leaving Thailand, birthday presents, and souvenirs for family back home. Because the name is theirs, nobody else at the party is wearing the same thing.

How ordering works

Start with our free name in Thai tool to see how the name is spelled. Then choose the metal: 925 sterling silver, or solid 9K, 14K or 18K gold. Every piece is made to order in 7 to 10 working days, so if the gift is for someone flying home, order with that date in mind and tell us when you need it.

Five pieces people choose as gifts

The Thai name necklace (from ฿3,700) is our longest-running favourite. The Thai initial side necklace (from ฿2,600) is one small letter, easy to give to a coworker. The Thai letter name ring (from ฿4,700) needs a ring size, so it is usually bought for yourself or close family. The custom round pendant (from ฿2,600) takes a name or a date. For bridesmaids, the round natural gemstone bracelet (from ฿1,000) works well with a different birthstone for each person; our bridesmaids jewelry guide has more ideas. Prices shown are for 925 silver.

Visit the showroom

Come and see the pieces at TOANOI House, Sukhumvit 71, Monday to Saturday from 9:30 to 17:00. No appointment needed, just come by.

Questions we get often

Do you ship abroad? Yes, by FedEx or Thai Post airmail. Cost and time depend on the service and the destination.

How long does it take? 7 to 10 working days from your order. Some designs take a little longer, so ask us early if you have a fixed date.

What if I am not sure about the spelling? Check it with the free tool first. After you order, we check the spelling ourselves and send you a design of the name exactly as it will look on your piece, so you approve it before we make it.

Every piece comes with a 3-year warranty. Free shipping across Thailand on every order.

The post Personalized Gifts in Bangkok: Thai Name Jewelry appeared first on Colors By Love.

This guide is for anyone buying Christmas gifts in Bangkok or elsewhere in Thailand this year, for a partner, a parent, the kids or yourself. Every piece below is made to order in 925 sterling silver or solid gold. The prices are the starting prices shown on each product page right now. The final price depends on the metal and any stones you add, and you see it before you pay.

Christmas gifts for her

Custom Thai Name Necklace, from ฿3,700. Her name in Thai script, crafted by hand. It’s the piece we make most often, and you don’t need to read any Thai to order one. Type her name into our free name-in-Thai tool and you’ll see the spelling before you order. In solid gold this Thai name necklace starts at ฿11,500 for 9K.

Custom Signature Name Necklace, from ฿3,200. Her name in joined-up English script, the way she would sign it. A good choice if Thai script isn’t her thing.

Natural Gemstone 6×4 Cushion Necklace, from ฿2,800. One stone held in four prongs, nothing else on the chain. Pick her birth month or just her favorite color. It’s quiet enough to wear every day.

We wrote a separate guide with more ideas: Christmas gifts for her, including how to choose for a wife, a girlfriend or your mum.

Christmas gifts for him

Men’s Thai Name Ring, from ฿4,700. His name in Thai on a wider, plainer band. If he doesn’t wear necklaces, a ring is the easier sell. A stone is optional, so it can stay completely plain.

Custom Thai Number Bracelet, from ฿3,700. A date written in Thai numerals on a fine chain. Your wedding day, his birthday, the day he landed in Bangkok. People who can’t read Thai numerals just see a nice pattern, which some men prefer.

Thai Initial Ring, from ฿1,900. One Thai letter on a slim band. It works on any hand and stacks with a wedding ring.

For kids and the whole family

Family Ring with Birthstones, from ฿3,200. Up to four stones on one band, one for each person. For a mother or grandmother, it tends to be the gift that gets the longest hug. If you are not sure how many stones to choose, our guide to mother’s rings by number of stones walks through it.

One-Five Round Natural Gemstones Bracelet, from ฿3,000. Up to five small stones spaced along a fine chain. It suits a family of birth months, or a teenager who just likes the colors.

Build Your Charm Bracelet, from ฿1,700. A good first piece for an older child or a teenager. Start with a charm or two this Christmas and add one every birthday after that.

Gifts for couples

Thai Initial Side Necklace, 2 Letters, from ฿3,200. Two Thai initials on one chain, yours and theirs. Small and easy to wear, and only the two of you know what the letters mean.

Thai Initial Huggies, ฿1,300 each. Small hoops with one Thai letter, sold one at a time. Order two different letters and she wears both your initials, or keep one each.

Christmas gifts by budget

Under ฿3,000. Thai Initial Letter Stud Earrings from ฿900 each, the huggies at ฿1,300 each, the five-stone bracelet and the charm bracelet from ฿1,700, the Thai Initial Ring from ฿1,900 and the cushion necklace from ฿2,800. Good for Secret Santa at the office, if your office is generous.

฿3,000 to ฿6,000. The Family Ring and the two-letter necklace from ฿3,200, the Bangkok Ring from ฿3,400, the name necklace and the number bracelet from ฿3,700, and the Men’s Thai Name Ring from ฿4,700.

Solid gold. Most of our designs come in solid 9K, 14K or 18K gold, made to the same order. A few real prices from the product pages: Thai Initial Letter Stud Earrings from ฿2,300 each in 9K (฿5,200 in 18K), the Thai Initial Ring from ฿6,100 in 9K, ฿9,500 in 14K and ฿12,000 in 18K, and the Thai name necklace from ฿11,500 in 9K, ฿15,500 in 14K and ฿22,000 in 18K. Gold doesn’t wear off, so it’s the one to buy if this is meant to last decades.

Family visiting for the holidays?

If you have people flying in for Christmas, or you are flying home with gifts in your bag, the Bangkok Ring has the city’s full Thai name around the band, and it reads as Thailand without looking like a souvenir stall. More ideas in what to buy in Bangkok. Order early enough that it is ready before the flight.

How personalization works

First, check the spelling. For anything in Thai, put the name into the name-in-Thai tool. It’s free and shows you how the name will be written.

Then choose the metal on the product page. You can pick 925 sterling silver in a silver, yellow gold, rose gold or white gold finish, or solid 9K, 14K or 18K gold on most designs. Add a stone if the design takes one, and the price updates as you go.

After you order, we check the spelling and send you a design of the name exactly as it will look on your piece. You approve it before we make anything. That’s your chance to catch a wrong letter or move a stone. After that it’s 7 to 10 working days in the studio, then free delivery anywhere in Thailand. Every piece has a 3-year warranty.

Come to the showroom

You can also come and see the samples in person at TOANOI House, 259/80 Phibunwet Village, Sukhumvit 71, Bangkok. We are open 9:30 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Saturday. Hold the pieces, try ring sizes, and order on the spot. You can collect your finished order there too, which helps if you are cutting it close.

Questions we get before Christmas

When is the last day to order for Christmas in Thailand?

About 1 December for Christmas and about 8 December for New Year. That covers 7 to 10 working days of making plus 1 to 3 working days of delivery. After those dates, message us first and we’ll check.

Can I change the spelling after I order?

Yes, before you approve the design. That step exists so mistakes get caught on paper and not in metal. If you spot something after approval, message us straight away.

Does it come gift-wrapped?

Every piece arrives wrapped and ready to give. If you want a note included, tell us when you order.

Can you ship a Christmas gift abroad?

Yes. We ship worldwide by FedEx with tracking, and the cost is calculated at checkout. Delivery abroad takes a few extra days, so order about a week before the dates above and tell us when you need it.

I don’t know her ring size. What should I do?

Borrow a ring she already wears and use our ring size chart, or pick a necklace or bracelet that doesn’t need a size. Our birthday gift guide has a few more tricks for finding it out quietly.

Everything here is made to order by our Bangkok artisans in 925 sterling silver or solid gold, with natural gemstones and a 3-year warranty. Free shipping across Thailand on every order.

The post Christmas and New Year Gifts in Bangkok, Made to Order appeared first on Colors By Love.

This page puts all of them side by side, so you can order a ring here with confidence, or buy one at home in a size you know from Thailand.

Thai ring size to US size chart

Find your US, UK or Japanese size and read across, or start from the Thai number.

Thai shops use every whole number, so you will also see sizes like 50, 55 or 59. Those sit between two US half sizes. A Thai 55 falls between US 7 and US 7.5, and a Thai 59 between US 8.5 and US 9.

The Japanese size is easy to remember: take the Thai number and subtract 40. A Thai 52 is a Japanese 12.

How our product pages show sizes

Every ring on our site lists both systems together, so you never have to convert. A size reads US 6 (52), meaning US size 6, Thai and European size 52. Our family and birthstone rings come in these sizes:

• US 6 (52)
• US 6.5 (53)
• US 7 (54)
• US 7.5 (56)
• US 8.5 (58)

Every ring is made to order by our Bangkok artisans, so if your size is not on the list, message us before you order and we will tell you what we can do.

Find your size at home

From a ring you already own

This is the most reliable way. Take a ring that fits the finger you want, lay it on a ruler and measure straight across the inside, edge to edge. Find that number in the Diameter column above. If it falls between two rows, take the larger one.

With a strip of paper

Cut a thin strip of paper, wrap it once around the base of your finger and mark where it overlaps. Lay it flat and measure from the end to the mark in millimetres. That length is your Thai size. Keep the strip snug but not tight, and make sure it slides over your knuckle, because the ring has to.

Paper stretches and slips a little, so treat the result as a close guide. If you can, check it against a ring you own.

Compare with our chart

Our catalogs, charts and sizing page has a full ring size chart you can open and compare against your own ring.

Small things that change your size

Heat and air conditioning. Fingers are a little larger in the Bangkok heat and a little smaller in a cold room. Measure in the late afternoon at a normal temperature, and if you are between two sizes, choose the larger one.

Wide bands. A wide band sits on more of the finger and feels tighter than a thin one in the same size. For a band wider than about 6mm, go half a US size up.

Knuckles. If your knuckle is larger than the base of your finger, size for the knuckle so the ring can go on, and expect it to turn a little once it is there.

Which hand. Most people’s dominant hand is slightly larger. Measure the exact finger the ring is for.

Buying a ring as a gift

When the ring is a surprise, borrow one she already wears on the same finger and measure it with the ruler method. If that is not possible, a necklace or bracelet is the safe choice, since it needs no ring size at all. Our mother’s ring guide has more on choosing a size for someone else.

Questions people ask about ring sizes in Thailand

What is size 52 in Thailand in US size?

A Thai size 52 is a US size 6, a UK L½ and a Japanese 12.

Is a Thai ring size the same as a European size?

Yes. Both measure the inside of the ring around, in millimetres, so the numbers match.

What is the most common women’s ring size?

Many women wear between US 6 and US 7, which is Thai 52 to 54. Hands vary a lot, so measure rather than guess.

What if I order the wrong size?

Message us as soon as you notice. Because every ring is made to order, it is always easier to get the size right before we start, so ask us if you are unsure.

Free shipping across Thailand on every order.

The post Thai Ring Size to US Size: Conversion Chart and How to Measure appeared first on Colors By Love.

Every ring here is made to order in our Bangkok studio in 925 sterling silver, gold plated silver, or solid gold, and every stone is a natural gemstone you choose.

Mother’s rings by number of stones

Prices below are starting prices in 925 sterling silver with the most affordable natural stones. Precious stones and gold plating cost more, and the price updates on each product page as you choose.

One stone

One child, or one stone for the whole family. The Gemstone Chain Ring sets a single 3mm natural stone and starts at 2,600 THB in silver. It is simple enough to stack with a wedding band.

If you want names as well as a stone, the Custom Family Name Ring carries the family’s names around the band with a small birthstone, from 5,300 THB.

Two stones

Two children, or a stone for each parent. Our Two Natural Gemstones Rings come in eight pairings of larger cut stones, such as oval with square, octagon with pear, or two octagons. They start at 3,000 THB in silver.

These rings use bigger shaped stones, so the stone you pick makes a big difference to the price. Semi-precious stones such as garnet, amethyst and peridot keep it close to the starting price. A shaped ruby, emerald or sapphire costs much more, and the product page shows the exact figure before you order.

Three stones

Three stones give you the most designs to choose from.

Three small birthstones in a row

The Family Ring with 3 Stones sets three 1.8mm round stones and starts at 2,800 THB in silver. Each stone is chosen separately, from the twelve birthstone months plus extra colors. Ruby, emerald, sapphire and pink sapphire are 900 THB each on this ring, and a diamond is 1,500 THB.

Three different shapes

The Natural Stones Three Stone Ring combines a round, a square and a pear stone, from 4,200 THB. It is a bolder ring, and the mix of shapes makes it easy to tell the children’s stones apart.

Three stones with names

The Custom Family Name Ring with 2.5mm Stones adds the names to the stones, from 6,300 THB.

Three larger octagon stones

Our 3 Octagon Ring and its curved version set three 7x5mm octagon stones, from 4,200 THB. These use our natural color stones, such as sunstone, labradorite, moss agate and blue chalcedony, rather than the birthstone months. They suit a family that chooses stones by color instead of by month.

Four stones

The Family Ring with Birthstones sets four 1.8mm round stones, each chosen separately, and starts at 3,200 THB in silver. Four children, or two children and both parents, both work well here.

Five stones

For five individually chosen stones, our One-Five Round Natural Gemstones Bracelet is the piece to look at. You choose how many stones, from one to five, and then choose each stone.

The price follows the number of stones. In silver the bracelet itself is 1,000 THB with one stone, 1,300 THB with two, 1,700 THB with three, 2,000 THB with four and 2,400 THB with five. Gold plating adds 300 to 700 THB depending on the count. Each semi-precious stone is 700 THB, and ruby, emerald, sapphire or pink sapphire is 1,500 THB. Five semi-precious stones in silver come to 5,900 THB.

Five individually chosen stones in a ring is something we make as a custom order.

Six stones or more

For a big family we draw the piece for you. A ring, a bar necklace or a bracelet can all carry more stones, and we agree the design and the price with you before anything is made. Start on our custom jewelry in Bangkok page.

Choosing the stones

Most families use each child’s birth month. Our birthstone jewelry collection and gemstone guide show every stone, and October and April each have two options.

The usual order is oldest to youngest, reading left to right as she wears it. Some families add a stone for each parent or a grandchild later on, which is another reason to think about the count before ordering.

Getting her ring size right

A mother’s ring is often a surprise, which makes the size the hard part. Our family rings come in US sizes 6 to 8.5, listed with the matching international size on each product page, for example US 6 (52) or US 7 (54).

The easiest trick is to borrow a ring she already wears on the same finger and check it against the ring size chart on our catalogs, charts and sizing page, or use our Thai ring size to US size chart. Fingers are a little larger in the heat and a little smaller in air conditioning, so if you are between two sizes, choose the larger one. If her size is not on the list, message us before you order.

If the size is a complete mystery, the bracelet is the safe choice. It does not need a ring size at all, and it can carry the same birthstones.

Silver, plated or solid gold

Every ring above comes in 925 sterling silver and in silver plated with yellow, white or rose gold. Plating on our rings is 1 micron, covered by our 3-year warranty. Most of the rings can also be made in solid 9K, 14K or 18K gold, which you choose on the product page.

Questions people ask about mother’s rings

How many stones should a mother’s ring have?

One stone for each child is the usual rule. Some families add a stone for each parent or leave room to add grandchildren’s stones in a second piece later.

What order do the stones go in?

Usually oldest to youngest, reading left to right as she wears the ring. You can choose any order you like when you pick the stones.

Can I mix precious and semi-precious stones?

Yes. Each stone is chosen and priced separately, so one ruby among semi-precious stones only adds the cost of that one stone.

Can you add names to a mother’s ring?

Yes. Our Custom Family Name Rings carry names around the band together with birthstones.

How long does a mother’s ring take?

Each ring is made to order in 7 to 10 days in our Bangkok studio, and comes with a 3-year warranty.

Free shipping across Thailand on every order.

The post Mother’s Ring by Number of Stones appeared first on Colors By Love.

We make personalised pieces in Bangkok, and bridesmaid orders come in every few weeks. Almost all of them end up at the same answer: same design, different detail. Same bracelet, her own initial. Same setting, her own birthstone. It photographs as a set and it opens as a personal gift.

Here is what people actually order. Everything below is made to order in our studio, in 925 sterling silver or gold.

Initials, the safe default

This is where most brides land, and I think they are right to. An initial is personal without being sentimental enough to embarrass anyone. Nobody has to love the same stone as you.

• Thai Initial Letter Stud Earrings, priced per piece
• Thai Initial Huggies, priced per piece
• Thai Initial Ring
• Classic Thai Initial Bracelet
• Classic Thai Initial Side Necklace
• Thai Initial Side Necklace, pavé setting

One thing that catches people out. The earrings are priced by piece, not by pair. So a pair of studs is two items on the order, not one. We price them singly because a lot of customers wear one, and because losing one earring should not mean buying two.

If your bridesmaids read Thai, or the wedding is in Thailand, the Thai letter versions carry a bit more weight than a Latin initial. If they do not, we make Latin letters too. Just ask.

Birthstones, when you want them to look different

Thirty-three designs sit in this collection, and it solves the uniform problem better than anything else we make. Same setting across all five girls. Five different colours. In a group photo it reads as one idea.

• Baguette Natural Gemstone Bracelet
• One-Five Round Natural Gemstones Bracelet
• Oval Cut Natural Gemstone Stud Earrings, priced per piece
• Gemstone Chain Ring, 3mm stone
• Two Natural Gemstones Rings, in seven cut combinations
• Vertical Bezel-Set Birthstone Necklace
• Horizontal Bezel-Set Natural Gemstones Necklace

The two-stone rings come in octagon-marquise, oval-square, octagon-square, octagon-octagon, octagon-round, pear-round and octagon-pear. Pick one cut and give every bridesmaid her own colour in it.

Engraved pendants, if you have something to say

These take a date, a word, or a set of initials. Good for a maid of honour, or for a bridal party small enough that you can write something different on each one.

• Custom Heart Pendant
• Custom Round Pendant
• Custom Oval Pendant with a natural gemstone
• Custom Heart Pendant with a natural gemstone
• Nameplate Bracelet

The wedding date on the back is the most common request. Second most common is nothing on the back at all, which is also fine.

Charms, for a wedding people flew in for

If everyone travelled to Thailand for this, a piece that says so tends to get worn afterwards.

• Build Your Charm Bracelet
• Build Your Single Letter Charm Bracelet
• Thailand Map Bracelet, with a stone set on the city
• Bangkok Street Sign Bracelet

On the map bracelet you choose which city the stone sits on. Brides use the wedding location for everyone, or each girl’s home town. The second version takes longer to explain to guests but it is the better gift.

Name pieces and zodiac, for the bigger budget

These usually go to the maid of honour, or to a bridal party of two or three.

• Zodiac necklaces
• Custom Signature Name Necklace
• Japanese Name Necklace
• Custom Thai Name Necklace

The practical part

Order about three weeks out. Everything is crafted and finished by hand after you order, which takes 7 to 10 days. Add shipping on top. Three weeks is comfortable, two is fine, five days before the wedding is a phone call, not a website order.

Avoid rings unless you know the sizes. This is the one mistake we see repeatedly. Bracelets and necklaces fit everyone. Rings need a size per person, and asking five women for their ring size ruins the surprise. If you want rings anyway, ask the mothers.

Ship to one address. Shipping is free anywhere in Thailand. If your bridesmaids are spread across three countries, send everything to you and hand them over at the rehearsal. It is cheaper and nothing gets stuck in customs the week of the wedding.

Silver or gold. Every design above comes in 925 sterling silver or solid gold. Silver keeps a set of five sensible. Gold is roughly where the budget doubles.

Everything carries a three year warranty, so if a clasp goes at some point in year two, we fix it.

If you want one recommendation

Buy the same bracelet five times with five different birthstones. The One-Five Round Natural Gemstones Bracelet is the one I would pick. No sizing to get wrong, it looks like a set from across a room, and each girl gets her own colour.

If you would rather have initials, the Classic Thai Initial Bracelet does the same job.

Come and see them in person if you are in Bangkok. We are on Sukhumvit 71, open 9:30 to 17:00, and it is much easier to choose stones with the tray in front of you. Or message us on WhatsApp with your dates and how many you need, and we will tell you straight away whether it fits.

The post Bridesmaids Jewelry That Doesn’t Look Like a Uniform appeared first on Colors By Love.

Start with her birth month

The birthday itself gives you the answer. Every month has a stone, and a birthstone necklace or ring turns a date into something she can wear. If you are stuck, this is the shortcut:

• January Garnet, a deep wine red
• February Amethyst, purple and easy to wear
• March Aquamarine, pale sea blue
• April White topaz, or a diamond if you want the real thing
• May Emerald, the strongest green we set
• June Moonstone, soft and slightly milky
• July Ruby
• August Peridot, a yellow green that suits gold
• September Sapphire
• October Opal, or tourmaline if she prefers pink
• November Citrine, warm amber
• December Blue topaz

You are not stuck with her own month either. Plenty of people order the stone of a child, a partner, or the month they met. The One-Five Round Natural Gemstones Bracelet takes up to five stones, so one bracelet can hold a whole family.

Her name, or one letter of it

A name necklace is the gift she did not know to ask for. English or Thai script, her name or a child’s, crafted and filed by hand rather than stamped out. If a full name feels like too much, one letter says plenty. An initial necklace or a Thai initial ring is small enough for every day and layers with whatever she already owns.

Thai script is worth considering even if she is not Thai. If she lives here, or fell for the place on a trip, her name in Thai reads as jewelry first and a souvenir second. Nobody else will have one.

How to get her ring size without ruining the surprise

Rings are the gift people avoid because sizing feels like a trap. Two ways round it. Borrow a ring she already wears on the right finger and measure the inside diameter in millimetres, or trace the inside circle on paper. Failing that, buy a necklace or a bracelet instead, which need no size at all. We size rings US 6 to 8.5 as standard and make others to measure, so a wrong guess is fixable.

For a milestone birthday

A thirtieth, a fortieth, a fiftieth deserves a piece that holds the whole story rather than one initial. A family ring with a stone for each person does that, and it is the one that gets the longest hug. Solid gold in 9K, 14K or 18K makes it an heirloom rather than a season’s jewelry. For something quieter, a pair of teardrop birthstone earrings in her colour works on anyone.

Order in time

Everything is made after you order, which takes 7 to 10 working days in our Bangkok studio. Add shipping on top. If the birthday is inside two weeks, message us before you order and we will tell you honestly whether it will land in time.

Every piece is 925 sterling silver, or solid gold if you want it to outlast the plating. Plated finishes hold their colour for roughly four to six years with normal wear. Rhodium is the one we point people to when they want the least upkeep, because it stops the silver tarnishing as well. Free shipping across Thailand, gift-boxed, and covered by a 3-year warranty.

Still deciding? The rest of our gift guides cover Christmas, Mother’s Day and bridesmaid sets.

The post Birthday Gifts for Her: Personalized and Made to Order appeared first on Colors By Love.

The one thing people actually keep: your name in Thai

I am biased here, so take it as a bias I can defend. The souvenirs that survive are the ones that are worn, and the ones that are worn are the ones that carry something personal. A Thai script name is both. It looks like Thailand from across the room, and it means something only to the person wearing it.

Where to start, depending on how much you want it to say:

• Custom Thai Name Necklace, the full name in Thai script, and the one most people mean when they ask for this
• Thai Initial Necklace, two letters, quieter, easier to wear every day
• Classic Thai Initial Bracelet, one letter each, which is why it works for a group
• Thai Letter Name Ring, for someone who does not wear necklaces
• Single Letter Charm Bracelet, if you want to add to it later

If you are not sure how a name is written, we set it out in the guide to writing your name in Thai. You can also see your name in Thai with our free tool first. Get the spelling checked before you order. Thai script does not forgive a guess.

Bangkok you can wear

The other honest option is the city itself rather than a name. These read as Thailand without needing an explanation, and they are the ones I give to people who already have everything.

• Thailand Map Bracelet, kept in stock
• Thai Map Necklace, kept in stock
• Bangkok Street Sign Bracelet, the blue enamel sign, which Bangkok residents recognise instantly
• Bangkok Ring

Stones, if you want it to hold its value

Thailand is one of the world’s cutting and trading centres for coloured stones, which is the real reason to buy a gemstone here rather than at home. Sapphire, ruby, garnet, topaz. The saving is not small.

Two things to insist on. Ask what the stone is and where it came from, and ask for it in writing. We issue a certificate for the stone, and a separate one for the finished piece, and you can take either or both. A seller who will not put it on paper is telling you something.

• One to Five Round Natural Gemstones Bracelet, a stone for each birthday
• Custom Heart Pendant with Gemstone
• Natural 3mm Stone Prong-Set Necklace, the plainest way to wear a single stone
• All birthstone jewelry

Thai souvenir bags and pouches

Toanoi, in the same building as us on Sukhumvit 71, prints and sews its own canvas. Aru Aru is illustrated everyday Thailand, street food, floating markets, temples, festivals, each bag with a coloured handle. The days-of-the-week range uses the traditional Thai colour for each day, which every Thai grows up knowing and almost nothing in the tourist shops uses.

• Mini Tote Aru Aru and the Mini Pouch Aru Aru
• Tote Days in Week and the Drawstring Pouch, embroidered, the easiest thing here to carry home
• Rope Tote, printed with Thai numerals
• The rest of the canvas range

What to skip

Fake bags and watches. Customs in most countries will take them, and some will fine you.

Anything with a Buddha’s head. Buddha images need an export permit from the Fine Arts Department, and the rule is enforced at the airport. Thai people also find the decorative use of Buddha heads genuinely offensive.

Gems bought on a tuk-tuk driver’s recommendation. If a stranger tells you a temple is closed and offers to take you to a government gem sale, it is a scam. It has been running for decades.

Ivory and anything from a protected animal. Illegal to export and illegal to import almost everywhere.

If you fly out tomorrow

This is the part most souvenir lists cannot help you with. A custom name is made to order and takes about a week, and you do not have a week. Plenty of this list is already on the shelf.

• A single Thai letter, on the bracelet or the side necklace
• The map pieces, both the bracelet and the necklace
• Every Toanoi canvas bag and pouch, all of them in stock

At checkout, choose Pick up from shop instead of shipping. The shop is at 259/80 Phibunwet Village, Sukhumvit 71, on the airport side of the city, so it works as a stop on the way to Suvarnabhumi rather than a detour. Message us before you set off so we can have it waiting at the counter.

Questions people ask before they buy

Which colour goes with which Thai day?

Every Thai person knows the day they were born and the colour that belongs to it. It is the reason the day bags work as a gift rather than a print.

• Sunday, red
• Monday, yellow
• Tuesday, pink
• Wednesday, green
• Thursday, orange
• Friday, blue
• Saturday, purple

Ask the person’s birthday, then pick the colour. That single detail is what makes a Thailand souvenir land instead of looking generic.

How do I get a name spelled correctly in Thai?

Send it to us and we will write it out and show you before anything is made. Thai is written by sound rather than letter, so the same English name can go several ways, and one wrong vowel changes the meaning. Our guide to writing your name in Thai covers the common ones. Never guess from an online converter.

Is a gemstone actually cheaper in Bangkok?

For coloured stones, usually yes, because the cutting and trading happen here. Sapphire, ruby, garnet and topaz are the ones worth buying. Diamonds are not, since those are priced globally. Ask what the stone is, ask where it came from, and get it in writing before you pay.

Can I take it on the plane?

Jewelry goes in your hand luggage without a problem, and we pack it in a box that survives being sat on. Bags and pouches are cotton canvas, so they fold flat. There is no export paperwork on any of this.

What if I have already flown home?

We ship worldwide by FedEx and DHL, and shipping inside Thailand is free. Plenty of people order after they get home, once they realise what they should have bought.

If you want one recommendation

The custom Thai name necklace. It is the piece people come back for, and the only souvenir on this list that I have seen still being worn years later. It is made to order in Bangkok, it takes about a week to ten days, and it ships worldwide, so you can order it before you fly home and have it follow you. Left it too late for that? Take a single initial instead, that one is on the shelf.

More on that on the souvenir from Thailand page, and if you are living here rather than visiting, the Bangkok expat guide to custom jewelry covers where the good workshops are.

The post What to Buy in Bangkok: Souvenirs People Actually Keep appeared first on Colors By Love.

It’s the kind of gift that stops a mum for a second when she opens it, because she works out what the stones mean before you have to explain. We make each one to order in our Bangkok workshop, choosing and setting every natural stone by hand. If you’re thinking about one for Mother’s Day, here’s how to get it right.

What a family birthstone ring actually is

The idea is simple. One ring, one stone per child, arranged along the band. A mother of three wears three stones. Add a fourth when a fourth arrives. Some mums include their own stone, or their partner’s, so the whole family sits on one finger. There’s no fixed rule, which is the nice part. You’re building it around her family, not fitting her family into a template.

Because we make it to order, the ring is shaped around the number of stones and the size of her finger, not pulled from a tray. If you’d rather see finished pieces first, the birthstone collection is a good place to start, and the name rings show how we build personalized bands.

Choosing the stones: one per child, by birth month

Each child’s stone is set by their birth month. That’s the whole system. You tell us the months, we source natural stones to match, and we set them in the birth order. Here’s the month-by-month guide so you can picture hers before you order.

Every stone we use is natural and hand-set, so two “September blues” won’t look identical, and that’s part of the charm. You can read where our stones come from on our gemstones page.

Silver or gold, and which suits her

We make the ring in 925 sterling silver or solid gold. If she already wears mostly gold, match it so the ring joins her everyday stack. If her other pieces are silver, keep it cool-toned. There’s no better metal here, only the one that looks like hers. When the stones are bright, a plainer band lets them do the talking.

Getting her size right without spoiling it

This is the one thing people worry about, and it’s fixable. If you can borrow a ring she already wears on that finger, we can work from it. If you can’t, message us on WhatsApp and we’ll give you a quiet way to find her size. We’d rather sort this before we make the ring than resize it after.

Ordering in time for Mother’s Day

A family birthstone ring is made to order, and with several stones to source and set it needs a little runway. Give us about 7 to 10 days on the bench, plus shipping, and order a couple of weeks ahead of Mother’s Day to be comfortable. Every ring comes with a 3-year warranty, so if she wants a stone added the year a new grandchild arrives, we’re here for that too.

Questions mums and gift-givers ask

How many birthstones can a family ring hold?

As many as her children, and then some. We regularly set three to five, and we can build wider bands for larger families or add her own and her partner’s stones.

Can I add a stone later when another child arrives?

Yes. Bring the ring back and we’ll add the new stone. It’s part of why people like this piece: it grows with the family.

What if I don’t know her ring size?

Borrow a ring she wears on that finger, or message us for a simple way to measure without giving away the surprise.

Are the birthstones natural?

Yes. Every stone is natural and hand-set by our team in Bangkok, so each ring has a little variation of its own.

Handcrafted to order in Bangkok, Sukhumvit 71. Natural gemstones and 925 sterling silver or solid gold, with a 3-year warranty. Free shipping across Thailand on every order.

Every piece is made to order in our Bangkok studio, in 925 sterling silver or gold, and you can now choose any natural gemstone you like. Our family birthstone ring holds a stone for each child, side by side. Free shipping across Thailand on every order.

The post A Family Birthstone Ring: Her Children, Close to Her Hand appeared first on Colors By Love.

A piece with her name on it, or her stone, is still there in March. And the March after that. That’s the whole reason we make what we make. Every piece is handcrafted to order in our small Bangkok workshop, so it’s already hers before it leaves the bench. Here’s how to pick one she’ll keep reaching for.

Start with her name

It sounds obvious, but a name necklace is the piece people come back and thank us for. Her name, in Thai, English, Japanese or any other language, crafted and finished by hand on a fine chain she can wear with anything. We make more of these in the two weeks before Valentine’s than at any other time of year, and there’s a reason: it reads as personal without being loud.

If she wears silver, we work in 925 sterling silver. If she leans warmer, solid gold or a gold finish. You choose the script and the chain length, and we make it to order. Have a look at the custom name necklaces to see the letterforms.

Her birthstone, if a name feels like too much

New relationship? A name can feel like a big step. A birthstone doesn’t. It’s her month, set into a necklace or a ring, and it still says you paid attention. Every stone we set is natural and hand-placed by our team, so the colour has real depth to it rather than the flat look of glass. If you’re not sure which stone belongs to which month, the birthstone collection lays it out, and you can read more about where the stones come from on our gemstones page.

An initial, for the ones who keep it quiet

Some women don’t want their whole name around their neck. An initial does the job. One letter, hers or yours, small and easy to wear every day. It’s the piece I’d point a first-time buyer to, because it’s hard to get wrong. The initial collection has the shapes.

If you’ve been together a long time

After a few years, the good gifts get more specific. A ring with your children’s names. A pendant engraved with the date everything started. These take a little more thought, and they land harder for it. Our name rings and engraved pieces are where couples usually end up once the obvious gifts are behind them.

Getting the timing and the size right

One honest thing: because each piece is made to order, it isn’t an overnight buy. Give us about 7 to 10 days to make it, plus a day or two to ship, and order earlier than that in the Valentine’s rush. If you’re eyeing the 14th, aim for a month ahead and you’re safe.

Don’t know her ring size? You’re not the first. Message us on WhatsApp before you order and we’ll walk you through a way to find it without giving the surprise away. We’d rather spend five minutes now than remake a ring later.

Why a made-to-order piece beats the mall

A mall counter sells the same three chains to everyone who walks past. What we make is hers alone: her name, her stone, her size, done by hand in Bangkok, Sukhumvit 71. It comes with a 3-year warranty, so if something needs attention down the line, we look after it. That’s the difference between a gift she opens and a gift she keeps.

Questions we get before Valentine’s

What’s a good Valentine’s Day gift for her?

Something she can wear after the day is over. A name necklace, an initial pendant, or her birthstone set in silver or gold. If it’s early in the relationship, keep it simple with a single letter or one stone.

How early should I order for Valentine’s Day?

Try to order a month in advance. Valentine’s is one of our busiest times of the year, and every piece is made to order and takes 7 to 10 days. A month gives us room to get it right and get it to you well before the 14th.

Can I get her name in Thai script?

Yes. We make name pieces in Thai, English, Japanese or any other language. Type the name the way you want it and we’ll confirm the design with you before we start.

I don’t know her ring size. What now?

Message us before you order. We’ll give you a simple way to find her size, or we’ll steer you to a necklace or bracelet instead, which sidesteps sizing altogether.

Handcrafted to order in Bangkok, Sukhumvit 71. Natural gemstones and 925 sterling silver or solid gold. Free shipping across Thailand on every order.

Every piece is handcrafted to order in Bangkok, in 925 sterling silver or gold, with any natural gemstone you like. See our name necklaces and initial jewelry. Free shipping across Thailand on every order.

The post Valentine’s Day Gifts for Her That She’ll Actually Wear appeared first on Colors By Love.

By late December everyone’s tired of guessing. You want a gift that feels personal without turning into a project. A name necklace or a birthstone piece does that, and because we make each one to order in our Bangkok workshop, it’s hers and no one else’s. Here’s how to choose one she’ll wear long after the decorations come down.

The piece she keeps wearing after the season

A candle gets burned. A scarf gets lost. Jewelry with her name or her stone on it stays in the rotation, and every time she puts it on she thinks of who gave it to her. That’s really the test for a good Christmas gift for her: will she still reach for it in six months? A well-made name necklace passes it easily.

Her name, in her own script

Her name in Thai, English, Japanese or any other language, crafted by hand on a chain she can layer or wear on its own. We make these in 925 sterling silver or solid gold, and you pick the length so it sits where she likes it. If she already wears a lot of gold, match it. If she’s a silver person, keep it simple. The name necklace collection shows the letterforms so you can picture hers.

Her birthstone, for something with a little colour

If a name feels too forward, her birthstone is the softer version of the same idea. It’s still about her, just quieter. We set natural stones by hand, so the colour has depth to it, and you can put it in a pendant or a ring. Not sure which stone is hers? The birthstone collection is sorted by month.

Buying for a wife, a girlfriend, or your mum

These aren’t the same gift. For a wife, a piece with the kids’ names or an engraved date carries weight after years together. Have a look at the engraved pieces. For a girlfriend, keep it lighter: a single initial or one birthstone says you’re paying attention without overreaching. For your mum, her children’s names on one necklace is the gift that tends to get the long hug. Any of them, we make to order.

If you’re an expat here, this part matters

Christmas shopping in Bangkok can mean shipping something home, or handing it over here. Either way, we ship free across Thailand, and we can get pieces out internationally too. The thing to watch is timing. Each piece is made to order and takes about 7 to 10 days on the bench, so for a gift you need wrapped by the 25th, order by about 1 December. Leave it later than that and message us first, because sometimes we can still make it work.

A small workshop, not a factory

What you’re buying at Christmas from us is a piece a person actually made: chosen name, chosen stone, chosen size, finished by hand in Bangkok, Sukhumvit 71, and backed by a 3-year warranty. It arrives ready to give. That’s the gift she remembers came from you, not from a shelf.

Questions we get before Christmas

What’s a good personalized Christmas gift for her?

A name necklace, an initial pendant, or her birthstone in silver or gold. Pick a name piece for a wife or mum, and something lighter like a single letter for a newer relationship.

When’s the last day to order for Christmas?

Order by about 1 December. Pieces are made to order and take about 7 to 10 days, plus shipping. If you’re cutting it close, message us and we’ll tell you honestly whether we can still make it.

Do you ship outside Thailand for the holidays?

Yes. Shipping across Thailand is free, and we ship internationally with tracking, calculated at checkout.

Can I have it gift-ready?

Every piece arrives wrapped and ready to give. If you need a note included, tell us when you order.

Handcrafted to order in Bangkok, Sukhumvit 71. Natural gemstones and 925 sterling silver or solid gold. Free shipping across Thailand on every order.

Everything is made to order in our Bangkok studio, in 925 sterling silver or gold, and you can now choose any natural gemstone you like. Browse our birthstone jewelry and name necklaces to start. Free shipping across Thailand on every order.

The post Christmas Gifts for Her, Made by Hand and Made to Keep appeared first on Colors By Love.