Cambodia Gem Scam

The selling of jewellery containing completely fake stones, especially rubies and sapphires in Cambodia has been reported for decades.

As a gemstone dealer with over 15 years of experience buying gems and diamonds around the world, I am constantly amazed when when I hear stories from friends (and in some cases family), or read in the press about people being ripped off when attempting to buy gemstones or diamonds on holiday.

If you're seriously thinking about buying a ruby or sapphire of this kind on your next holiday, please read this series of guides. It is written with the holiday maker in mind and isn't full of jargon or technical information, just straight forward advice.

How the scam is done

The scam here is that a "trusted" individual is in on the scam, the hotel manager or professional translator or tour guide. The tourist is steered towards an upmarket jewellery store where they will be offered fantastic jewellery at amazing too good to be true prices. In every reported case the stone has been a fake and worthless.

The best way to avoid this scam

There are reputable jewelers in Cambodia, the best advice is to fully research and find those reputable jewellers are and their exact location before you leave home, and deal only with them.

Want to see the more gem scams going on around the world? Click Here For More Gem Scams