Hello everyone! My wife and I have shopped at Hawaii Gold & Gems frequently over the past 12+…read moreyears. That is for several reasons: first, we live just a short distance away; second, we pass by the shop whenever we have breakfast at Duke's, which is twenty feet away, inside the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel; third, the quality and service at Hawaii Gold & Gems is excellent.
The owners are Lynn and her husband John (they are both Vietnamese and speak excellent English). John runs a jewelry and 'trinket' shop that is more directed to the tourist seeking gifts, etc., while Lynn (and her sister, when Lynn is taking a day off), runs Hawaii Gold & Gems.
We have bought about 100 items of jewelry over the years from Lyn, since we first shopped in her shop. The quality and price are excellent. We have even had custom work done and repair work done. You can get quality and attractive necklaces, bracelets, rings, pendants, etc., from this great little shop, whether you want gold, silver or plated jewelry with with inexpensive or high value gems mounted in the jewelry. You also buy beautiful Hawaiian designs. Almost any kind of beautiful jewelry is available from this little shop. And, if you have a few days, Lynn can get just about anything you want or even repair your jewelry. She is a great gal with two beautiful university graduate children.
You will always get a nice quality item, whether for yourself, or as a gift. You can get high and low priced items, all depending on what you want. But, you will always get an honest price. Sure, you can also bargain, but, don't expect Lynn's price to be a giveaway! Whatever price you pay, you'll get a fair price.
Now, when you are in Honolulu, you will most likely be in Waikiki. And, when you are at or near the International Marketplace, on Kalakaua Avenue, where there are hundreds of kiosks, with all sorts of jewelry and trinkets, T-shirts, and such for sale. Just look at the jewelry, if the item favors your interest, just don't buy it yet. Walk across Kalakaua to the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel, which is directly across from the Marketplace. Enter the right hand entranceway (with a Coach handbag shop to the right), walk about 70 feet inside, and, on your left, as the row of shops are, just past the UPS store, you will find Hawaii Gold & Gems.
If you arrive before 9:00 a.m., I suggest you walk about 15 more feet towards the ocean and go into Duke's restaurant and have a wonderful buffet breakfast (they also have a nice lunch and dinner menu). While in Duke's you will be in a place that's named in honor of world famous Olympic Champion surfer, Duke Kahanamoku (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Kahanamoku). There are all sorts of pictures and items on display with many other famous people to enjoy along with your breakfast if which we can assure you that you will enjoy the breakfast and the great views if the beach, Diamond Head and often surfers. You can also enjoy other shops inside the hotel, but please stop at Lynn's, Hawaii Gold & Gems.
We you visit the shop, ask for Lynn and tell her that Jon & Nelly sent you. I'm sure that she will give you a better price. She has always given us a good price for any of the hundreds of items we have bought as gifts or for ourselves. You will enjoy the items you buy from her shop. And, realize that you may find similar items across the street, at the Marketplace, you will not find the quality or price as you will find at either Lynn's or John's shop. John's shop, which has more trinkets and tourist related items are of good quality and worthy of shopping for.
Don't forget to tell Lynn or John that Jon & Nelly recommended you shop at their shops.
BTW, we are currently traveling and in Avanos, Turkey just a few miles from UNESCO World Heritage sites of Göreme in the Cappadocia district. We will return to Waikiki on 17 July 2013. We will have breakfast at Dukes and visit Lynn the next morning.
Aloha,
Jon & Nelly von Kessel
Waikiki, Hawaii