Fri 25 May 2007
![]() Mesa shopping mall in Namdaemun Market.
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![]() Inside the bead market. Entire B1 floor is filled with bead and jewelry supply shops.
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One of the things that immediately struck me and confused me to no end was the colors of these silver findings. They are… silvery, golden, reddish, brownish, yellowish and blackish! What gives?? And I discovered the most curious thing of it all — in Korea, sterling silver findings are often plated with all sorts of metal: yellow gold (of course), white gold, copper, brass, and even gun metal.
After much probing, the reasons that the shop keepers gave me were as follows. Sterling silver is preferred because of its low allergenic factor; however, its easily tarnishing nature makes it preferable to plate it over with other colored metals that prevents tarnishing. Well, I am not entirely convinced that the top coat of base metal wouldn’t in fact trigger allergic reactions, and that tarnishing of silver core wouldn’t show through the supposedly thin top coat of base metal. (After all, vermeil is 24k gold over sterling silver, and it tarnishes and tarnishes ugly.) At any rate, the Korean public seems to be rather accustomed to seeing Sterling silver in all varieties of colors, so that’s actually pretty cool. One of the downsides is, however, the complete unavailability of gold-filled findings here. The market seems to be quite content with gold-plated silver that it doesn’t seem to have the demand for gold-filled. For now, I will have to rely solely on overseas vendors for GF.
I found that beaded and wire-worked gemstone jewelry segment in Korea doesn’t have its own identity set apart from that of high-end precious jewelry; as a result, beaded jewelry tends to mimic the look of “non-handmade” jewelry, and bead stores in general cater to that trend by stocking up the standard fare of gemmy gemstones such as faceted semi-precious rondelles, briolettes and such.
Seo Woo, on the other hand, has a good selection of “interesting” gemstone beads, the organic-looking and chunky kinds, just the way I like ‘em. :-) Whenever I visit, I terribily inconvenience the two nice shop owners by lingering forever, combing through each strand of gemstones and taking my time struggling to pick out the most perfect strand. Luckily for me, they are most understanding. Ms Kim especially possesses the superpower of picking out the prettiest gemstone strands at a glance when I am at the height of my indecisiveness. They are also used to me running to the nearest ATM machines and back before paying: all shops in the Mesa Jewelry center only accept cash, and somehow I always go over the self-imposed bead shopping budget of the day. :-)
All in all, many of my successful designs were made with beads came from this store (such as my prehnite ring). I have the wonderful tastes of Seo Woo’s owners to thank for.
![]() Loot of the day
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Today was no exception, and after two ATM withdrawals later I came home with a huge purchase. Pictured is the most prized of the loot: moss amethyst elongated briolettes, fossil coral drops, and grey moonstone carved leaves. Can’t wait to use them in my designs. :-)
44 Responses to “Bead Shopping at Namdaemun Market, Seoul”
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May 25th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Wow, that is an amazing selection of gemstone beads. I wish I had that where I live. You definitely have good taste in bead selection and the ones that you choose for your store are very interesting and unique. Maybe I should fly to Korea for my bead shopping :)
May 25th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Thank you, Liza! Apparently Hong Kong has the largest of year-round bead shopping districts, so it’s on my list of places to visit. Having a decent source close to home surely is convenient though. :-)
May 26th, 2007 at 8:24 am
Wow! They’re all gorgeous, wish I was there. Looking forward to your new creations :)
May 26th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Hi Rae! I’m from Hong Kong. I’ve to say, the bead shopping mall in Seoul is so much more neat & organised! Mostly importantly… air-conditioned. I’d love to go bead shopping in Seoul but think maybe it’ll be difficult to communicate.
You should come to HK for the International jewelry fair that takes place 4 times a year. The next one will be at the end of June.
Hope to see you in HK!
Joni
May 26th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Hi Karen and Joni! Wow, the International Jewelry fair is so close. I am so much closer to HK now, this will be a perfect chance to visit. It will also be the ultimate test for my self-control! :-) Thanks for the info.
May 27th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
I am having adrenaline rush just seeing those pictures of beads! *swoons* :P There are a number of bead shops in Singapore, but I am often limited by the quality and variety of the gemstones they stock up with, so I prefer to shop online mostly. Thankfully, there is that one shop selling GF findings over here. I hope to be able to shop in Seoul and HK for gemstones some day! Btw, I love that prehnite ring! Just that I am such a klutz and never fail to lose my rings, so I can never convince myself to get it. :P
May 28th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
Hi Wan, Me too — I can’t wear anything on my finger or my wrist, so I just make em and not wear em. :-) I like shopping for beads on ebay too. It can be a miss, but nothing can beat the sheer variety of choices there!
May 29th, 2007 at 8:39 am
I think all of you should come to the Hong Kong to shop for beads (esp. the jewelry fair)… it’s a paradise!!
June 1st, 2007 at 10:56 am
Whoa, it’s June now. Better start saving up…!! :-)
June 25th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Oh my!!!! I want to go there!!!! Must be a wonderful place to shop.
July 25th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
I went to the Hong Kong show last September and I have to say that it really was an amazing experience. Rae if you’re so close, you should definitely save up and pay a visit. I’d be interested in hearing how the prices compare as well. :)
July 30th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Hello Rae,
Ho w would I go about contacting the market? There is not a listed link. Please let me know!
September 8th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Hi Rae:
We went shopping at the Mesa Mall yesterday abour 3:30 pm and it was closed (the jewelry section)! So a wasted trip from Suwon. How do find out their hours and holidays when you don’t speak Korea.
I am working on some chain maille jewelry and I really needed some things.
You’ve been a huge help to me for I would have never found this place.
September 8th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
Woo. Sorry to hear that. The jewelry market is wholesale so it more or less operates during normal business hours. I believe they close at 6pm on weekdays and around 3pm (could be 2pm) on Saturdays. It’s closed on Sundays.
July 10th, 2008 at 7:32 am
I am headed to Hong Kong - where should I shop?
September 6th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Hi!
I am going to Hongkong next weekend and am looking for a beading shop or mall. PLEASE send me some addresses.
Thanks
October 7th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Hi! I have recently started beading/pearling as an expat in Seoul and also frequent the Trillion building in Namdaemun. On the upper floors are loads of gemstones, findings, etc., similar to what is on offer at Mesa. I also would like to find out where to shop for beading supplies in Hong Kong.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Hi,
I am looking for someone to get me in contact with a Korean beadsupplier?
Anyone?
Thanks
January 25th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Hi,
Could you please tell me the best places to shop for beads in Hong Kong.
Thanks!
January 29th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Wow! I went to the Intl. Gem and Jewelry Show in Dec. and it looked quite like this. It was like heaven really.
Jen
February 14th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Hi,
I’m going to Hong Kong in April 2009. I would like to visit TOHO SHOJI situated in Tai Nam Street, Kowloon. Who can give me some info about this shop.
Thanks
March 13th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Hey Rae,
Wow, I was just about to spend a ridiculous amount on shipping fees by buying online! Was just wondering if you had any idea if Mesa has a range of silver beads? Also, do they sell tools and wire there too? Sorry to ask, but I hate being overwhelmed! Do you know if they have an online store?
Thanks very much for this post!!
Jo
March 14th, 2009 at 3:13 am
Hi Jo,
Tiffani does carry some silver beads. There’s a vendor selling Thai Hill Tribe silver beads as well, but you probably could get better prices by ordering directly from Thailand, even with shipping. They do sell wires and some very basic tools too. I don’t think the stores there have online presence. Good luck!
-Rae
March 16th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Hi Rae
Thanks for the heads up. I shall drag myself out there at some stage.
Keep doing what you’re doing, your stuff is gorgeous!
July 19th, 2009 at 5:12 am
THanks for letting me know! I’d love to go check it out sometime. I’ll have to make my way up to that part of the city some weekend.
I’m mostly looking for wire (*NOT* the ‘craft wire’ plastic they sell at Alpha!!). I’m excited by the prospect of maybe finding some propper copper wire there… and maybe even a bench block if i’m very very lucky??
July 24th, 2009 at 3:02 am
Hi again, I know Tiffani carries sterling silver wire, but I am not sure about copper wire. Bench blocks might be sold there, but not sure about that either. What’s there is mountains of gemstone beads, and metal findings. Enjoy!!
September 17th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Hai Rae,
I would like to go to korea especially go to namdaemun market shopping, may I know how much for the gemstone and sterling silver (average)? It is expensive or cheap….
Thanks for your information.
By the way I am from Indonesia.
Rgds,
Janet
December 9th, 2009 at 8:56 am
hey rae!
i will be in seoul in march 2010 and i am very excited to have 14 hours to bead shop!
can you give me some advice on how to make the most of the 12 hours lay-over time i have? i have to get to thisstore from the airport and back, as well as ship my purchases back to canada… is this feasible?
any help is appreciated.
thank you,
claire
February 24th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
How funny, I’ve also got a layover in Seoul in March 2010, and was thinking of doing exactly the same thing! I’ll definitely be browsing Seo Woo and the rest of Mesa Mall, thank you so much for this post!
Since I’ll be looking for things that I can get cheaper there than in the states, are there specific types of beads or styles of findings that are generally a better deal in Korea? Any more stores that make your list of “must visits” when shopping in the area?
Thank you so much for the all the info!
Shelby
March 24th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Hey Rae,
Do you know these wholesale store’s website?
December 27th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
Hi guys,
will be over in Seoul in June. Can anybody help with more specific instructions on how to get here? Kinda difficult for us non-korean speaking, illiterate folks :)
Thanks
February 20th, 2011 at 9:09 pm
Hello Rae,
I went to Korea and visited Mesa Mall, Woojo, Namdeamun, I found nice jewerely things, but I heard its one more big!!!! I dont know where is it??? Maybe you know??? Im looking for findings jewellery anyone knows about it???
Thanks
MAriana
August 16th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
hi guys,
i`m looking for beads and wire stored in hong kong any good shop and not so expensive :) . thank you
jen
September 6th, 2011 at 9:40 pm
Sweet Rae ~
Thank you a BILLION for your Korea Bead Blog! Im in Korea right now visiting my Army Deployed Hubby and having a blast! I LOVE KOREA!!!!! People, Culture, Food, Temples, Palaces, Hiking, Waterfalls!!! WOOOOOT!!!!
Im so HAPPY that you made my life so easy when I went on the computer to look for bead stores here! Im about to go adventuring for the day and Mesa Mall is on the to do list before leaving Korea on the 20th. I will write you back and let you know how it went! THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!!!
~Skyfyr
September 18th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
Mesa Mall Bead shopping was a BLAST !!!! Its still there and going strong! Thank you for letting me know about this awesome place!
I’m from Washington State and the best place there for Bead shopping is Shipwreck Beads off Highway 5 in the Lacey area! Its a store the size of a grocery store and has super prices!
~ Enjoy!
February 4th, 2012 at 12:08 am
I wanted to let you know that this article was very discerning, I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts. I just love jewelry.
May 7th, 2013 at 6:16 am
I would like to know what are the opening days and hours of the bead shops located in Mesa building.
Thanks:)
November 27th, 2016 at 9:14 pm
Hi, my son is currently studying in Korea, do you know where he can get me matte gold ? I remember having seen on a website matte gold. Thanks
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