Hong Kong Missy Missy

The Jade Markets in Yau Ma Tei, just near the Temple Street Markets are your go to for everything jewellery, jade, stone and trinkets. Lots of stalls in two buildings selling traditional Chinese items to modern jewellery

Getting there

Taxi: Jade Hawkers Markets, Kansu Street, Yau Ma Tei

MTR: Jordan station, exit Jade Markets sign. Walk along Nathan Road away from Tsim Sha Tsui down the left hand side. Walk past Wing On department store and McDonalds. Turn left into Kansu street. Walk a far way along. The markets are on your right across the road in a small, low red shed looking building. There is a big red Chinese arch out the front and a small sign with 'Jade Hawkers Markets' on the building.

The stalls start early, opening at 9:00am and close at about 6:00pm. All stalls are open by 11:00am and is not recommended you arrive before this time. The first building with the red arch is the best if you like modern jewellery. The second building has more touristy, traditional Chinese items.

What to buy

There are pearls (real and shell based), stone necklaces in onyx, turquoise, bamboo coral, shell, stone, charms, silver, jade and porcelain-ware. Also jade bracelets, carved large groovy crosses, fake antiques, 1950's Chinese posters, Chinese new year statues and animals, even flutes! A wonderful place for gifts.

Hints

Best time to arrive is from 11:00am onwards as all the stalls are open by then. The first building with the red arch contains a bigger selection of modern jewellery. Depending on the popularity and quality of the stall will depend if you can bargain or not and by how much.

Mandy Poon's Stall and Charles stall opposite

The old ladies tend to bargain more but have less selection. You can bargain from 10% to 50% depending on the stall. Just feel your way at each individual stall.

They are not as ruthless as the Ladies Markets and will negotiate at a more civilized pace. There are a few pushy ladies who hold onto you, but don't put up with it as there are lots of lovely sales people. If you walk away some will call you back and some will not. Again, have in your head how much you want to pay in Australian dollars.

Recommended stalls and prices:

(of course there are many to choose from. These are ones we have experienced and are happy with) They may move or shut down, things change all the time.

Stall 387- Mandy Poon: (I go to her every time I come here) Pearls, cultured and shell based. She will make anything you ask for in about 30 minutes. I took a photo of a pearl necklace and she copied it perfectly. Large shell based pearl necklace cost 200HK.($25) Lovely real pearl earrings 70HK. ($9) Lovely water pearl bracelets 80HK. ($10) Very little negotiating but great quality and very honest. She also has sterling silver clasps.

Stall 406/407 Charles: Beautiful quality stone necklaces for reasonable prices. Long stone, crystal necklace 70HK. ($9) Bargain at this shop. He is opposite Mandy Poon.

Sandra Stall 437/447: Sister and brother run the stall. (I come to this stall every time). Handmade real sterling silver and pearl necklaces, bracelets, lanyard necklaces with pearls, groovy necklaces with small sterling silver detail. Some very similar to Noosa 'Signatures' shop. Very modern and groovy. No negotiating with the brother so maybe wait for the sister to come back if she isn't there. Silver and pearl bracelets about 80HK each. ($10)

Stall 355/315- Chau Fung Ping: Really interesting chunky necklaces with wonderful beads. Very reasonable price. I bought a chunky beaded necklace with carved butterfly, red wood symbols and black beads 70Hk, ($9). Very large turquoise cross which she put onto a black string 40HK ($5). Negotiate at this stall.

Stall 338: Dear old lady and man. First stall you come across as you walk in. Very cheap and cute shell necklaces. 40HK. ($5) Great gifts. Negotiate here as well.