Korean Jade Ring & Garakji: Where to Buy in Seoul (Trending)

"Is that jade?" I asked, pointing at a slim green band in the window. The owner smiled: "Garakji. Very Korean. Everyone asks now."

I'd seen the jade ring all over my travel feed before the trip — that clean green stone, sometimes a stacked pair. I assumed it would be some hard-to-find specialty. It wasn't. In Jongno, whole shops specialize in it, and a few have been doing it for decades.

If you want one real souvenir from Seoul that isn't a keychain,

a jade garakji is the piece tourists are quietly falling for right now.

Here's where to find a good one and what to check.

📌 Quick Facts

① Garakji (가락지) is a traditional Korean ring, often worn as a matching pair. ② Jongno's jewelry district is the go-to place, with dedicated jade specialists. ③ One long-running shop, Yeajak Jewelry, has sold jade rings by Jongno 3-ga Station since 1983, across three generations.

What Is a Garakji, Exactly?

It helps to know what you're buying before a shop owner starts talking. Here's the short version.

Term	Meaning	Good to know
Garakji	Paired ring	Traditionally worn as two
Banji	Single ring	Everyday single band
Jade (옥)	Green stone	Symbol of luck & health

Jade has long stood for good fortune and well-being in Korea, which is part of why it makes such a meaningful gift. Many visitors buy a pair — one to keep, one to give.

⚠️ Check Before You Buy

Not all "jade" is equal — quality and treatment vary. Ask whether it's natural jade, request the price breakdown, and get your ring size measured in Korean sizing (it differs from US/EU). For a meaningful piece, ask about a certificate. Comparing two or three shops takes ten minutes and saves regret.

Visit Korea — Jongno 3-ga Jewelry District →Korea Tourism Organization · official

How to Buy One (Step by Step)

The whole thing is friendlier than it looks. Here's the flow I used.

1

Go to Jongno 3-ga, Exit 8

Walk the street and look for shops with jade in the window; the specialists are easy to spot.

2

Try single vs. paired

Decide if you want one band or the traditional pair. Owners will happily let you try both on.

3

Confirm size, price & receipt

Get sized correctly, agree the final price, and keep the receipt for any tax-refund claim.

Make It a Half-Day

Once you have your ring, you're steps from Insadong's tea houses and Ikseon-dong's alleys.

A jade garakji plus a walk through old Seoul is one of the best low-key afternoons in the city.

📚 Jongno Jewelry Guide — Related Reads

🗺️Jongno Jewelry Street Seoul: Where to Buy Gold & Jade (Guide)→ 🪙Buying Gold in Jongno Seoul: 14K, 18K & Pure Gold Guide→ ❤️Couple Rings in Seoul: Jongno Jewelry Street Guide→ Official Visit Seoul — Jongno Jewelry Street →Seoul Metropolitan Government · official guide

※ Note
Jade quality, treatment, and pricing vary by shop; confirm authenticity, sizing, and price at the counter before buying. Shop names and histories are current at the time of writing. This guide is for general travel information only.
Sources: Visit Korea (Korea Tourism Organization), Visit Seoul · as of 2026-07-09

The Korean jade ring (garakji) is trending with tourists. Where to buy a real jade ring in Seoul's Jongno district, what to check for quality, and how much to expect to pay.