OK I have heard that St. Thomas and St. Maarten are some of the best places to buy jewelry. Well.... I am looking to buy some! I am specifically looking to buy a diamond tennis bracelet. Has anyone bought any jewelry at either of these ports?
Tell me good and bad experiences. I want to make sure that I have all my carats in a row before I buy them. I have also done my own online investigating, but I want some first hand info.
I would go in with an open eye...you may be able to get some good deals, but I would make sure that you get the following:
A guarantee that you can get the bracelet appraised upon returning home and what the guarantee is (will they refund the money if the appraisal isn't satisfactory?)...and get it in writing!!!
Also, if there is certification, make sure that you get the certification and that it matches your purchase...
I can provide you with some great resources for online diamond purchases if you're interested...let me know!!!
My opinion only!! I buy a lot of gold in the islands, and go by weight, you can feel the weight!! And at the most, the clasp may break, and easy to fix. I would never buy diamonds there, if there is a problem, you can't take it back in person. I have read horror stories about cruise lines saying to buy in these places, but if there is a problem, the cruisline doesn't know you and the company doesn't have to do anything!!, I have heard of stones falling out, Clasp opening, and wouldn't stay closed, appraisal WAY OFF and much lower when they had it done here upon return. At one time, St Thomas was THE place to buy jewelry. Not any more. There are great deals right here, where you can look someone in the eye to say there is a problem. Diamonds International, and Emeralds International are both ripoffs!! I buy most of my jewelry on the ship in the jewelry shop,I don't need it, I like it!!
On every ship, there is a shopping "expert". While it's true that they do favor stores that help them out, they do know who carries what.
On both our cruises recently, we asked the shopping guides to recommend a place for sapphire jewelry. I thought the places we were sent to were excellent, and we are happy with our purchases. We were given an introduction card to each place, with the name of a person to work with, but you can get good service from almost anyone in the store.
So I would say, take a look before you go, and see what you want. See what prices for it are like here. Then go talk to the shopping guide!
I would go in with an open eye...you may be able to get some good deals, but I would make sure that you get the following:
A guarantee that you can get the bracelet appraised upon returning home and what the guarantee is (will they refund the money if the appraisal isn't satisfactory?)...and get it in writing!!!
Also, if there is certification, make sure that you get the certification and that it matches your purchase...
I can provide you with some great resources for online diamond purchases if you're interested...let me know!!!
DEFINITELY interested in what you have to share!
I have worked with jewelry before so I at least have a small amount of knowledge (just enough to make me dangerous )
Please send me any info you can. The certification pointers are great!
On every ship, there is a shopping "expert". While it's true that they do favor stores that help them out, they do know who carries what.
On both our cruises recently, we asked the shopping guides to recommend a place for sapphire jewelry. I thought the places we were sent to were excellent, and we are happy with our purchases. We were given an introduction card to each place, with the name of a person to work with, but you can get good service from almost anyone in the store.
So I would say, take a look before you go, and see what you want. See what prices for it are like here. Then go talk to the shopping guide!
I have gone "looking/pricing" here and have a good idea about the prices. I will do the "expert" thing but just don't want them to only recommend Diamonds Int'l. I visited one of thier stores on my last cruise and wasn't impressed with them.
My opinion only!! I buy a lot of gold in the islands, and go by weight, you can feel the weight!! And at the most, the clasp may break, and easy to fix. I would never buy diamonds there, if there is a problem, you can't take it back in person. I have read horror stories about cruise lines saying to buy in these places, but if there is a problem, the cruisline doesn't know you and the company doesn't have to do anything!!, I have heard of stones falling out, Clasp opening, and wouldn't stay closed, appraisal WAY OFF and much lower when they had it done here upon return. At one time, St Thomas was THE place to buy jewelry. Not any more. There are great deals right here, where you can look someone in the eye to say there is a problem. Diamonds International, and Emeralds International are both ripoffs!! I buy most of my jewelry on the ship in the jewelry shop,I don't need it, I like it!!
I definitely agree with you on Diamonds Int'l... I was not impressed with them when I visited them on a different cruise. I do plan on looking in the jewelry stores as well.
You CAN find deals in local owned jewelry stores, just know all about what you are looking for before you go!!! And know how the gram weight looks and feels for gold!! Knowledge is savings!!
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I am specifically looking to buy a diamond tennis bracelet. Has anyone bought any jewelry at either of these ports? 
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