jewelry shopping/eastern

[amy101361]

What stores offer the best deals (and quality) for jewelry on Saint Marteen?

 

[upstateny]

I was wondering the same thing!

 

[Laura24]

I'm not sure how you would even rate the best deals on St. Maarten. There are numerous shops, and it really depends on what you are looking for and how much bargaining you do. I would research here at home first if you are looking for a particular jewelry piece and then comparison shop there. I bought a few pieces on St. Thomas, and kept looking disinterested when price was mentioned, the retailer just kept making counter offers on the prices each time I walked away. Got him down to what I wanted to spend on the three pieces I wanted. Good luck.

 

[abitjaded]

Dave has posted the shopping guides:

http://www.dcltribute.com/shopping/

I have been cruising the specific company web sites, not all these have sites. Try running a search for the specific thing you want (I have been searching diamonds), then compare prices on the web and some of your local stores. I am keeping notes, I now know what grade of diamond, size and price, then I will see if one of the DCL stores can beat it (so far sales at my local department stores and Costco beat the web, we'll see if tax free helps.) A cruising-jewelry buying friend told me to buy the stone unmounted, then buy the mounting, get it mounted and keep the receipts for both, the tax is supposedly lower if unmounted.

Carla

 

[janets]

Be sure you know the color, cut and clarity you want. Often, when shopping in stores on the islands, they will steer you to stones that are quite inferior. Make sure you ask to see the stones through a jeweler's loop. This shows them that you know what you are looking for. Ask if the stone is certified and ask to see the papers.

A good idea is to shop in bigger stores that handle quality stones before leaving and get an education on what good stones look like. Here in the east (NJ) we have several jewelry exchanges as well as stores like Fortunoff (which carries quality stones). I suggest you use these kinds of places to learn about stone quality and what you are looking for when you look through the loop (inclusions, carbon spots, etc.) as well as identifying color. Then, when you go into the stores on the islands, you will know what to ask for and what you are looking at and can be more assured of not getting ripped off.

We will be cruising the east on November 30 so I hope to be able to check out a few pieces myself.

 

[AnnMorin]

Joe's Jewelery in St.Maarten (dutch side) is really good. You need to know what you are talking about and be ready to walk away if they won't come down. Know your stones and what quality looks like. We preshopped in the states for a sapphire/diamond bracelet, it started out at 2100.00 (at Joe's) got them down to 1000.00 with gaurentee and written appraisal for 2000.00 appraised back home here for 3900.00. I did wear my other diamonds etc. when shopping so they knew I was a serious purchaser. Also shop at disney gaurenteed stores.

 

[Laura24]

Tanzanite seems to be the #1 gemstone on any of the islands. I was looking for topaz in particular to bring home since it reminded me most of the Caribbean water. I did find a pendant and earrings to match, but also spotted an Australian Opal that was so full of fire it took my breath away.I just held out until the price came way down. I would also ask to see the hallmark of any gold piece you look at. Gold, tri-gold and vermeil look very similar, so be cautious. An educated consumer is a smart shopper.