Question: Diamond, Gemstone and Watch Seminar

[Michellynn]

I was reviewing one of the Navigators for one of the Fantasy's recent June sailings on the Western Caribbean itinerary.

I saw that they had a 'Diamond, Gemstone and Watch" seminar listed on the first all sea day. It mentions it is intended to give you "essential tips on buying Diamonds & exotic gemstones in the Caribbean".

So, I was wondering if anyone on here has attended one and what it actually covers. Is it mostly about which places to shop? Or anything on checking the quality of the stones? Just curious to hear what someone that has attended this, or a similar seminar experienced.

Now, just a side note about my own jewelry "knowledge"....to be blunt...I am pretty much a jewelry fanatic (buy it everywhere I go on every single trip), but I am not necessarily jewelry "educated" so to speak. I own a lot of very good jewelry, in many different gemstones from the common to more rare. However, MOST of my gemstones have been purchased at my favorite local jeweler (B-day, or Christmas presents from hubby). When I am out of the country and shopping for jewelry...I typically stick to the "lesser" gemstones and silver....because a) without a doubt I know good silver, and a good setting when I see it at this point....and b) if I'm not 100% sure on the gemstone quality, I'd rather not risk it on a big ticket gem.

With all of the above said....I'd like to think that I would intuitively know a good gem quality when I see it (compared to what I already own)...but realistically, I have no facts to base that on. So, was wondering if this seminar might actually teach me a thing or two.

Anyone?

 

[turtle27]

I go to all of these (sometimes they give things away and sometimes you are lucky enough to get an item!). I think that they give you a very basic understanding of the 4 K's and then some practical knowledge. For example, if you are getting a gold vs white gold or platinum setting, you don't really need a higher quality of color, you can get a lesser quality color diamond because the diamond will naturally take on the color of the gold, so that you can either get a bigger diamond OR save money on the same size, just different color. You may already know this, I was younger and had not thought of that. Also, I think that, as it seems you already know, you have to do your research about what is a good price for a particular item. If you want watches, know what your brand of watch is going for and how much a good deal is.

I have received some great deals in ports and turned down some that I did not think were good. The seminar was a good way to see what was available at each of the Ports as well.

Not sure if this helps or not. It depends on what you are looking for and what knowledge you already have.

 

[OKW Lover]

IMHO, these seminars are pretty much just promoting specific stores in each port. Those shops have paid a fee to be featured in these seminars plus they agree to provide some level of after-the-sale customer support through DCL if there is a problem once you get home.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

One thing to be aware of - those seminars are operated by employees of the businesses selling those jewels. Not an independent, unbiased person.

 

[Michellynn]

I go to all of these (sometimes they give things away and sometimes you are lucky enough to get an item!). I think that they give you a very basic understanding of the 4 K's and then some practical knowledge.

I have received some great deals in ports and turned down some that I did not think were good. The seminar was a good way to see what was available at each of the Ports as well.

Thanks...that actually does help. I know the basics...but I've never really had to worry about appraising a stone before. However, I have also passed on gemstones numerous times on my trips out of the country and I'm starting to feel like I need to be better informed. I've seen some great prices (compared to what I know I can get at home)...but I hesitate because I'm not entirely sure of the gem quality (particularly if it is a gem I don't currently own a lot of). And of course...I'm always happy to enter a chance to win free jewelry. LOL

IMHO, these seminars are pretty much just promoting specific stores in each port. Those shops have paid a fee to be featured in these seminars plus they agree to provide some level of after-the-sale customer support through DCL if there is a problem once you get home.

Well, I do like the idea that there is some customer support once you get home. I imagine if there are a lot of complaints on a particular store....even with the store paying a fee, I would hope Disney would find another store.

One thing to be aware of - those seminars are operated by employees of the businesses selling those jewels. Not an independent, unbiased person.

Well THAT I wasn't aware of. I did sort of wonder who was getting paid to be a shopping expert on the ship. Sounded like a good retirement job for me.

 

[owensjro]

Yep, as mentioned these are not DCL employees putting on these seminars so be wary of any information they are giving out. They are there for one reason only: get you to shop at their stores.

Just like those nice handy port guides they hand out showing you all the good shops. All sponsored by those very same shops.

We went to one shopping seminar only and I wanted to leave after the guy started talking about how every man needed a dozen or so watches.

Jim

 

[OKW Lover]

Yep, as mentioned these are not DCL employees putting on these seminars so be wary of any information they are giving out. They are there for one reason only: get you to shop at their stores. Just like those nice handy port guides they hand out showing you all the good shops. All sponsored by those very same shops. We went to one shopping seminar only and I wanted to leave after the guy started talking about how every man needed a dozen or so watches. Jim

I had a good laugh at the watch that adjusts your body's frequency.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

So, should DCL (and all other cruise lines) do away with these seminars, and port-shopping talks?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So, should DCL (and all other cruise lines) do away with these seminars, and port-shopping talks?

I imagine they (DCL) make decent money allowing the talks. And it's probably lucrative enough for the retailers to keep doing it.

I don't anticipate that they will do away with them.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I imagine they (DCL) make decent money allowing the talks. And it's probably lucrative enough for the retailers to keep doing it.

I don't anticipate that they will do away with them.

I was being sarcastic.

Anytime someone posts a question about the gems seminars, or port shopping talks, others come here and post how they're 'promoting the stores because they're getting a 'kick-back.' Um, YEAH? What else would be the motivation? If people WANT to buy, who else are they going to ask?

 

[bumbershoot]

I didn't go to a presentation on DCL, but I did on RCCL.

I find it to be good entertainment. I found it to be a nice way to see a port, assuming you had nothing else to do. We roamed around St Maarten's shopping district with the shopping map given, and it gave us (me) something of a scavenger hunt activity to do, to pick up all the $5 "gemstone" (glass) earrings and necklaces. (at Effy, for the record) And DH had the fun of buying me some tanzanite, because that's what he loves to do and the price was sort of kind of OK enough (and there was a free extra offering that the talk told us about) for me to say yes to.

The info about getting a yellower diamond if you're putting it in yellow gold is good, and while we knew it already it was no doubt good for others at the shopping talk I went to.

I would say that FIRST you should go to your fave jeweler and maybe see if he will give you some knowledge. (But...since you have a favorite and trusted jeweler, maybe you should just stick with him.) If he's willing to give you info, you can use that combined with the shopping talk to see if you can find a decent place to spend your money.

But basic info is good. For instance, in '03 for our honeymoon cruise, we ended up in some jewelry stores, and were strongly given the impression that tanzanite was an Alaska thing. Like...it was mined in Alaska. (we were obviously NOT paying attention to word roots there, LOL) We couldn't afford it, but we were tempted because we thought it was special. Just a teensy bit of knowledge would have kept us from that urge. I believe that our port shopping guide on our more recent cruise mentioned many times where it came from, so that would have been useful for us.

 

[perfectmatch300]

We went to one shopping seminar only and I wanted to leave after the guy started talking about how every man needed a dozen or so watches.

I guess I'd better keep my DH far away from those seminars! He would immediately decide the guy saying that was his new best friend, and would immediately seek to follow his advice! Yes, DH is a bit obsessed with his watches.

 

[tinkerone]

Diamonds International ring a bell???
and do not buy into the 'tanzanite is rare and it will be gone very shortly, don't miss out' speech they love to give. if it really was as rare as they say it would have been gone years ago, but they sure do love to tell you about it.
just be careful, I have read a lot of horror stories on purchases made in foreign ports. before anyone bites my head off I have read some good ones to but the bad ones sure do out weigh the good ones.

 

[Michellynn]

We went to one shopping seminar only and I wanted to leave after the guy started talking about how every man needed a dozen or so watches.

Jim

My husband would laugh at that! We'e been married for 14 years (dated for 5 before that) and this past year was the first time he actually asked for a watch for Christmas (never wore one at any time before that). So yeah....he would find that amusing.

I had a good laugh at the watch that adjusts your body's frequency.

Well....doesn't everyone need their frequency adjusted from time to time?

I would say that FIRST you should go to your fave jeweler and maybe see if he will give you some knowledge. (But...since you have a favorite and trusted jeweler, maybe you should just stick with him.) If he's willing to give you info, you can use that combined with the shopping talk to see if you can find a decent place to spend your money.

But basic info is good. For instance, in '03 for our honeymoon cruise, we ended up in some jewelry stores, and were strongly given the impression that tanzanite was an Alaska thing. Like...it was mined in Alaska. (we were obviously NOT paying attention to word roots there, LOL) We couldn't afford it, but we were tempted because we thought it was special. Just a teensy bit of knowledge would have kept us from that urge. I believe that our port shopping guide on our more recent cruise mentioned many times where it came from, so that would have been useful for us.

Going to my local jeweler is actually a good idea, which I hadn't thought of. I am such a good customer (along with my friend, who goes with me a lot)...that I'm thinking they won't be bothered that I am talking about buying somewhere else. Given my track record...they know I'll be back. LOL

As for the tanzanite...I actually own a couple pieces (nice ring and some stud earrings). so I'll admit I've been intrigued by how often it seems to be mentioned as available in the Caribbean (I don't see it around here all that often until recently a few pieces popping up).

Diamonds International ring a bell???
and do not buy into the 'tanzanite is rare and it will be gone very shortly, don't miss out' speech they love to give. if it really was as rare as they say it would have been gone years ago, but they sure do love to tell you about it.
just be careful, I have read a lot of horror stories on purchases made in foreign ports. before anyone bites my head off I have read some good ones to but the bad ones sure do out weigh the good ones.

I think it is less common to see (or at least it has been for me around here)....but having bought some in the last year I have a decent idea of what it should cost.

Maybe what I should do is get a jewelers glass/eyepiece and look at my own jewelry before I go as well. Or, take a piece with me for comparison (for example wear my tanzanite ring if I know I am going to look at tanzanite).

As for stones unique to an area...we were in Punta Cana this past winter and I bought Larimar there because that is where it comes from (Dominican Republic). I bought one piece at the resort...a nice ring. But then we were in a less touristy place at a really nice jewelers and I found another ring that I really liked and bought it. When I got back to the resort and compared the two it was obvious the one from the jeweler was much better quality (the stone/s). (On a side note, we were in Bar Harbor Maine a few weeks ago and Larimar was everywhere...LOL).

Thanks all for the feedback...really appreciate all the input!

And yes...I will probably still go to the presentation....can't pass up a chance to win something for free. LOL

 

[valee]

Since you are anticipating buying jewelry, I'd recommend doing research before your cruise on the reputations of jewelry stores at your ports of call. For example, I just Googled "Nassau jewelry store" and see a link to a Tripadvisor review saying "Dont buy from Diamonds International" which appears to be a store recommended by Royal Carribean.

It's pretty easy to do a little research before trips to see what souvenirs are representative of the area, so you're not buying Delft china in Italy and glass figures in the Netherlands. I don't think I"ll be getting any emeralds in Cartegena, but may indulge in "Jewelry made of gold with pre-Columbian designs is also traditional and beautiful, as well as the filigree technique in silver famous of Mompox."

I've found the research gives me price ranges, tips on spotting fakes, and whether price negotiations are common.

 

[Michellynn]

Since you are anticipating buying jewelry, I'd recommend doing research before your cruise on the reputations of jewelry stores at your ports of call. For example, I just Googled "Nassau jewelry store" and see a link to a Tripadvisor review saying "Dont buy from Diamonds International" which appears to be a store recommended by Royal Carribean.
.

Yeah, it is a little disturbing to see how many complaints there are out there for Diamonds International. ALL over the internet.