Tanzanite and diamonds

[passion4healing]

My fiance (soon to be wife) and I will be celebrating our honeymoon on the Caribbean Princess-Eastern Caribbean on 6/26.

I want to buy for her a tanzanite/diamond ring. Does anyone know of a good place to get high quality jewels on St. Martin?

Thanks in advance!

--Marc (and Pam)

Favorite Cruise Dest: Mulholland Highway and PCH.

[howard6933]

Since you're going to the Eastern Caribbean,
I imagine that you'll be stopping at St Thomas
and St Maarten. There are so many places to get
diamonds or tanzanite that it will make your head spin. Both islands have Diamonds International and Tanzanite International as
well as Colombian Emeralds and Little Switzerland. Also, on St Thomas they have Cardow's that has everything at all prices.
Spend some time in a lot of places until you
find exactly what you want and how much you
want to spend. DO NOT be afraid to bargain.
By that I mean when the clerk gives you a price
for an item you like, ask her if they can do
any better. In most cases you'll get a better
price, and if you still don't like it, walk out.
Sometimes they'll call you back with still a
better price. It's like a game, but most times
you'll do very well for yourself. Good luck.

[cruisingfreak]

Kays in St. Maarten, has good prices on diamonds. There jewelry is beautiful.


Minette

[caribcruzin]

I have always bought Tanzanite in St. Thomas....much better prices than St. Martin

~~~~~~JUDY~~~~~~

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[nancyrg]

In St Martin I shop at Majesty jewelers-ask for Max-he will give you a very fair price.
In St Thomas I shop at Grand jewelers-ask for Leena.
Both have beautiful jewelry & very good prices.
Have a great trip!

Nancy

[S.S.Oceanlover]

has anyone heard of Ballerinas? If so any opinions?

Bill

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Caribbean Princess Eastern Caribbean cruise page (http://home.comcast.net/~w.coleman43)

[Sheila56]

Kays in St Maarten. Ask for Archie. I bought a beautiful tanzanite/diamond ring there in 2003.

My best cruise is the next one I have booked!

[sunnyv]

Kays gets my vote in St Martin also. Great family owned store with unique pieces and great prices.

I have read many posts recently that say St Martin has been better than St Thomas in the shopping department (just the opposite 5 years ago)

Vicki

12/26/04 Caribbean Princess to Eastern Caribbean
Princess Star 8/03 Alaska
Princess Coral 3/03 Panama
Disney's Wonder 12/01 Bahama's
RCC Majesty of the Seas 11/99 Southern Caribbean

[learning to fly]

i found the jewelry selection to be much better in saint thomas.

i actually bought a diamond and tanzanite ring in 14k white gold from cardow in saint thomas, and i would recommend shopping there in a heartbeat.

i got a beautiful ring for a great price!

-Meagan

[CRUZGAL53]

We bought Tanzinite and diamond jewelry in St Maarteen (on Front) Street...the name is Royal Jewelers and they were highly recommended to us by friends who have used them for years. The son (I can't remember his name I think Victor)owns this store...his parents Harry & Nita own Nita's Jewelry in St Thomas on Drakes Passage. We found that if you go to St Maarteen first you will get better prices since they know you are going to St Thomas

[tapper]

Marc
When my husband and I were in St. Thomas, I was referred by several friends to Charming Jewelers. I purchased a most beautiful tanzanite and diamond ring at a VERY good price.
They are not as large as Diamonds International etc. but they will negotiate a price. They are located in Drakes Passage.

[coiran]

If you are going to buy jewelry in the Carib - be sure to buy from a Princess authorized house - that way if you don't get real stuff Princess will stand behind it - My wife is a jewelry nut and claims she can beat Carib prices on anything in our small resort town of Oscoda, MI.

NCL PRIDE OF AMERICA Oct. 2004
SUN PRINCESS 2004 Caribbean
REGAL PRINCESS 2003 Europe
GOLDEN PRINCESS 2002 Canada New England
SUN PRINCESS 2002 Panama Canal
SUN PRINCESS 2002 Mexico
DAWN PRINCESS 2001 Caribbean
DAWN PRINCESS 2001 Caribbean
SEA PRINCESS 2001 Alaska
REGAL PRINCESS 2000 Mexico
REGAL PRINCESS 1999 Panama Canal
PACIFIC PRINCESS 1999 Europe
SUN PRINCESS 1998 Caribbean
ROYAL PRINCESS 1996 Panama Canal

We bought some really unusual and pretty jewelry at Ammolite by the Sea - they are the only ones who have ammolite in St. Thomas and their selection seems to be the largest anywhere.

Talk to the store manager (Diane) she knew her stuff.

[seastar2]

Also try RH Sterns, in St thomas..they have a large store in NYC which is good if repairs etc are need...Have bought set and loose stones from them. No duty on unset stones, then have a ring made at home... http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Cunard Vistiford 1991,1993
Cunard Princess 1992
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Island Princess 2004

[Italy52]

roverix We also purchased jewelry at Ammolite by the Sea. We bought a pair of earings and matching pendant. I always like to get something unusual on my trips to the Caribbean. Fell in love with the selection and found the staff both helpful and friendly. Also, the stones are supposed to be good luck and in tune with "Fung Swei." Know I probably spelled the word wrong. Our purchase also came with a guarantee so if anything goes wrong, we can get it fixed. That to me is peace of mind when I make a purchase. Going to Las Vegas this weekend and plan on wearing the pieces for good luck. Hope they work their magic. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[dimonzr4me]

I buy all my jewelry at Ballerinas in St. Marten, Kenny has always been my salesman. I have a number of Tanzanite pieces. My daughters friend manages a jewelry store here and she said 1 of the pieces I
bought from ballerinas would appraise for more than the price I paid for 3 pieces. They also have a stateside service center, but I have never needed to use it.

4/9 2005 Dawn Princess
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[LovetheSea]

Before you buy the ring look at it through a jewelry loop. I bought a Tanzanite Diamond ring and didn't notice until I was on the plane home that several stones were loose. I took it to my jeweler when I got home an he said most of the prongs were misshapen or missing! It cost me a lot of money to fix. I was really mad at myself for not inspecting it more closely. It was very obvious when you looked at the ring through a loop. Also if you have it sized check to make sure they didn't loosen the stones when they were working on it.
Good Luck. They have beautiful jewelry in the Caribbean! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[juliethecruiser]

I totally agree with LovetheSea's suggestion about looking at the piece of jewerly through a loop. I bought a ring, Tanzanite & Diamonds, from Diamonds International's store in St. Maarten. When I got back to the states, I took my ring to a local gemologist. He confirmed that what I bought and what was on the receipt was the same, I got what I paid for, however, one of the diamonds had a chip in the corner of it. I would have been able to see this if I had looked really good at the stones, with a loop. The ring still appraised at 2 1/2 times what I paid for it, so I feel I still got a great deal, however, I would have asked for the diamond to be replaced or asked for an additional discount off the price if I had caught the chip before I purchased it.

I love the ring and had looked for this particular setting for 3 years. I found it and am very happy with my purchase.

Another quick tip. If you really want a good deal, don't buy the item early in the day. I found my ring around 11 a.m. and negoitated the price down to what I felt was a good deal. I wanted to take some time to think about it, so I walked around shopping for souvenirs. I went back, 15 mins. before the store closed, to get another look at the ring so I could make up my mind and low and behold it was now 1/2 the price it was after all my negotiations at 11 a.m. Well, I had to buy it and I'm so glad I waited.

Happy cruising everyone.

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12/13/2003 Golden Princess

[Aquarian]

I bought my Tanzanite and Diamond ring from Kelly at Joe's Jewelry in St. Maarten. The jeweler at home said the diamonds were of very good quality.

[passion4healing]

Hello everyone. Pam and I loved all of your replies

Anyone else have recommendations? Thanks so much!

Favorite Cruise Dest: Mulholland Highway and PCH.

[hendey47]

Bought many pieces fom Kay's in St Martin. Very satisfied, Price and quality excellent. Make sure you ask for Archie. Family owned store and they have another store in Aruba.

9/25/04 CARIBBEAN PRINCESS
10/31/04 STAR PRINCESS
12/04/04 CARIBBEAN PRINCESS
01/02/05 STAR PRINCESS

[marlinmike]

Any good places on the Western Caribbean cruise for Tanzanite & Diamonds?

[cflutist]

Any good places on the Western Caribbean cruise for Tanzanite & Diamonds?
Here is another thread that one should read before buying jewelry in the Caribbean:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=37545&page=1&pp=40

[Northender]

We also use Kays on Front St. They have two locations. We are very pleased with all our purchases from them. Sam is the person we deal with. They stand behind the product. If you are not satisfied with your appraisal you can contact them and they will ask you to return and do a refund. Of course, it has to be within a reasonable amount of time. Check them out. You don't have to buy if you don't like.