Jacey1971 Posted November 15, 2014 #26 Share Posted November 15, 2014 I bought diamond huggie earrings in the Caribbean and later found out I did NOT get a good deal at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted November 15, 2014 #27 Share Posted November 15, 2014 Your best deals would be in St Maarten. With that said sometimes you are just best to purchase jewelry at home so that you can take your time with the purchase and so that if there are any issues you can followup with the jewelry store. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteTraveler Posted November 15, 2014 #28 Share Posted November 15, 2014 I looked at a men's diamond ring at a certain diamonds store in the Caribbean that was $6,000. A month or so later, I was with a good friend when she selected and purchased the same ring in from a local jewelry store for her fiancé. Here it was $2,000. No way would I waste my money or time trying to buy from the Caribbean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hartskys Posted November 15, 2014 Author #29 Share Posted November 15, 2014 Thanks everyone, great information and I have decided to keep looking at home and not take a chance. You all have been great help. :) Now, to find a ring.. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donray Posted November 15, 2014 #30 Share Posted November 15, 2014 Los Angles jewelry district. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ2002 Posted November 15, 2014 #31 Share Posted November 15, 2014 We bought a nice watch in the Caribbean many years ago. We thought we got a good deal on it, and it was before the proliferation of the internet, so I wasn't able to easily price compare once I returned. Today, I would not make a jewelry purchase away from home unless you had a very specific item in mind, and had some prices in hand from local stores before you made the purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iancal Posted November 15, 2014 #32 Share Posted November 15, 2014 (edited) We would never buy good jewelry (not watches) in the Caribbean-or in a shopping center at home for that matter. First off, we know absolutely nothing about diamonds or gemstones. Or, at least not enough to match wits with a jewelry store where the salespeople are pros and work primarily on commission. We would not know if what we were told was true and once the boat has sailed, well it is game over. As others have said, the 'appraisal' is a meaningless piece of paper designed to make you buy. Stop for a moment and think...is it really possible that jewelry stores can sell you product at 50, 60, 70 percent discounts. If the answer is yes, then there must really be a tooth fairy. You may score the odd good buy. These people play on your emotions and on the fact that you are only in port for several hours. You will get a far better buy at home from places like Costco, Blue Saphire, or a small local jeweler. Edited November 15, 2014 by iancal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rvsullivan Posted November 15, 2014 #33 Share Posted November 15, 2014 For any of those getting appraised values after you come home. Just ask the jeweler after he/she gives you the insurance value for your item, will they buy it from you for that price. Watch the shocked look on their face just before they tell you no way! DI and the others are a rip off, just take a brief look online at the problems. Buy at home from a local/reputable jeweler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted November 15, 2014 #34 Share Posted November 15, 2014 For any of those getting appraised values after you come home. Just ask the jeweler after he/she gives you the insurance value for your item, will they buy it from you for that price. Watch the shocked look on their face just before they tell you no way! DI and the others are a rip off, just take a brief look online at the problems.Buy at home from a local/reputable jeweler. Well why would a jeweler buy and item at the face value since there would be no profit to be made. :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyDawg Posted November 15, 2014 #35 Share Posted November 15, 2014 Well why would a jeweler buy and item at the face value since there would be no profit to be made. :confused: A good socialist jeweler would. :D But of course there are no socialist jewelers around anymore. They all went out of business.:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted November 15, 2014 #36 Share Posted November 15, 2014 A good socialist jeweler would. :D But of course there are no socialist jewelers around anymore. They all went out of business.:eek: LOL. :D But.........::eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted November 15, 2014 #37 Share Posted November 15, 2014 A good socialist jeweler would. :D But of course there are no socialist jewelers around anymore. They all went out of business.:eek: LOL....... right. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPacificbound Posted November 15, 2014 #38 Share Posted November 15, 2014 Simply put, I would not buy jewelery anywhere outside the US. Go to Costco if you have one near. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awhfy Posted November 15, 2014 #39 Share Posted November 15, 2014 I've bought rings at Milano in St Thomas, & Ballerina in St Maarten both appraised at home for considerably more than I paid for them. All depends on what you're looking for & how much time you're willing to spend. This was the past two years Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimicaj Posted November 16, 2014 #40 Share Posted November 16, 2014 The island that you live on. Too many things can go wrong. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceMuzz Posted November 16, 2014 #41 Share Posted November 16, 2014 Manhattan Island is a far better and safer place to buy diamonds than any island in the Caribbean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veryseasonedtraveler Posted November 16, 2014 #42 Share Posted November 16, 2014 (edited) Buyer beware. Go to Diamonds International problems on internet. Interesting reading. I personally have lots to say about the quality of what we bought at DI. Edited November 16, 2014 by veryseasonedtraveler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gumdrop44 Posted November 16, 2014 #43 Share Posted November 16, 2014 We bought ours on st.thomas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gumdrop44 Posted November 16, 2014 #44 Share Posted November 16, 2014 St thomas or st martin. My engagement ring is from st thomas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ithaca gal Posted November 16, 2014 #45 Share Posted November 16, 2014 So glad to see the OP is going to buy locally. One, it is great to support local companies and two, it probably is a much safer way to purchase jewelry. Now I can forget about this thread and go back to searching others. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggo11 Posted November 16, 2014 #46 Share Posted November 16, 2014 Manhattan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schittenden Posted November 16, 2014 #47 Share Posted November 16, 2014 Bluenile.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skandls Posted November 16, 2014 #48 Share Posted November 16, 2014 I got my GIA diamond from Costco - regular jewelers could not come close to the price for the quality of my stone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkymom Posted November 16, 2014 #49 Share Posted November 16, 2014 Does anyone buy on the ship during these trips? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted November 16, 2014 #50 Share Posted November 16, 2014 People buy items on board ships too but just like in the islands you really have to know what you want and often you do better buying the items at home at your local jeweler. keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now