kelliebellie

My mother-in-law loves to jewelry shop in the Caribbean. We've been to Aruba, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman. She likes to buy her jewelry from Indian store owners because of their connections to where the jewels are mined.

We are thinking of going this Christmas. Where should we go that has the required shopping, but yet is family friendly for the little kids?

doug_stallings

I can't see that it matters much if this is your sole criteria. The Caribbean is awash with jewelry stores. Perhaps St. Maarten?

kelliebellie

I should add that she likes very high quality, but she has to feel she's getting a deal.

doug_stallings

I must tell you in all honesty that I feel there are no real deals on gold jewelry anymore, whether you are in the Caribbean or anywhere. The price of gold is far too high. You can get some decent prices on watches, but that's about it. Of course, that's just my opinion. I'd love to hear from someone who is more of a shopper for jewelry in the Caribbean.

KVR

Though we are not big jewelry shoppers, St. Thomas has tons of jewelry stores.

We just returned from Cancun and my husband purchased a diamond anniversary band for me at one of the shops in the Las Isla Mall. I felt we got a good deal. We've been to many destinations and that was the first time we ever bought a piece of jewerly.

kelliebellie

She is more into jewels than gold. Diamonds, rubies, sapphires, etc.

I've been thinking about St. Thomas.

MP07950

She'll get her fill of the jewelry stores in St. Thomas, but I've truthfully been very wary of them. I can't stand the guys standing in front of the stores and the lanes yelling at people to come into the store. The stores are always very brightly lit and I've found the sales people very aggressive. You can bargain with them, so it will help if she has info on costs at home. We got to St. John every year and the only place I buy jewelry these days is at RI Patons in St. John. They design and make many of their pieces.

luvtotravl

Check out Grand Cayman. Our experience matches your expectations.

CaribbeanSoul

Dynasty Jewelers on St. Thomas is fantastic. My parents have made some very sizable purchases at their Havensight location. I have made a purchase there, as well, and have been extremely satisfied. All well below prices for equivalant jewelry in the states or elsewhere.
tel. 800/225-7052

kelliebellie

Thanks!

jimar1

Jewelry making is my hobbie.. I, make waxes,cast,etc...
To often I have ladies bring in stones which they have aquired for little to nothing in St. Thomas!!
They are generally nice color,clearity, etc... BUT.. they are not calibrated!!!.. settings come in exact sizes (5x3, 6x8,etc).. Tooo many of the stones are not calibrated in size and therefore will have to have setting 'custom made' in order to use them...NOT CHEAP!!!... for example, a ring wax(required for casting) can cost $100.00 up..plus casting,polishing, etc...
so, before buying a stone.. aquire a listing of the calibrated sizes for all shapes...Shop wisely..
Jimar1

TPAYT

I like the shop on the harbor in St. John. Have bought some nice things there.

I think the sales girl is from Boston. Just kidding, Kenny Chesney has a song about that----"Sheeeeeeeee's from Boston"

bajangirl

S Maarten is well known for quality jewelry at "good" prices.

Diana

St Thomas - AH Riise
Cancun, Cozumel - Diamonds Int'l, Columbian Emeralds
Jamaica - Ocho Rios (lots of Indian-owned stores)

Been all over the region jewelry shopping, and I agree STT is the place for both sheer volume and price.

wildlifepainter

I LOVE jewelry shopping in St Thomas and it is mainly because of the sheer volume, variety and of course prices. I always look for the unusual and I have to say I usually find something here year after year (and we do go every year). With the economy the way it is you should find some great deals. We always visit James at Ballerina Jewelry (they have a huge repeat crowd) but I’ve had good luck in a lot of the stores.

Be sure and stop in at “the 19th Hole” and have a Bushwhacker. (It’s located somewhere in the middle of the main shopping street at the entrance to one of the arcade alleys – ask anyone.) Gene and Harriet are our favorite people on the island and are a wealth of information. They can give you advice on what to do, where to eat, and of course where to shop.

mnag

Agree with St Thomas. I got a great price on a really good quality diamond pendant.

suze

(this thread is 8 years old, i'm sure they've gone on their trip by now!)

mnag

oh boy not sure why it started showing up as a current thread

suze

mnag~~ See where it says "comment has been removed by Fodor's moderators" above, after the long-ago last post?

That means someone posted spam or advertising that brought it back to the top, that the editors removed, but the thread stays to the top for whatever reason.

kind regards, Suze

kelliebellie

I think we ended up in St. Maartin for this trip!