My husband & I will be taking our first cruise & landing in St. Thomas on 12-3. It's our 35th anniversary & I'd love to find a nice diamond ring for the occasion. Can anyone recommend any reputable jewelry stores? Are the prices there really as good as they say? I'd really appreciate any input. Thanks!

Prices are ok but not great. There are a lot of reputable jewelry stores, most of which are mentioned in our St. Thomas shopping section on this site. Little Switzerland and Colombian Emeralds are two of the most prominent, and I don't know that it matters all that much where you shop in terms of prices. Hopefully someone who's shopped there more recently than I have can give you some mroe specific suggestions.

My wife has done much jewelery shopping in STT and her favorite place is Imperial Jewelers on Main Street. They have always been very fair with her and even replaced a stone from a ring she brought for me at no charge.

IMO many of the shops on main street are owned by the same familes. I have shopped at The Grand 7-8 times over the past 10-15 yrs and been very happy with the quality and the price. I've purchased at Imperial too. They are possibly owned by the same family, but I don't know, when I have asked they smile and change the subject! Always remember though, you get what you pay for. Check lots of the shops and find what you like. Then you can compare. Little Switzerlland also has a nice selection. Remember though that you have to deal a little bit. It''s all about making it good for you and good for them. Have fun.

I have dealt with Magnum Jewelers, Neil. It is a small store but he came highly recommended and I have gotten some beautiful stones. It is not your pushy huge store.

In my opinion, shopping for big ticket items in the Caribbean isn't worth it. I live in the New York area and have always been able to find better prices here in outlets or in the diamond district than in duty free shops in the Caribbean. For example, I once priced a watch at Macys in New York and it was about $800. I shopped around in the Bahamas and found it for about $600. Then, I came home and bought it in an outlet in New Jersey for about $350. I had a similar experience shopping for a digital camera.

If you are on RRCL they have extensive shopping talks and give you ideas of the most reputable stores. I have shopped at all of the stores mentioned so far and many others. I also like AH Riise for jewellery and watches. You do get what you pay for and negotiating is expected. Depending on where else your cruise is going you may also find some good shops. I love shopping in St. Thomas and St. Martin wouldn't miss it! I'll be there over Thanksgiving week. Happy hunting!

Do your homework before you leave. Find a ring that you like in a jewelery store in your area. Make note of the quality of the diamonds and price. Use that as a guide when you look at shops in St Thomas.I've had good luck at Artistic and Devine Jewelers. They have pieces that no one else has. The "chain" stores like Little Switzerland,Columbian Emeralds, and Diamonds International all carry what I call "cookie cutter" rings as well as very expensive high quality items. Just be careful and look at the craftsmanship of the piece compared to what you can get in the states. If a deal seems to good to be true, it probably is.

Thank you all so much for your input. I appreciate it all.

Loose diamonds and other gem stones (not set) are totallly duty free. You can bring it home and have it put into your own setting but shop carefully and educate yourself about diamonds. The more you know and can compare to comprable stateside stones is helpful but that is difficult to do given the variables that determine a diamond's "value" but it might help you haggle. I have done much of my jewelry shopping in HStern as it also has a store that is convenient for me in NYC (and they do offer a "trade up" policy) but others have recommended Imperal Jewelers. Tiffany owned the Little Switzerland chain but they may have sold it.
You really buy it because you like it and will enjoy wearing it.