Any tips on buying jewlery in St. Martin? I'm not a big jewlery hound but would like to purchase a piece or two while there this year. Is it better to buy loose stones? Thanks for your help.

I would suggest shopping around on Front Street in Phillipsburg. No need to buy the stones loose as most of the jewelers there are reputable. I have personally used AMA Jewelers for years.

Have fun.

pegoode,

I would recommend doing your shopping form St Thomas as there is about 10-20% price difference that we noticed between the two islands. We were thinking it would be cheaper in St Maarten, but it was the other way

njwiz- when were you in St Martin and St Thomas for your price comparison??? recently???

Reason I am asking , is I will be there next month and when we took our last cruise, St Martin was way cheaper than St Thomas and I always go to Cardows or AH Riise in St Thomas for jewelry--but St Martin killed them by a landslide..

I was just wondering if things have changed and what kinds of jewelry you were purchasing...I am not talking about the small little trinket souvenier- but special jewelry like for an anniversary....Any help will be appreciated...

pegoode-do NOT buy loose stones unless you really KNOW the jeweler..
My hubs got an awesome watch in St Martin that he says he saved 45% on versus US prices....and he was doing a rain dance...I got an AWESOME triangular curt Tanzanite with diamonds that is GORGEOUS...very deep color- paid a lot , but it was still WAY WAY cheaper than US prices..All this was purchased in St Martin as the quality was great, the selections were too numerous to mention ( even in 1 store!! ) and the savings were too good to pass up...

pegoode doesn't mention that he/she will be on St Thomas, but I agree with njwiz as far as buying there goes.

The selection and prices on St Thomas are the best I've ever seen - much, much better than St Martin.

But Statia knows her stuff, and if you are going to only be on St Martin pegoode, you can take her advice to the bank!

Thanks all. No I will not be in St. Thomas and I don't know much about jewlery. I have some friends who bought tanzanite rings two years ago in St. Martin and were told when they got home that they did get good deals but the settings were not of good quality. so, I thought loose stones might be the thing to do. Any particular store that you all favor?

What a nice comment, Diana. Thank you.

While not the expert on SXM, I have lived 35 miles away for 10+ years and have spent more than my fair share of time there. Usually, for necessity more than pleasure, unfortunately. It's like "going into town" for we outer island folks.

Pegoode, as I suggested earlier, most jewelry retailers on Front Street in Phillipsburg, as well as in Marigot, are reputable, but you still have to watch out for yourself. I, as well as many family and friends, have bought from AMA Jewelers for many years and have always been pleased. I will add, however, that I abhor Phillipsburg and it's traffic, so I always buy from "Pradeep" at their airport location. A little name dropping couldn't hurt, though.

Good luck in your shopping expedition and have a great time!

Just stay away from DK Gems. They have just been found guilty of title infringement by allowing people to believe they are associated with Ti Tanzanite International. A person on a cruise openned the whole thing up. They believed that their purchase carried the Ti warranty and could be returned to Ti. This was not that case. Furthermore, since DK Gems is not at all associate Ti Tanzanite International, the cruise liine would not honor their guarantee.