TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Jewelry

Whichjewelry store would you recommend in Philipsburg for a diamond or diamond ring?

Do your homework ahead of time so you know what you are looking at. We use Caribbean Gems.

We have always used ballerinas on front street. Very satisfied with service and quality.

Have had excellent relationship with DK Gems including maintenance years after buying.

I've been doing business annually with Caribbean Gems on Front Street since they opened their first store in 1983. We are on our third generation of purchasers and they are on their third generation of employees/owners. Typically we deal with Manu and sometimes his eldest son, whose name sounds like Assaahn, but I know that's NOT the correct spelling.

We've purchased quite a few pieces of diamond merchandise, both loose stones and set pieces over the years and have always been well satisfied.

That said, you have to know that everyone who has gone more than once has their own favorites and we all think ours is the best. I, on the other hand, know this to be true!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> Just kidding - the best is the one who can provide you with the right merchandise at the right price and make you feel both comfortable and happy with the deal. Good luck and happy shopping! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Manu's son goes by "Ace" from what I recall..

Jae...at Shiva's. Best selection and value on island!!!

Another vote for DK Gems - as several above have said, each of us has our favorite & DK Gems is ours!!

We have been going to Ray's Jewelry for a long time and always had a good service and we were always satisfied with our purchases !Even when I had some problem with a diamond ring, they offered to repare it or trade it for another one !They have good price and make sure you are a happy customer !

We always go to Ray's and have been very pleased. Have purchased several pieces there over the past few years and have never had a problem. There are two locations on Front st. We always go to the furthest one down past McDonald's. You won't be disappointed.

DK Gems for sure. Great prices, great selection, and very friendly, non-pushy customer service. They keep records of everything you purchase and if you come back in future years and want to trade in your earlier item for a bigger/brighter/different/whatever item they give you your full original purchase price as a credit towards the new purchase...no matter how long you have had it.

Everything we have purchased there appraised at 2x to 3x what we paid when we have them analyzed here in the US when we get home.

Make sure you ask for the "TTOL discount"! The price on the tag is ->considerably<- higher than what you will wind up paying after applying that discount...

Ballerina, next to the Court House, is my favorite. Kenny always knows what I like and have never been disappointed. They stand behind what they sell and also do trade ups. Would highly recommend them.

Jewels in Paradise offer great jewelery & great customer service with great prices at 43 A front street. they also will take trade ins & if there ever is a problem after you get back home they have a place in New York to take care of the problem. I personally have not had any problem but it is much easier sending something to New York than St. Maarten.
Enjoy your purchase wherever you decide to go.

cranan,

So far you've been given a lot of good options in purchasing a piece of fine jewelry, and for each one you've gotten there are probably 10-15 stores not mentioned so let me add to the commentary and perhaps the confusion. There are more jewelry stores than beaches on this island just for starters.

Most of the better known and more widely used stores will have Stateside affiliates who will handle service for them.

Most if not all of the stores will offer the chilled beer, wine or champagne - depending on the size of the potential sale - or libation of your choice.

Most of the better shops will keep good records and allow trade-ins and trade-ups on potential sales.

The prices displayed on the items in question are NOT the prices you should be paying and this is where doing your homework before buying comes in. Have a good idea of what you want to purchase and what the price at home might be. Learn about the Cs of diamond buying.

Most diamonds purchased on the island will appraise much higher at home, generally 2-3 times or more, but know what those appraisals stand for.

This is just a quick guide to island buying and includes only the very basics but the bottom line for any jewelry purchase, IMHO, should be that the buyer know about what he's dealing in and purchase from an informed position.

The bottom line, in the end, has to be if you're happy with the item and the deal, and if you aren't, that's a good time to walk away and rethink or get prices elsewhere to compare. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Very well stated and 100% accurate.

DK Gems and Jeff, great prices and appraisals, wonderful service!

Thank you All!!!! I knew I would get good advice on this little adventure we are about to partake.

Thanks, Again!

Cranan74

Without a doubt, I would highly recommend Jewelry Boutique on front street. They are owned by the same people who own Ballerina.
You have received some good advice here. Working with a store that has a US office is important. If you need a repair, you don't want to have to wait until you return to the island next time.
If you go to the Jewelry Boutique, ask for Ronnie. He will not be pushy and will answer all of your questions.
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All good advice. I would add Shopper's Haven on Front Steet as another store we have been very satisfied with. One other piece of advice--negotiate, negotiate, negotiate. The price first quoted is almost never the price they will eventually accept. And don't be afraid to make an offer as long as it is a reasonable one. Good luck!

I think it depends on what you are buying. If you are thinking of buying a loose diamond, I would seriously consider going on the Pricescope.com website for information. There is a huge amount of education available on that website and also can link you to vendors in the US. You can at least put into the search engine what you are looking for and price compare what you are looking at in the US vs SXM.
I researched diamonds quite extensively for my purchase and was quite shocked at the difference in quality that is available. Certain certifications are better than others. I would only buy a diamond that is GIA or AGS certified. The rest are pretty much garbage and in all honesty and can be wayyyyyyy off. Just remember that your most important of the 4C's is cut. Look up table and depth numbers that are required for an ideal cut diamond. Bad cut equals no sparkle.
I could go on all night about this but please do your research ahead of time. I ultimately bought my diamond in New York over the internet since the quality and price just could't be found in SXM that I wanted. Yes, before people have a crap fit over buying on the internet, you have 30 days for a full money back guarantee if you are not happy or your appraisal is not what you were hoping for. My appraiser asked me where the hell I got such a great quality diamond. Just do your research ahead of time!