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Re: Engagment Ring
[Re: Speebs]
#156087
03/05/2018 10:30 AM
03/05/2018 10:30 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,567 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,567
Ohio
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Regardless of where you buy, do your homework ahead of time and know what approximate costs should be for what your are looking for. If you buy on the island, I would only do so from a store that has a relationship with a US based repair facility. I personally know Caribbean Gems and Ora Diamante do as they are sister stores and we have purchased from them and when needed had repairs done through their US based affiliates. I am sure there are other store that have the same arrangement and that is something I would want.
You will for sure save on tax and often jewelry is a much better deal on the island but I would do come comparison shopping at home also.
J.D.
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Re: Engagment Ring
[Re: Speebs]
#156088
03/05/2018 10:30 AM
03/05/2018 10:30 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,022 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Central Florida!
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Why do you want to buy it in SXM? If the reason is to save money, my understanding is that the prices are not that much different than in the U.S. If you buy it in the U.S. presumably where you buy it will size it for free and ultimately if there are any issues, it would be easier to have it handled in the states, although several of the SXM jewelers have US service centers. So if the only reason to buy in SXM is to save money, I wouldn't bother. However, if you both have a big connection to SXM and it will be a sweet memory for you for years to come, that you bought it in SXM, then by all means, buy in SXM. You'll have to pay for the sizing in the US, but you should have no problem getting it done. I somehow managed to lose the diamond out of my engagement ring a few years ago, so we replaced it in SXM. I have a lot of jewelry, including costume jewelry, that I love even more because they were bought in SXM or on a cruise.
Carol Hill
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Re: Engagment Ring
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#156092
03/05/2018 10:50 AM
03/05/2018 10:50 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,567 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,567
Ohio
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Carol makes very valid points and should be considered in your decision. With gold being a worldwide commodity, the pricing of that is not going to be much different. You will likely see a variance in pricing and markup of diamonds, cost of doing business, tax and duty, etc. It is all a mute point though if both of you are not happy with your purchase, regardless of where you make it.
Again, do your homework well before looking at anything on the island.
J.D.
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Re: Engagment Ring
[Re: Speebs]
#156109
03/05/2018 02:22 PM
03/05/2018 02:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,146 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,146
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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I am of a different opinion here. I would definitely buy it in SXM and would prefer DK Gems on Front Street. I have purchased several pieces of jewellery on the island and all were appraised much higher both in the USA and Canada. One ring purchased for $1300 in SXM was appraised at $5000 at home . That is a significant difference! If you know the ring size you need, the ring can be resized at no cost from your SXM jeweller. They also have a repair place in New York if you encounter any problems in the future. Contact Jeff at DK Gems and he will be happy to satisfy your jewellery requests. Congratulations on the upcoming engagement!
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Re: Engagment Ring
[Re: chelea]
#156119
03/05/2018 02:54 PM
03/05/2018 02:54 PM
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,376
SXMWendell
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,376
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Re: Engagment Ring
[Re: chelea]
#156151
03/05/2018 10:01 PM
03/05/2018 10:01 PM
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 42 N42.8 W78.8
sxmParrotfish
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 42
N42.8 W78.8
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What if she doesn't care for the ring you choose...it might be more difficult to exchange for something she prefers if the ring was purchased in SXM. If she says she doesn't care for the ring you chose, don't marry her. She's not the right girl. 😎 As for the purchase , I bought in St Maarten and had no issues. Diamonds International but there are many to choose from in Phillipsburgh of good repute. Good luck!
Last edited by sxmParrotfish; 03/05/2018 10:02 PM.
Formerly " Parrotfish" approx join date .. sometime in 2001 SXM lover since 1999...
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Re: Engagment Ring
[Re: Speebs]
#156180
03/06/2018 08:47 AM
03/06/2018 08:47 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,567 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,567
Ohio
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Thanks for all the good advice, I will use it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doing my comparison shopping on line. I did meet my fiancée in Saint Martin. If you have any local jewelry stores, I would do some in-person shopping as there might be some room to negotiate there also. Online shopping is a valid tool but I would not rely on it alone.
J.D.
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Re: Engagment Ring
[Re: Speebs]
#156184
03/06/2018 09:05 AM
03/06/2018 09:05 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,628 Southern Maryland suburbs of D...
Bill_S
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,628
Southern Maryland suburbs of D...
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We also highly recommend DK Gems! When you find a ring you like look at the price tag and then ask "what is the price after the TTOL discount?"
The salesperson will whip out a calculater, punch in some numbers, and you will be amazed when they show you the rock bottom no-haggle price. No negotiations, just a bottom line price.
They also have a New York City operation which can handle repairs, exchanges, etc.
Another nice thing about DK Gems is that they record every piece of jewelry you purchase and if you decide to "upgrade" any item to to a more expensive piece they will buy back that early purchase for what you paid and subtract that amount from the bottom line price of the new item. You probably would not do that with an engagement ring, but it applies to everything they sell.
Last edited by Bill_S; 03/06/2018 09:19 AM.
Bill
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Re: Engagment Ring
[Re: RI Bob C]
#156193
03/06/2018 10:48 AM
03/06/2018 10:48 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,022 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,022
Central Florida!
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Do understand though that insurance appraisals on jewelry are generally MUCH higher than what the article can actually be purchased for.
Carol Hill
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Re: Engagment Ring
[Re: Speebs]
#156370
03/08/2018 04:30 PM
03/08/2018 04:30 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,655 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,655
Brookfield, CT.
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Speeds
To add to the suggestions and recommendations you’ve already received, we have been dealing with Caribbean Gems since they first opened their doors on SXM in 1983 and to date, through more purchases than I want to think about, we’ve never been disappointed.
It’s interesting to me we’ve seen three generations running CG and they have been selling quality items to three generations of our family. Kind of neat......
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Engagment Ring
[Re: Speebs]
#156378
03/08/2018 05:21 PM
03/08/2018 05:21 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,094 Ewing, NJ
AnnandSteve
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,094
Ewing, NJ
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I agree with Island Gem, we have purchased quite a few pieces in SXM and I love them all. Prices were MUCH better in SXM than in the US. We have used Sam Karani , wife Debbie, at the cruise terminal store, at Kay's for years. We also have heard nothing but high praise for DK Gems and Jeff is definitely the go to person there. If you have her ring size, definitely get in SXM. Buy up a half size, easy to take down a size.. I have purchased many pieces for friends and the appraisal value in US is ALWAYS higher
Ann & Steve
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Re: Engagment Ring
[Re: Speebs]
#156402
03/08/2018 11:21 PM
03/08/2018 11:21 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 243 Ontario, Canada
CanadianCutie
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Traveler
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Posts: 243
Ontario, Canada
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Speeds, unless you really have a good knowledge of diamonds, I would hesitate buying in St Maarten. My opinion may not be very popular but in my experience, St Maarten has some beautiful jewelry but not always the best quality. Do you know the differences between the various certificates, diamond grading, table numbers, crown and pavilion angles, depth numbers etc? Diamond cutting is a science and art. It is easy to be taken advantage of and yes, I know you all have your favourite stores. I have been to many of them and saw the garbage they were trying to sell as high quality diamonds and was very disappointed. Get on pricescope.com and get some diamond knowledge. Check with their online vendors and see what diamond of the quality and size you are happy with are currently prices at. I ended up picking a diamond from a store call Good Old Good from New York. The diamonds available in SXM could not compete with what they had in NY.
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Re: Engagment Ring
[Re: Speebs]
#156520
03/10/2018 07:22 PM
03/10/2018 07:22 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 48
SunNSand
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 48
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IMHO something like an engagement ring should be purchased in the U.S.
Last edited by SunNSand; 03/10/2018 07:22 PM.
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