First Tanzanite, now Zultanite. How many suckers are born every minute?

[newmexicoNita]

19 hours ago, graphicguy said:

The cruise ships do not own the jewelry stores on board or at the individual ports.  But, the same names keep popping up the cruise “jewelry consultant” recommends.  The biggest of these is obviously DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL.

 

Just like the art auctions (which are also not owned by the cruise companies but get big kickbacks on sales), you take the “special deal” coupons given to you by the jewelry consultant to get the free trinket and whatever else you buy, the consultant and the cruise lines get a cut from.

 

Again, if you find something you like, buy it if you really want it.  Don’t plan on getting a “deal”.

 

The other big downside, if something goes wrong with your watch or your jewelry, once you’re off the ship, you have to deal with whomever guaranteed your purchase by yourself.  Good luck sending your jewelry in for a repair to a cruise ship stores’ HQ to get a timely repair (vs driving to your nearest jewelry store at home to cover repair services).

 

 

thank you. I do not understand where that poster got the idea the cruise lines own the jewelry stores in port. 

[notes21]

Years ago, I started collecting jewelry, specifically pendants,  from my trips rather than t-shirts that could not fit in a year, etc.   This is often an inexpensive silver charm that reminds of the location but some nicer pieces have been purchased as well.  I follow the rule of if I love it and have the money for it then it is fine, but I do research ahead of time and learn what stones or jewelry pieces are unique to an area and some general price ranges.   Generally, I find better prices in places other than the ship, but on our Alaska cruise, they had some beautiful jade/silver pieces,  that I liked much better than the land stores and were better in price.   When I talk about land stores, I'm meaning local stores not the big chains such as Diamonds International's.   Was it worth it for me to buy it from them, absolutely!   I don't ever buy jewelry in my day to day life; so, it is something I enjoy doing on trips and having as a souvenir.  

 

Tanzanite is listed as one of the 10 most rare gemstones on almost every list I've seen due to it being from only one location.   The others will sometimes change, but unless it is a pink star diamond , the standard gems of diamond, ruby, sapphire, etc. that were mentioned in some previous posts don't make the list.   So, while buying it on the ship may be more expensive, etc., the claims about the stones being rare are not incorrect. 

[MotownVoice]

On 8/14/2019 at 7:45 AM, SeaShark said:

The real genius is how NCL got you to take the time to photograph it and then upload and publish that photo to CC so now there is a thread talking about it. Not only every cabin on the ship, but now people who aren't even on the ship are exposed...thanks to you.

 

That is free marketing 101.

Or, on the other hand, every one who is on a cruise or will go on a cruise who also happens to know to check in with CC before they go will know to ignore the sign on their door advertising Zultanite.

That's "The More You Know" 101.

 

[SeaShark]

6 minutes ago, MotownVoice said:

Or, on the other hand, every one who is on a cruise or will go on a cruise who also happens to know to check in with CC before they go will know to ignore the sign on their door advertising Zultanite.

That's "The More You Know" 101.

 

 

 

I'm sure that sounded good in your head...

 

However, reality indicates that you would first have to read the sign just to know that it is the one to ignore and by that point it is too late since you already read it.

 

In addition to reading it here.

 

Now you've missed the change to ignore it twice.

 

 

 

But take the overall population...then look at the small percentage that goes on cruises...out of that, look at the small percentage that goes to Cruise Critic...out of that, look at the small percentage who frequent the NCL forum...out of that, look at the small percentage that will read this thread (1,257 views so far, 20 million plus people cruise each year, so about 0.006%). BOY...what an impact this will have, amiright? 🙄

[MotownVoice]

7 minutes ago, SeaShark said:

 

I'm sure that sounded good in your head...

 

 

It looked even better now that you've brought it back up for me.

 

Edited August 15, 2019 by MotownVoice

[Jasonmom]

I'd like to add that there is a color changing stone (green to mauve) that is sold as zultinite in some of the shops in the Caribbean that is not the same.  I think they call it the sucker stone.  Bought one.  Most likely way overpaid.  But I love it.

[SeaShark]

5 minutes ago, MotownVoice said:

It looked even better now that you've brought it back up for me.

 

 

 

Proving, of course, that it is easy to get you to see it and impossible for you to ignore it.

 

Even though you were forewarned.

[MotownVoice]

3 minutes ago, SeaShark said:

Even though you were forewarned.

 

Edited August 15, 2019 by MotownVoice

[travelnap]

19 hours ago, Zippeedee said:

Tanzanite is a real gem, as noted above. People will believe anything though. I thought I was being helpful on another cruise site when a woman posted about the best ship to purchase Larimar. I mentioned seeing pieces on Overstock and Zulily among other discount sites. She was adamant that ship stones were different! better! exclusive!  Correct me if I'm wrong, but if it is genuine and the setting is real gold, silver, etc,  it is all the same rock.  

It is indeed the same rock, no matter where you buy it.  Larimar is a a pretty stone and found in the Dominican Republic.  While on a cruise there I did pick up a few pendants from the local craftsman for gifts.  They were simple pendants set in silver.  No fancy settings.  Since then I have purchased Larimar online, with better settings, and they were cheaper than what I paid the native craftsman, and much cheaper than what the cruise ships charge for basically the same setting.  

[travelnap]

12 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Seems kinda harsh. I’ve never purchased jewelry on a cruise ship but if I found something that I loved at a price point I’m willing to pay, I’d buy it be it called Tanzanite, Zultanite, Dynamite. I don’t think it makes me a sucker if I like it. 

I would agree with the exception of the dynamite.  Purchasing that could really blow up your jewelry box if you are not careful. LOL

[DirtyDawg]

I was in the retail jewellery business years ago. Let's just say that along with beauty, value is in the eyes of the beholder. And these eyes, who have seen the margins at various levels of the distribution chain for this business, see no value in purchasing most things from any 'jewellery' store in a tourist trap be it on or off a cruise ship. 

 

(Yes the saying is; 'in the eye of the beholder' but I'm a huge Guess Who fan. 😉)

 

Edited August 15, 2019 by DirtyDawg

[Warm Breezes]

OP I must be one of your suckers.  I purchased a tanzanite  ring on my Carnival Fantasy cruise in 2017 with my casino winnings and because I like it so much I purchased a matching tanzanite necklace on our NCL Getaway cruise last year.  Having said that I bought them because I liked them and the price was right.  Period.  I don't spend a lot of money on jewelry and I didn't on these pieces either.  It's not where I want to spend my money.  I've gotten lots of compliments on both since I purchased them and I spent less than $100 on each.  In fact I am wearing both my ring and necklace right now.  They go perfectly with the outfit I chose for today.  I may be a sucker but I do like the tanzanite pieces I purchased and to me that is all that counts.

[Georgia_Peaches]

On 8/15/2019 at 9:46 AM, travelnap said:

I would agree with the exception of the dynamite.  Purchasing that could really blow up your jewelry box if you are not careful. LOL

Haha. Totally agree. Couldn’t think of anything else that rhymed 😎!

[aubreyc1988]

On 8/14/2019 at 7:41 AM, Named-Tawny said:

 

I mean, if you want to talk about gemstones which aren't nearly as rare as people are led to believe, look no further than diamonds.

Exactly. I don't mind NCL selling these things, but it goes in with the artwork, so many "lies" are being told. If you like it, buy it by all means but I wish cruiselines were held to a higher standard of the truth so so many people aren't disappointed when they go home and find out what they bought was not "rare" or "authentic" or "one of a kind" 

[Larrytheg]

Tanzanite is a genuine stone only found in Tanzania. Don’t buy jewelry on a cruise ship. I happen to be a 3rd generation jeweler . Buy your jewelry from your local Jewelry store. If you have a. Problem he  or she will take care of you ... any questions I’m here to answer your jewelry question no fee . 

[Birdie And Sue]

Probably targeted towards the same people who actually think that Park West sells art.

[K_e_short]

On 8/15/2019 at 7:02 AM, newmexicoNita said:

 

 

thank you. I do not understand where that poster got the idea the cruise lines own the jewelry stores in port. 

 

I apologize for being vague.

 

When I said that the cruise ships "own" the jewelry stores in ports what I meant was that those stores are paying for advertising and that the cruise ships are getting a cut in their revenues. They have a very close relationship, meaning that the only person they are concerned about is profit.

 

I probably should have said that they are not independent stores. They are only there to make money off cruisers.

 

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cruise-ships-financially_b_1531590

[RaiderDuck]

16 hours ago, Birdie And Sue said:

Probably targeted towards the same people who actually think that Park West sells art.

Park West DOES sell art. Now the paintings, lithographs and whatnot else they sell may not financially be worth what you paid for them, etc, but they ARE art. Peter Max, Norman Rockwell, Tomasz Rut, Thomas Kincade, and the other artists featured there are legitimate artists (alive or dead), and Park West is a legitimate (if somewhat overpriced) reseller.

[Birdie And Sue]

11 minutes ago, RaiderDuck said:

Park West DOES sell art. Now the paintings, lithographs and whatnot else they sell may not financially be worth what you paid for them, etc, but they ARE art. Peter Max, Norman Rockwell, Tomasz Rut, Thomas Kincade, and the other artists featured there are legitimate artists (alive or dead), and Park West is a legitimate (if somewhat overpriced) reseller.

 

 

Your definition of 'art' is very weak my friend.   Note I never said that the artists are not real.  I said it was not real art.   Park West features computer generated reproductions (basically posters) and images of work that is done by or under the supervision of these artists.  The reproductions and posters are hawked as "original" when in reality there are hundreds if not thousands of copies printed off weekly on giclee ink jets printers then distributed to mass marketers like park West.  Go into their poster gallery and mention the word giclee and you will be promptly escorted out so that you cannot continue to warn other passengers as to what it is they are really buying.  Enjoy your overpriced posters.

[RaiderDuck]

12 minutes ago, Birdie And Sue said:

Your definition of 'art' is very weak my friend.   Note I never said that the artists are not real.  I said it was not real art.   Park West features computer generated reproductions (basically posters) and images of work that is done by or under the supervision of these artists.

Question: Would you consider a table-sized reproduction of Michelangelo's "David" to be art or not?

 

If so, what's wrong with the reproduction of Tomasz Rut's "Te Amo" (one of two or three hundred, I believe) that hangs above the couch in our living room? We love our painting (or print, or whatever you want to call it) and remark to each other at least once a week how glad we are that we forked over the $1200 for it. If you came along tomorrow and offered to buy it for twice that, we'd politely tell you to pound sand.

Edited August 18, 2019 by RaiderDuck

[Birdie And Sue]

3 hours ago, RaiderDuck said:

Question: Would you consider a table-sized reproduction of Michelangelo's "David" to be art or not?

 

If so, what's wrong with the reproduction of Tomasz Rut's "Te Amo" (one of two or three hundred, I believe) that hangs above the couch in our living room? We love our painting (or print, or whatever you want to call it) and remark to each other at least once a week how glad we are that we forked over the $1200 for it. If you came along tomorrow and offered to buy it for twice that, we'd politely tell you to pound sand.

 

 

It is a novelty trinket.  Good luck having anyone offer you 50% of what you paid for your replica "collectors item".  I guess it is displayed next to your series of commemorative presidential plates (LOL).  The number of the trinkets reproduced are not an indication of the quality or value of said piece.  Then as long as you are happy with it... They seem to have found their target audience!

 

[newmexicoNita]

20 hours ago, K_e_short said:

 

I apologize for being vague.

 

When I said that the cruise ships "own" the jewelry stores in ports what I meant was that those stores are paying for advertising and that the cruise ships are getting a cut in their revenues. They have a very close relationship, meaning that the only person they are concerned about is profit.

 

I probably should have said that they are not independent stores. They are only there to make money off cruisers.

 

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cruise-ships-financially_b_1531590

Thanks for your reply. Now it is clear what you really meant and yes, they do get a kickback I am sure There is some reason the ships always push certain stores and you can be sure if it is a store that is both, on the ship and in port they get something out of it . I will add, the earrings I got in ST Thomas years ago was not at a jewelry store the cruise line was pushing. I know I spent way to much for them and am still kicking myself I don't think I have worn them more than 3 or 4 times.

With that I will add one more comment and let it go: I have to admit, if I read it in the Huffington Post I would take it with a grain of salt, but that is just me.  

[Zippeedee]

On 8/15/2019 at 9:42 AM, travelnap said:

It is indeed the same rock, no matter where you buy it.  Larimar is a a pretty stone and found in the Dominican Republic.  While on a cruise there I did pick up a few pendants from the local craftsman for gifts.  They were simple pendants set in silver.  No fancy settings.  Since then I have purchased Larimar online, with better settings, and they were cheaper than what I paid the native craftsman, and much cheaper than what the cruise ships charge for basically the same setting.  

Thanks for clarifying. I found a really pretty pair of Larimar earrings on Zulily yesterday, in sterling silver settings, for $40. I'll be looking to see what similar sized stones cost on the ship. (mostly because I love looking at jewelry anyway).