queenymm Posted May 10, 2008 #1 Share Posted May 10, 2008 We'll be in St. Thomas during our 25th wedding anniversary and considering upgrading my diamond ring. How do you know you're getting the real deal when purchasing??? We're only there for 8 hours, so our decision will have to be made quickly. Any advice?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ephraim Posted May 10, 2008 #2 Share Posted May 10, 2008 Buy for a local reputable dealer in your city that sells and guarantees his/her work and gems. There are also many reputable dealers in Antwerp, Tel Aviv and New York City, all cities where diamonds are traded, regularly. Buying from a far off supplier with questionable integrity who may be dealing in blood diamonds isn't a great idea. Diamonds are a commodity that can easily be priced and compared based on the 4Cs. Most dealers on the islands will hardly stand by their product. Plus they need to kick back the cruiseline for your purchase, so they often have a higher markup. Worse yet, because they can deal with "blood" diamonds instead of certified conflict free diamonds. Read the dealer's policies on refunds or discrepencies. Can you easily get your money back if you find that they have misrepresented themselves and that the stone isn't worth what they claim? Is there a return policy that is clear and fair? There are a few good and fair dealers, that is for sure. I know that H. Stern is in St-Thomas. They have a clear and well known worldwide reputation. Look up other company names on the Internet with the words "complaint" or "better business bureau" or even "rip off" and see if they are a company that you want to deal with. Or read some of the rip off reports using the words CRUISE and JEWELRY and judge for yourself... http://www.ripoffreport.com/searchresults.asp?q1=ALL&q2=&q3=&q4=&q5=&q7=&q6=jewelry%20cruise&searchtype=0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m steve Posted May 11, 2008 #3 Share Posted May 11, 2008 like anything INTERNATIONAL you have a chance of getting value but the previous poster has the best advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6rugrats Posted May 11, 2008 #4 Share Posted May 11, 2008 I have never seen any fabulous deals on jewelry on any island. IMO, it's wiser to just buy from a reputable dealer at home who will back their work. Any jeweler should give you a discount if you ask, especially if you are a regular customer or are making an expensive purchase, and most will accept your old stone if you want to trade up. No important or expensive decision should be made quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigeagle12 Posted May 13, 2008 #5 Share Posted May 13, 2008 My wife loves Cardow's. Great reputation, great selection, great prices, great reputation. Go to the main store downtown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruzbabe Posted May 14, 2008 #6 Share Posted May 14, 2008 My wife loves Cardow's. Great reputation, great selection, great prices, great reputation. Go to the main store downtown.I agree, we bought several items there two weeks ago! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaHappy Posted May 14, 2008 #7 Share Posted May 14, 2008 I'd steer clear of any major purchases like that while in port. God forbid you get home and there's some kind of problem with your new investment... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunsurf Posted May 14, 2008 #8 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Cardow also gets my vote. Even though they provide an appraisal for any major purchase, I still have my rings & other jewelry appraised upon returing home and find them to be worth much more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livin4Real Posted May 14, 2008 #9 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Grand Jewelers in St. Thomas are great. Navine and Varsha are wonderful people and will make sure you are taken care of. Our appraisal on the ring we bought for my wife last year there was almost 2.5 times what we paid. Also for some locals opinions on shops check out vi now.com (without the space) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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