mammy Posted January 26, 2009 #1 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I am looking for semi precious stones , we will be in st thomas in one week In particular an aquamarine, I will get it set when I come back, does anyone know where the best place to buy these??? we will also be going to st marrten Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaParrotHead Posted January 26, 2009 #2 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I bought two loose stones on my trip to St. Thomas...I think it was Ballerina Jewelers? I had them made into a mother's ring when I got home and my jewler quoted me around the same price as I bought them for. So I didn't really get a "deal" on them, but they're a neat momento of our trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mammy Posted January 26, 2009 Author #3 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I bought two loose stones on my trip to St. Thomas...I think it was Ballerina Jewelers? I had them made into a mother's ring when I got home and my jewler quoted me around the same price as I bought them for. So I didn't really get a "deal" on them, but they're a neat momento of our trip. What kind of stones did you buy??? and what size ? I have been researching stones, but really don't know how much they would cost in the islands......can you give me a ball park figure? I would like to set them at home, and everything i have found thus far is already set. thanks for your reply:D ps I bought a bracelet at ballerina 2 yrs ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaParrotHead Posted January 26, 2009 #4 Share Posted January 26, 2009 It was my kids' birthstones...nothing real extravagant or expensive. A topaz and a garnet...probably around a carat each, emerald cut, and I paid maybe $50 for both (total)? I really don't know squat about stones or jewlery either, LOL, I just knew I didn't like any of the mother's rings that were available and I wanted to have one made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mammy Posted January 27, 2009 Author #5 Share Posted January 27, 2009 Thanks alot.....it gives me some idea of how much they would cost......:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjunea Posted January 28, 2009 #6 Share Posted January 28, 2009 It's been a few years, but I bought a 13 carat blue topaz pear cut for $120 in St. Thomas. I've had it appraised for twice that just recently, right before my DH had it set into a pendent. I get more compliments on that pendant! I prefer to buy loose stones because you don't have to count them in tax free limit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVegasMan Posted January 28, 2009 #7 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I prefer to buy loose stones because you don't have to count them in tax free limit. Huh? The duty free page of the Customs and Border Patrol makes no mention of there being a separate allowance for loose stones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mammy Posted January 28, 2009 Author #8 Share Posted January 28, 2009 It's been a few years, but I bought a 13 carat blue topaz pear cut for $120 in St. Thomas. I've had it appraised for twice that just recently, right before my DH had it set into a pendent. I get more compliments on that pendant! I prefer to buy loose stones because you don't have to count them in tax free limit. Do you remember which store you bought it at?? I am looking for an aquamarine for my sister, and she wants to set it into a ring. Thanks:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjunea Posted January 28, 2009 #9 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I want to think it was Ballerina, but I'm not sure. I know it was a couple of years ago and the box was thrown away when he had the pendent made. Semiprecious goes for about $10-15 a carat now. Aquamarine I think goes for more than that, anywhere from $30-50 a carat, or it was in Cozumel last summer. It's my son's birthstone and I wanted to get one there, but didn't find a size/color/shape I liked that I could afford! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mammy Posted January 29, 2009 Author #10 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I want to think it was Ballerina, but I'm not sure. I know it was a couple of years ago and the box was thrown away when he had the pendent made. Semiprecious goes for about $10-15 a carat now. Aquamarine I think goes for more than that, anywhere from $30-50 a carat, or it was in Cozumel last summer. It's my son's birthstone and I wanted to get one there, but didn't find a size/color/shape I liked that I could afford! I was looking for a very light blue, 8-9 carat oval shaped.....I was thinking $500 for budget ...... It sounds like it might be harder to find then I thought:cool: thanks for the info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVegasMan Posted January 30, 2009 #11 Share Posted January 30, 2009 Lots of loose Aquamarine gemstones here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mammy Posted January 31, 2009 Author #12 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Thanks vegas man, but i think i'll wait to get to the islands and see what i can find..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keylimepie Posted February 3, 2009 #13 Share Posted February 3, 2009 "Jewels" has a very good reputation in St. Thomas and other ports as well. They are the authorized dealers of several well known lines so I think they would be trustworthy and reliable for loose stones also. I can't remember if they had loose stones or not but it is a huge store. I purchased David Yurman pieces there. Perhaps if they do not offer loose stones they can direct you to someone who does. Here's a link to them and they do have a toll free number as well. www.jewelsonline.com Good luck on your search, hope you find a real beauty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdmurray Posted February 25, 2009 #14 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Huh? The duty free page of the Customs and Border Patrol makes no mention of there being a separate allowance for loose stones. The last cruise I was on, the presenter said that Customs equates loose stones with generic rocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisergal 1 Posted February 25, 2009 #15 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I bought some loose stones on board the ship. There are days allocated to buying loose stones, outside the stores. I still have not had them set, as it is quite expensive to do so. Had I know that before hand, I probably would not have bought the stones! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjs9876 Posted February 26, 2009 #16 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I bought some loose stones on board the ship. There are days allocated to buying loose stones, outside the stores. I still have not had them set, as it is quite expensive to do so. Had I know that before hand, I probably would not have bought the stones! Search for a Gem and Mineral Show in your area. They have mountings and can do it while you wait at a whole lot cheaper than the local jeweler. They also have loose stones. Read up on gems so you know what you are buying and what treatments have been done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVegasMan Posted February 26, 2009 #17 Share Posted February 26, 2009 The last cruise I was on, the presenter said that Customs equates loose stones with generic rocks.SO??? Anything you did not have with you before your trip is supposed to be declared. It's the $$ value that matters, not what you bought. So, whether it's $5,000 for 1 diamond or $5,000 in manure, you still have to declare it and pay a duty on everything over $1,600 (USVI) or $800 elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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