Lora: The best way to go diamond shopping is to start where you are and research. Figure out what you want, learn about the cut, clarity etc, Find out what prices will run back home. Then wander around and bargain. Jewelry is one area where the shops do bargain. But you need to come from a position of knowledge, not just being cheap.There are many good stores and people will jump in and give you names of friends, but as I said, there are so many jewelers downtown it will make your head spin.

My wife has bad taste in husbands (me), but impeccable taste in diamonds. We always buy from Beverly's in Havensight.

We usually buy loose diamonds that are excellent color - the whiter the better. My wife just said, "I like them as white as possible."

I know I've spent more on diamonds than I've spent on Villa's in the VI's, and maybe I've spent more on diamonds in St. Thomas than I have on trips to the USVI. So, I've spent thousands.

What I've found out is that although they don't give away their diamonds, you can get higher quality stones in St. Thomas than you can buy in the local mall, and they're about the same price as the mall diamonds.

I've shopped for Diamonds in Charlotte Amalie and didn't buy a thing. I liked Havensight better.

So bring some money and buy some rocks, bangles, or necklaces in St. Thomas. For me, it's a highlight of the trip.

JFP
John

John,

Shopping for your wife's diamonds is the highight of your trip? That LUCKY girl!!

WOW she is a lucky girl! I will relay this info to my girlfriend about Havensight. I personally am not interested in spending any more $$ on diamonds, but would like some unique piece of jewelry (perhaps a bracelet) as a souvenir.

There's also a Beverly's on Main Street in Charlotte Amalie. I am not sure if it's owned by the same people that own the Beverly's in Havensight. Anyways, the Beverly's on Main Street is a good spot for jewelry shopping. My wife loves it. If you go, ask for Anita. Real nice lady. Most importantly, they've got Heinekens for waiting husbands. 🙂

"Most importantly, they've got Heinekens for waiting husbands"

Ahhhhh ha! So, THAT's why shopping for diamonds at Beverly's is John's favorite thing!!! LOL

and maybe us ladies would like a Heineken while shopping. One can work up a thirst jewelry shopping, ya know.

thanks for all the tips. unfortunately, we have 9 long months to wait for this. But, I think that's part of the fun, the planning.

The problem is that the number of Heinekens imbibed at a jewelry store is directly proportional to the amounf of money spent. Not a bad marketing ploy!

Boston,

Isn't that the "Vegas" strategy? - free booze for all and watch the cash rise out of the wallets without a worry.

LOL. They always offer a beer for the spouse; but since I've got to drive the roller-coaster-of-death roads, I always decline. My big tip for surviving driving on the left hand side - STAY SOBER. Come to think of it, that's probably a good tip for buying jewelry also.

And yes, buying jewelry is a one of the things we like to do while on the island. Like I said, my wife likes WHITE diamonds and they do have some high quality stuff in St. Thomas.

Jewelry shopping's even become an inside joke in my family.

The salesperson we use at Beverly's, I believe is from Indian descent and it seems like he goes by the name Jack. Jack really only has one closing line, which is, "Sir, she can have?" And what's bad, is the guy probably fakes the accent and laughs all the way to the bank.

So my wife tries on a necklace, Jack says, "Sir, she can have?"

I say, "no."

My wife tries on a bangle, Jack says, "The bangle looks good on her. Sir, she can have?"

I say, "no."

And so it continues until I say yes.

So my 14 year old son is always teasing me saying, "Sir, she can have? Sir, she can have?"

Anyway, have a great time on St. Thomas. The people are wonderful. The place is exotic. Know what you want to buy before you go shopping; or mark my words, you will spend more than you wanted to.

JFP

PS I highly recommend using Jack at the Beverly's in Havensight.