Cost of loose diamonds in Nassau?

[breakingd_awn]

When we got back from Nassau last week I found out you could trade in your diamond for another one for far cheper than in the states. So next year when we go I would like to trade mine in for a 1k, has anyone done this and what is the avg price for one. I would like to keep my band just upgrade the diamond. Is it really that much cheaper?

 

[jilljill]

It's hard to say what the cost would be due to different prices on the different grades of diamonds. Best thing is to get a few prices on diamonds where you live, including their grades, and when you get to Nassau compare what htey have with what you have found in your area.
Your real cost savings comes into play with there being no taxes in Nassau and there is no duty on loose stones brought back into the US.

 

[breakingd_awn]

I knew there would be cost differences according to grades of diamonds, I guess I just wanted to know some "good deals" that people got while there . Ive already looked into the cost of a diamond here ....Were sailing on it next Feb

 

[tvguy]

I knew there would be cost differences according to grades of diamonds, I guess I just wanted to know some "good deals" that people got while there . Ive already looked into the cost of a diamond here ....Were sailing on it next Feb

I'd go some research on the internet. Generally speaking, you'll get a better deal here at home on loose diamonds than in the Caribbean. Do some Googling.
Same with booze (unless you live in a state with price controls on liquor).
I bought a nice souvenir bottle of rum in the Caribbean at a "bargain price" which when I got home I discovered is the exact same price my grocery store at home charges, and $2 a bottle more than Bev Mo sells it for.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I have seen some very pretty diamonds at the chain jewelers on the islands, Diamonds International, Columbian Emeralds, erc. I have yet to see anything that even looks like a bargain. I think the best prices I have seen were in St Thomas and St Maarten at small, family owned shops. . The biggest issue isn't the size of the diamond, it is the quality. If you see something advertised as being bienig VVS1, and the price is low, make sure you ask to see the stomne under a microscope of greater than 10 power. I would also be leary of not knowing iof the stone was a diamond or a cubic, ask to see ot being tested. Know what you want, know the price range here and go from there.

 

[breakingd_awn]

I did wonder about that , what if you got one and it wasnt even a diamond? That' s why I wanted some feedback. I would have no way of telling if it was real or not I would just go with their word which may or may not be true. But i figured Diamond International would be a trusted place to get my ring done since it's been around so long and it was in the shopping guide?

 

[weich1001]

We were just in Nassau in December and went in many different shops...primarily looking for a LeVian Ring, that we wanted for my engagement ring (that Littman's screwed up...but that's another story). I really only found a couple of rings I liked but nothing that really stood out. I also didn't think their pricing in general was any better than in the states.

As for individual stones, we looked at that route too but just didn't see any quality there either.

Nassau definitely has alot of shops...but I wasn't that impressed.

 

[Maryrn11168]

I bought a pair of diamond earings on a trip to Jamaica, no complaints. When I visited my jewler for something a couple of months later, I asked him to look at the earings and tell me if I got a good deal.....His response was "If you got a bad deal, what are you going to do fly back there and complain!!!" Then he recommended not to buy jewlery on vacation.

 

[ctc917]

I didn't purchase loose diamonds but a few loose stones and when I came home I had them checked out by having them appraised and I found out they were worth about 1/2 of what I paid for them. My appraiser did tell me she has seen this many times especially with people going to the islands and hoping to upgrade their diamonds only to find out when they come home that the diamond they had originally was a better quality diamond even if it was smaller. She said she would recommend people looking for a new diamond here in the US.

ctc917

 

[breakingd_awn]

Thanks ....That's exactly what I wanted to know, if it was worth it or not. I'll stick with my local jeweler , then if I have a problem I don' t have to buy airfare to fix it

 

[joksten2000]

Always have bought in St. Thomas at same Jeweler and everything has been appraised a lot over what we paid. You just need to know they inflat the retail price. We bought a beautiful white diamond bracelet G color grade diamonds they list was $36,000 and we paid $12,000 Would have paid $18,000 in the states. We have been dealing with the same jeweler for 10 years. Have bought several diamond rings, earrings, rubies etc. Have traded in several pieces over the years, always worked out a price then said we had a trade, never a problem. We couldn't decide on diamond earrings so she gave us two pair and told us when we decided which one we wanted to mail the other back with a check.

A lot of diamonds in the islands are like J & K color thats why they are so cheap

 

[AlexandNessa]

Been there, done that. On a whim, and not a good whim.

Would've done better at bluenile.com

BTW ... here's the thing. At Diamond's International, if you bought your initial diamond there (the one you want to trade), they will value your diamond at what you paid for it. If you did not buy your diamond there, you have to negotiate the price of your trade-in. I brought Disney's port shopper along with us because I thought she knew what she was doing. Nearly kicked my own butt when we got home after I found I could've done better at bluenile.

 

[kay1864]

Same with booze (unless you live in a state with price controls on liquor).

That is definitely not the norm. I priced several kinds of cognac and single-malt Scotch before I left home. Every one of the Caribbean islands had them quite a bit cheaper than at home (Georgia, no price controls).

St. Thomas in particular has excellent prices on liquor in duty-free, especially rum. Barbados had the best selection of single-malts (and prices were still pretty good).

Rum made on the island you're visiting is always the best price, of course.

 

[tvguy]

That is definitely not the norm. I priced several kinds of cognac and single-malt Scotch before I left home. Every one of the Caribbean islands had them quite a bit cheaper than at home (Georgia, no price controls).

St. Thomas in particular has excellent prices on liquor in duty-free, especially rum. Barbados had the best selection of single-malts (and prices were still pretty good).

Rum made on the island you're visiting is always the best price, of course.

Well, I am in California where price competition on booze is fierce. So that could be part of it.

 

[su_kraft]

Well, I am in California where price competition on booze is fierce.

But you also get the BevMo 1 cent sale!! I am jealous!!

 

[goofysgirl]

You really need to know what you are looking for. I bought a new band for my engagement ring as I broke a prong on my original setting last year. Bought the band in DI in Cozumel. When I brought it to the jeweler here to set it he appraised it for 75% more than I paid for it. Also bought a solitaire diamond necklace E color and it was appraised for 75% more than what I paid.
For our 20th anniversary DH bought me a three stone diamond ring from Dynasty jewelers in ST Thomas. This one appraised for double what he paid for it but I think the owner took a huge liking to my little blonde blue eyed daughter who was shopping with her Dad to get me a great present! I have never had any problems, but then again DH knows his diamonds and how much he wants to pay. My engagement ring came from the Diamond district in NYC so he is not afraid to haggle for what he wants

 

[kay1864]

Well, I am in California where price competition on booze is fierce. So that could be part of it.

Could be. Craggenmore (750ml) was $45 here last time I checked, and about $32 in Barbados. How much is it in Calif?

Cruzan rum was $7.50 a liter last time I was in St Thomas IIRC. Johnnie Walker Blue Label was $125, and $110 in San Juan PR duty-free. $225-250 here in Atlanta.

 

[tvguy]

Could be. Craggenmore (750ml) was $45 here last time I checked, and about $32 in Barbados. How much is it in Calif?

Cruzan rum was $7.50 a liter last time I was in St Thomas IIRC. Johnnie Walker Blue Label was $125, and $110 in San Juan PR duty-free. $225-250 here in Atlanta.

My liquor cabinet consists of a 750 ML bottle of Cruzan rum I bought in St. Thomas in 1983 with about 1/8 of it left.........and a fifth of Kesslers with about 3 shots left in it that was given to be as a gift for Christmas in 1980....yes, 1980, and yes they were still selling booze in fifths then. So, since I don't drink much, and don't keep up on prices, and I don't remember what I paid for the Cruzan, but I do remember it was about 50 cents cheaper here than what I paid.

 

[kay1864]

I hear ya pal...on average I'll drink 1/4" of single-malt a month. It's a good thing hard liquor doesn't go bad the way wine does

My Blue Label lasted from my daughter's first cruise (age 4 months) to her second! (age 3 years 4 months) Didn't replenish it though--bought the $7.50 rums instead (gave away two as gifts).

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I bought a blue diamond ring in St. Maarten and it appraised for double what I paid. I bought it at a family owned shop.