While searching the Internet I found a topic with negative comments about Joe's Jewelry, that while closed, I believe warrants a response.

My wife and I have been coming to St. Maarten for many years and now we ALWAYS shop exclusively at Joe's. We have almost always dealt with Sam, the manager at 66 Front Street, except twice when he was in India. He and the other salesmen we have dealt with have never PRESSURED us or tried to prevent us from leaving the store. Yes, they have suggested other pieces, but we know how to say "no" if the piece is not what we want.

We have purchased at least a dozen pieces of jewelry, mainly diamonds (earrings, pendants, & rings) over the years. EVERY TIME the appraisals made later here in the States were substantially HIGHER than what we paid, and the quality of both the workmanship and the stones was at least what the items were stated to be or higher.

Bottom line: We believe Joe's to be a trustworthy establishment, one we feel comfortable and secure in dealing with. We are both highly educated in jewelry and diamonds.

There are other stores to watch out for, but I will not bad-mouth them since our experiences were many years ago - they may have changed; we just don't deal with them any more - only with Joe's.