The advice of caveat emptor (buyer, beware) is very true when buying jewelry, anywhere in the world, but particularly in St. Maarten. This is because if you have a problem with the piece of jewelry you bought, it's a long and expensive trip back to the store to have the problem addressed. It pays to educate yourself about prices and quality in your own locality before going to Phillipsburg or Marigot.
Don't be afraid to negotiate the price--you will not be insulting the store owner if you offer a price much lower than the sticker price. But, to be able to negotiate successfully, you must know what you are willing to pay, what the value of that type of gem or design would cost you back home, and be able to walk away from the deal.
We always bring liquor back because the prices are so fantastic. Vinissimo has wonderful wines that are not available in our local stores. Perfume prices can be good in Marigot, but again, you've got to know what you'd pay at home and appreciate the currency exchange effect on the cost.

Have been shopping at "Diamonds" (three doors down Front Street from McDonalds). Had a problem once with a piece, and was told to either send it back for repair, or could take it/send it to NYC. Had no problem having the one item, out of about 40 that we have purchased, repaired in the US free of charge.

They also have an exchange policy. If you wish to exchange youur purchase, upgrade it, etc. they work with you with no loss to you.. They always seem to have items that you see in the US 6 months to 1 year later. I am not a big shopper, but my wife seems to know prices, and feels she gets a good deal.

Everyone has their favorites, and I am sure receives the service they desire. We have been very happy with Kevin at Diamonds, for about 14 years now.
Hope this helps!

Everyone has their "favorite" jeweler. We have bought from Touch of Gold for over 10 years and have never had a problem. Always been appraised for more than what we paid. I also bought a pair of diamond earrings - wore them for a year and turned them back in the following year for a different item. I had my original engagement diamond reset with princess diamonds for our 20th anniversary and no one had ever seen the princess cut diamonds in the states. They were just coming out here and only in the really exclusive stores.
Perfumes are generally about 20% less than in the states - not a huge savings - about what you would get at a discount cosmetics store, but again, you can often find new perfumes that haven't been released/marketing to the U.S.
Another restaurant close to Pelican is Saratoga (basically down the hill and across the street). Try the different beaches in St Maarten. The beach at Pelican is "just okay" - we like Friar's Beach and Mullet Bay.
We're going in June this year ourselves. We usually go in May but hubby got sick so had to re-schedule. I heard that Mario's Bistro is closed from mid-June. Some other restaurants will probably be closed then too, but there are so many wonderful restaurants you won't have any trouble finding one - from haute cuisine to the Creole island food - there's something for everyone...

LOOKING FOR JEWELRY-SHOPPING ADVICE/INFO...email me at stix6729@aol.com if you can...thanks! = )

Please remember the exchange rate as of today the dollar is only worth $.85 on the french side, and is getting worse.

Rosemary: Watch out, we shopped only at Touch of Gold for 12 years,, same stories as you just told. Then,,,, they SCREWED us. When given the chance to fix the problem,, they refused. Silly me, I thought since we were "family" they would be pleased I came back to them with our problem to fix.

Oh, my... what happened to you at Touch of Gold? We leave in a week and a half...

Do you happen to have an email addrsss for Jewely By Love in St Martin? We just came back and wished we had purchased from them.

I am shopping for an engagement ring was told their was a store called The Place I need to know if it exsist on the island Also were is a good place to trust on the island for diamonds

baahb...just saw your post.

Jewels by Love
7 Rue de General de Galle
Marigot 97150
St. Martin (F.W.I.)

Mail address:
P.O. Box 477
Marigot 97055 Cedex
St. Martin (F.W.I.)

Phone 011-590-590-87-2550
Fax 011-590-590-87-2587

email: jewelsbylove@aol.com

Love's a great guy.

Annie

Ann, don't forget that you also have plenty of restaurants in Maho, which is just a short drive down the road from you (on the other side of the airport). Make sure you try Pizza Pasta early in the week because it's a fantastic and affordable small Italian restaurant at the end of the road between the Casino Royale and Cheri's. Worth the visit and you may want to go back.

I found this thread very interesting. On our cruise last December, I bought my boyfriend a very heavy (read BIG) gold bracelet at the Omni (recommend by the cruiseline). Had it appraised when I got home and it was valued more than I paid for it.

We are looking to buying more jewelry in November (maybe a tennis bracelet) but buying gems makes me nervous because I am no expert. Please keep the recommendations coming. I am hoping to find some good deals.

Thanks,
Patti

also been there, from one otherwise anon to another, haven't we heard this story before but by a different name. It seems to me if you aren't willing to give your name then you really shouldn't besmirch a businesses usually very good name. I get nervouse when I hear these "family" stories cause to often there stories from someone who didn't get the freebie they were looking for and come on, face it, your family is your family and your business relationships are just that.

the email for Jewels by Love is jewelsbylove@oal.com
just got back last week from St-Martin and visited the store.

Liliane...it's jewelsbylove@aol.com...you had a little typo there. How are Love and Milan? We will be seeing them next month...looking forward to it!

Annie