little switzerland & columbian emeralds

[nina85]

Has any one ever bought from either of these stores. If so which is better, or should I stay away from both. Help?

 

[surfgirl]

For the love of all that''s holy, STAY AWAY from both and spend your money elsewhere! I say this having spent about 6 weeks throughout the Caribbean region this Fall on a work assignment. When I had time off, I''d go into these stores to have a look around because I''d heard so much for so many years about the "deals" you get at such places. Well, if you know anything about fine jewelry or watches, there''s no real bargains. And what they mostly sell is caca, IMO. I had posted a thread about it already, please feel free to read it and ask any questions you''d like. But know that YOU aren''t the one getting a duty free bargain. It''s the SHOP that gets to bring in inventory "duty free" (IIRC), YOU will have to still pay duty on the doody you buy there, once you land back on US soil. It''s just not worth it. Talk about frozen spit...

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/duty-free-doody.69433/

 

[mintve]

before I knew much about jewelrry, I was sucked into the Columbian Emerald hype that I read about in the travel guides and heard on the cruise ship. I decided to visit the location in Barbados. I really wanted an emerald ring. I ended up buying a small solitare in gold and some gold earrings w/ a small emerald stone. I LOVE them!!! I spent under $500 for both items.

One of my friends bought some silver earrinns and another friend bought earrings w/ diamonds on them ( i do not care for them and I think she overpaid). I may have overpaid a bit for what I got, but I truly love the pieces and i thought the prices were fair. Plus, I bought emeralds (small ones), not diamonds or large expensive emerald pieces.

So, if you are on a cuirse and want a small emerald piece to remember your trip, I think its OK. BUu I would not want to buy diamonds or shop them stateside for diamonds.

 

[Sundial]

A number of years ago I purchased an emerald bracelet at Columbian Emeralds while on a cruise to go with a ring I already owned. I have no idea if I overpaid for it or not but it was the kind of piece I could never have found locally and at the time there was no internet jewelry shopping. I agree that it is okay to purchase a little something as a memento of your trip, but I wouldn''t buy any diamonds or really expensive jewelry. As far as watches go I would only buy from an authorized dealer and only if I had checked prices before leaving home and I was saving a substantial sum.

 

[diagem]

I think Little Switzerland was owned by T&Co until fairly recently...

 

[bebe]

I bought an Ebel watch there a few years ago. I checked the prices on the net before I returned to the store. (Bahamas)
I did ok, but it was not huge, but still cheaper than walking in BBB and buying it. No tax and I didn''t declare it.

 

[Libster]

I have purchased emeralds a couple of times from Columbian International.

Like Sundial, the pieces were things I couldn''t find locally and before internet shopping. I still love these emeralds and have had them appraised a few times over the years and have never been disappointed by their value versus what I paid. Of course they are also a great reminder of some wonderful trips.