Which Caribbean island is best for diamonds?

Martin/St. Maarten features some of the best places to shop for jewelry in the Caribbean. The most jewelers are on Front Street in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, which has the diverse offerings of Caribbean Gems, the diamonds of Shoppers Haven, and the many locations of down-home Joe's Jewelry.



In 2026, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands remains the premier destination for buying diamonds in the Caribbean. Often referred to as the "Jewel of the Caribbean," the island's capital, Charlotte Amalie, boasts hundreds of jewelry stores concentrated along Main Street. The primary advantage is its duty-free and tax-free status, allowing U.S. citizens to bring back up to $1,600 worth of merchandise duty-free—double the amount of most other islands. This economic environment creates intense competition among family-owned and international jewelers, resulting in lower prices and a vast selection of GIA-certified loose diamonds and high-end settings. Additionally, Sint Maarten is a strong runner-up, known for its "diamond district" in Philipsburg where tax-free shopping also offers significant savings compared to U.S. mainland retail prices.

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This simply means that you do not pay any sales tax on the items you purchase which significantly reduces the prices. That is why when you visit St. Maarten it is best to purchase expensive items like gold, diamonds, or luxury watches because you are going to get the best possible price and save lots of money.

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With no import duties or VAT charged, tax free shopping for visitors in Barbados is as much as a third cheaper than prices in Europe, the UK and North America. Barbados the ideal place to purchase luxuries such as jewellery, watches, designer wear and cosmetics.

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Our experience in buying jewelry and watches was that St. Maarten offered the better deals. Wish I could remember (without going to find the receipts) the name of the place we bought my diamond Ebel... they far outdid St. Thomas, and since that's a somewhat price-controlled item we were pleasantly surprised.

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Barbados. As befits its national motto, Pride and Industry, Barbados plays host to a plethora of fine jewelers and luxury shops. Most shopping is located in Bridgetown, the capital city.

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One of the most important gemstone discoveries for us has been Larimar, a strikingly beautiful blue gemstone mined only on the Caribbean country of Dominican Republic. Larimar was first discovered in 1916, but it wasn't until the 1970's that it was used as a center stone for jewelry.

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On your island trip, it's easy to save big money on expensive items – especially in the duty-free world of the Caribbean. With already-cheap prices and no sales tax, the islands are great places to find jewelry, watches, and gifts for your loved ones, or yourself. Expect to save 25 percent or more on your purchases.

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Lucia's arts and crafts scene are local jewelers who make beaded bracelets and necklaces. Among the most popular items are shiny, black hematite and clay beads. These pieces make great gifts for kids and anyone who loves a new bauble, and you can pack them easily in your suitcase for the trip home. Shopping in St.

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