OOOH I have got a good one for you guys!
 I went on a cruise this March to Belize and more and told my friend ahead of time NOT to let me listen to the jewelry pitches or I would get mad and want to crusade against them.  See, the cruise lines own different ports and get some kind of commission for the jewels sold.  Not only that, but they give "courses" to the people on board and make them feel educated only to sell more jewelry in port and they only tell half thruths about diamonds. 

In Mexico we go into ******* and I see this couple looking at yellow diamonds .  Now remember, my friend warns me that she has been given intructions not to let me get mad or involved with the cheating and lying.  I was about to walk away when I hear the lady say that they are teachers who have been saving and saving to get a yellow diamond.  At that point I cannot help but get involved. 
The lady has on about a 1.49 carat U-V colored yellow with some .5 ctw whites on the side.  I look over her shoulder and the lady behind the counter says "isn't it beautiful?"  I ask the stats.  She says it is a "canary diamond" and it is selling for $17000.00.  I ask her how it is certified and she says "it is a canary diamond."  I start asking about the color grade.  All of a sudden I am being escorted off by some ********* dude showing me some really small yellow diamonds in another case.  The customer's husband looks at me in distress like maybe I can help them.  I leave the counter and the husband comes to get me.  He asks me what I am talking about.  I tell him about Diamondsbylauren and encourage him to at least get on line and get educated, knowing good and well that the site will have MUCH BETTER prices and be more honest.  The store then literally grabs be by the elbows and escorts me out!!!  As I leave I say "make sure it is GIA certified..."  My friend then grabs me away from the clerk, scared that we may end up as shark bait!!! 

I never found out what happened to the customers, but my friend said she heard the manager of the store supposedly calling the ******** headquarters to see if they can sell the ring for $14000.00.  I just hope I put a seed of doubt in their heads and they bought from David!!!

AGGGGHH!   WHY GOD, WHY?

AND NO SHE DID NOT HAVE A SON.  I KNOW BECAUSE I ASKED. 

Canary is a good descriptor:

So a "certified canary" is your first warning sign of a poisonous atmosphere - or pending explosion by an educated consumer!

ROFLMAO!!!!

Hi All! Yes, cruises are FUN!!

But there's simply NO question that there are arrangements between cruise ship personnel, and stores in the ports. It's a commission situation for the cruise line people. What that might possibly lead to is recommendations based on things other that which store has the best this or that.......instead, the recommendations go to the stores that kick back the most.


There's a definite "party" atmosphere that does intoxicate some into making purchases they would not have normally made.
At many of the ports there are literally HUNDREDS of jewelry stores- creating a high pressure sales environment.

Bottom line- there's good sellers among these hundreds, but a lot of potential pitfalls too.


One reminder: PLEASE do not refer to specific sellers by name. We don't want to praise, or point an accusatory finger at anyone specifically.

Or even theft or loss while you are on board.

How on earth could you insure a new purchase when you are that far from home?

No, not a slap on the wrist GIAGirl!  It can be difficult territory to navigate when you are new to a forum.  We are always happy to step in and help out - we won't put you in detention or anything!  Promise!