What started as shop in St. Thomas grew to a massive market share of 100 stores scattered around the world (mainly in the Caribbean).  Are they reasonably priced? Visit their web site and judge for yourself. However, any jewelry store located on a Caribbean island really can't offer you the best value for your dollar, as they have to maintain stores in high rent districts. In addition, just who is behind Diamonds International? While a few names are bandied about, you won't find this information posted on their web site. There must be a few founding fathers of this massive organization however, it's hard to find the names of the CEO or CFO.

Diamonds International also owns Tanzanite International and a few other companies under various misnomers throughout the Caribbean.

Back to the DI web site...

They have a bunch of stuff for sale but, what really stands out is their affiliate program. They pay a WHOPPING 16% on sales and/or $160.00 per every $1000.00 sale an affiliate generates. Okay, it stands to reason that someone is making up to 16% off of an affiliate sale however, where is that money coming from? Have you just paid up to 16% TOO much on your jewelry purchase?

Affiliate programs can be a good thing for some on line retailers however, in the case of a Jewelry retailer, the commission paid to their affiliates can speak volumes.

Back to who owns DI...

I was informed by a mom and pop jewelry store owner in St. Thomas, that the the company is owned by two brothers. ALMOD Diamonds Limited (which owns Diamonds International) recently received a sight holder license from De Beers a.k.a. The Diamond Trading Company. This relationship supposedly translates into greater savings to the consumer via Diamonds International, via purchases acquired through ALMOD through De Beers a.k.a., The Diamond Trading Group.

What one could also assume is that this relationship does make diamonds less expensive for ALMOD however, how can a claim be made that consumers pay less when up to 16% of their web site "affiliate" generated sales goes straight into an affiliates pocket? Hmmm..

The acid test...

On the cruise ship side, let's look at just one customers experience..

Diamonds International - Princess Cruises ripoff, lying, stealing, cheating, insulting service, won't back their products or recommendations New York New York

Caribbean Princess: I attend a shopping seminar where Diamonds International is highly recommended. The sales rep,Christie assures customers if we have ANY problem with merchants, Princess Cruises will 100% fix it.

St. Thomas: I buy a $31,500.00 yellow diamond ring, which I traded in my engagement ring for PLUS paid $16,500.00 additionally. Reina Infante of D.I. assured me I had everything I needed for insurance purposes in the US. Once home, my ins company insists on having a plot (standard in stones over 25K). Surprise, surprise! It was never included.

I call D.I.;(we were supposed to deal with their NY office)repeatedly, leaving messages- no answer for at least a week! My husband emails & finally gets a response. 'Sure,send the ring back so we can plot it. So sorry!'
We mail the ring.

2 wks later; I demand service and am told, 'We WILL NOT remove the stone from the setting because it may injure the ring.' I said that's ok- I wanted a new setting anyway. She REFUSED!

I demand my $ and trade-in back but was told I didn't meet the 30 warranty even though I I had but no one CB until after it expired! I am livid! D.I.'s lies were the catalyst for my purchase and their negligence is reason enough for a refund!

D.I. is guilty of: (1) Misrepresenting the certs + value of a stone (2) Neglecting to say the diamond can't come out of it's cup setting, (such BS!) (3) Not including a plot but saying they had (4) Not returning calls + delay tactics (5) Refusing to plot their own stone! (6) Lying, stealing, fraud and not honoring their contract!

All they offer to do is replace the ring, which I had no interest in. I am beside myself knowing the diamond I paid as much as a car for is fake! I tried to make the best of it, and even liked the 1st replacement stone's stats.

Typically, it was used as bait (becoming unavailable) in attempt to switch my interest to the 2nd substitute ring. Not happening! #2 was inferior in all aspects, so I reject it. Then, Reina praises a slightly smaller stone, w/ superior clarity and 'increased value'.

Gabriel, the manager confirmed this! Both neglected to tell me what a gross excuse for "fancy yellow" it is; a worthless("L" grade) Vaseline color with extreme blue fluorescence. These characteristics, (combined with the small size and very thick girdle) make this diamond less than HALF of the original price!

A jeweler appraised the 3rd stone, saying the replacement was worth only $15K, (the credit I got for just for my trade-in!)Also, he said,' ALL diamonds can be removed- regardless of the type of setting. You've been robbed.'

The last thing I want is for these crooks to be further compensated for criminal activity. I already lost my trade in worth $15K. They refuse to refund me OR offer a reasonable replacement; have zero integrity and do despicable business. D.I. had several opportunities to fix their mistakes.

Instead they added insult to injury and continued to try to steal as much as possible! RUN, do not walk away from Diamonds International! Princess Cruises has not done a thing to help.

Erika
Pompano Bch, Florida
U.S.A.

CARNIVAL CRUISE ELATION:

While on the Carnival Cruise Elation Mar 8-12 of 2007 we attended a jewelry seminar given by super shopper Mark Writer. During this seminar, and in sheets handed out by Carnival Cruise Lines, it was emphasized that doing business with stores not recommended by Carnival was very risky business as dishonest, rip-off tactics were the norm.

We were also told that should we make any purchases we should fill out the ship paperwork onboard and if there were any problems we would be guaranteed 100% satisfaction.

With their cautions and guarantee in our heads, I went with my wife to Diamonds International, Nassau on Mar 11, 2007 to purchase for her a wedding ring. Figured that this would be the place as we'd been assured of not only the integrity of the store, and it was being promoted by Carnival Cruise Lines, but also the savings over stateside was 40-60%. Seemed like a slam dunk to me, win, win,win.

Met Carnival super shopper Mark Writer at the Diamonds International Nassua store. He guided us to the sales lady,(store manager). I told her my price range $6000.00
so that I'd get to the right jewelry case. She showed us a solitare ring that she said was priced at $7600.00 but that we were not to worry, she'd cut us a deal and let it go for $6150.00

I purchased the ring and registered it immediately upon returning to Carnival Cruise Elation. Paid duty on the ring of $225.00. So far so good.

Took the ring to get appraised for insurance purposes figuring it'd appraise out around twice what I paid for it (this has been the case with other jewelry purchases that I've made).

To my surprise and dismay, the appraisal came back $4300.00. This was almost $2000.00 LESS than what I paid. And $4000.00 less than actual worth. I immediately checked my paperwork for someone to call to get a refund as this ring was not at all the savings or value that it was represented to be.

Let's talk about fraudulant, dishonest, and misleading advertising by both Diamonds International and Carnival Cruise Lines. Diamonds International even highlights on their web site that (and I quote) 'Our merchandise is guaranteed by every major cruise line'. I'm not sure exactly what that means as the contacts that I've made with Carnival, including their customer service who say they can do nothing and the letter I sent to the president of Carnival Cruise Lines, Mr. Dickinson, have gone unanswered.

I have called, e-mailed, and sent hard copies of all necessary documentation to Diamonds International corporate headquarters in New York letting them know of my extreme displeasure and that I have the ring in its box awaiting its return merchandise number so that I can get my money back.

A company that is honest and not misleading its customers with its FRAUDULANT behaviors would not have such a problem responding to any complaints and issuing refunds if that is what is necessary.

Diamonds International knows what I want. They are just giving me the run around now. I want to warn others about this set-up. Don't be scammed by Diamonds International.

We were also heavily influenced by the backing of Carnival Cruise Lines. Don't be sucked in by them either. Their Guarantee isn't worth the paper its printed on. It seems as if they've washed their hands of the problem.

Any company that perpetuates this kind of FRAUD and dishonest behavior ought not to be in business.

BEWARE OF DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL.

Fred
Wheaton, Illinois
U.S.A.

Summary:

Folks, the cruiselines make money on YOUR jewelry purchases in just about every port of call. If they recommend the jewelry store to you, they're more than likely making money off of you.

The shopping guide on the ship has one job and ONE job only...GET YOU TO GO TO THEIR RECOMMENDED STORES! The cruiseship guarantee paperwork you fill out (at the end of your cruise) is how they KNOW where you shopped and which Jewelry Store owes them money. It ALL adds up!!!!!!!!!!