As the approaching Valentine’s Day turns store décor into a sea of red and white outfitted with numerous gift items, one of the most expensive on display can easily fit into a matchbox, dazzles and costs an astounding $8 million.
The gift, a ring for her, is an immaculately cut 4.5 karat diamond, adorned with smaller diamonds and set in a platinum band at Steve’s Jewellery. Steve’s said it had considered that no one may purchase the ring this Valentine’s Day but it is a novelty piece to display so that women can continue to dream big. However, a buyer may request custom-made jewellery that can rack up a price tag of up to $20M per piece. For security purposes, the company sometimes interchanges its most expensive pieces displayed with replicas.
Sheriff’s Jewellery also had sparkling pieces costing big bucks. There is a gold and diamond ID bracelet fetching the price of $4 million and for a special lady, an engagement ring on sale for $2.8 million. Well-known jewellery establishment King’s Jewellery declined to disclose the cost of their priciest item however, price checks on their pieces, all of which are quoted in US dollars, reveal that the most expensive ring costs US$17,000 or $3.4M.
Other smaller jewellery stores also had an array of platinum, gold and silver jewellery ranging from $4,500 for a pair of small, gold, stud earrings to gold and diamond chains for men fetching up to $2M.
Throughout Georgetown, businesses were upping the ante for the day dedicated to lovers. There were teddy bears and roses, chocolates and roses, perfumes and colognes. Persons could also order fresh cut roses or purchase artificial bouquets of flowers.
At Giftland OfficeMax, personal grooming gadgets such as nose hair removers, electric shavers and tooth brushes were trending for men’s gifts. One sales representative said it was not usual to see men purchasing grooming electronics. An assortment of chocolates, gift baskets and electronic items were also displayed.
Other stores including those in the City Mall, had most of the same items such as perfumes, clothing including lingerie for women and silk boxer briefs for men, handbags, and myriad candy bars.
On Regent and Water streets vendors had self-made gift baskets comprising stuffed animals, roses and perfumes and groceries. Patrons could also order fruit baskets and collect same on Valentine’s Day, vendor Marva Pestano said.
Volney Stewart, who Stabroek News caught up with as he window shopped at the City Mall, said other than Valentine’s Day, Christmas was the day that he had to cater for buying a “goodish price” gift or face weeks of silent treatment and being left to sleep alone. “You know how women stay, so I have to get her something …might be jewellery just to be on the safe side,” he explained.
As usual, most gifts were for women, with men as the buyers. Women’s gift items were fancier and pricier, but there were also the usual mugs, wallets, belts, socks and undergarments available for men. For the woman who’s looking for something more extravagant for her partner there is a wide selection of flat screen TVs at DeSinco’s Décor and Gift Gallery, Gizmos and Gadgets, The Nut Centre and other stores. Several also had a number of power tools and car accessories.
All in all, with the number of vendors along Georgetown’s main commercial streets, furniture, jewellery and other stores, consumers are sure to find a gift that suits their pocket and expresses affection on Valentine’s Day.
