Shopping in Puerto Rico, Authentic Jewelry Stores and Brands

Background of Puerto Rico shops with a title "Shopping in Puerto Rico."

Our jewelry shopping guide features the awesome jewelry stores and brands on the island, serving as an honest and helpful guide to shopping for authentic jewelry from Puerto Rico. Aside from helping you decide what is most important to you when purchasing a jewelry item from Puerto Rico, this guide will mention brands and stores from the island of various price ranges in these 4 categories:

Before we dive in, this is the most important explanation to align your shopping expectations with reality:

The manufacturing and replication in bulk productions at small, medium, and large scales for precious metals and gemstones simply does not exist.

Puerto Rico does not have the manufacturing capabilities and technologies to produce in large portions the same, exact items and variations of these in rings, bracelets, earrings, cufflinks, pendants, and charms of fine jewelry to meet demands.

Moreover, if factories were established on the island, the price increase for local labor would be staggering. There exists, however, local crafters that release limited collections. Additionally, the only local workshop recently established in Puerto Rico is an international brand: Tous. It is, quite frankly, crucial to understand this to have realistic expectations when supporting a local jewelry business store or brand. At the moment, it would be insurmountable for a local business to set up a workshop, technological machinery, and a labor force to produce their items. A lot of money would be needed. It is paramount to also ascribe value to conceptual ideas that are inventive, even if not locally sourced and made.

The blog will list Locally-owned stores that sell unique international brands, stores that source their designs from locals that create them, as well as stores with their own particular and exclusive name brands. The blog will cover from medium to very high end jewelry stores you can explore. As a note, you can also shop from these businesses online (if available) if you’re not on the island and looking to support.

Authentic Jewelry Made in Puerto Rico

1. Cherasmo, Viejo San Juan

Cherasmo is a jeweler and crafter with his workshop that can custom make your design in your preferred precious metal. As mentioned above, the output is small, which makes it perfect for a locally-made, custom item.

2. Lido Jewelers, Mall of San Juan

Lido Jewelers is one of the few jewelry stores in the San Juan area that consistently holds exclusive shows for when they introduce new lines. Therefore, it is a fabulous store to not only visit on any given day but to also be on the lookout for when they hold these jewelry presentations. Lido scouts for beautiful, not very well known local and international lines and gives them visibility. If you’re a designer jeweler it can also be a good opportunity to see if you’re able to showcase some of your pieces.

3. Reinhold Jewelers, Plaza las Américas

This jewelry store is just one out of numerous sister companies established in Puerto Rico and founded by Marie Helene Reinhold. It is refreshing to have this strong designer jewelry presence led by a woman well-versed in the high jewelry industry. The jewelry company’s essence is avant-garde, contemporary designs. Because of this, it has earned many accolades as a jewelry retailer. Reinhold offers over 100 beautiful brands from around the world that are truly unique finds.

Their bread and butter, so to speak, is regularly offering high-end international jewelry ranging from individuals to big-name brands like David Yurman. What makes this store unique are its sponsored events when they want to highlight local, fine jewelry talent. These stores are great to attend gallery nights and shop for one-of-a-kind pieces. Browse their event calendar to view their upcoming showings.

4. Tous Jewelry, Plaza las Americas

While Tous is a big international jeweler from Spain, their Puerto Rico stores have employed local crafters to make some unique pieces inspired by Puerto Rico. With their significant financial backing, they have been able to set up a local workshop to have upcoming jewelry crafters make Tous designs.

5. Puerto Rican Arts and Crafts, Viejo San Juan

Artisanal jewelry is the category that is most authentic in Puerto Rico. You may find handcrafted jewelry by local designers in stores such as Puerto Rican Arts and Crafts, that sources all their items from Puerto Rico artisans. Usually, jewelry offered in this craftsmanship are made from materials like wood, aluminum, coconut, with some jewelers working in sterling silver and, on occasion, gold plating.

Authentic Jewelry Designed in Puerto Rico

1. Coquí el Original®, Old San Juan

If you’re looking for very high-end items crafted in precious metals and exclusively designed in Puerto Rico, then this jewelry brand is for you. A family owned, local registered brand in Puerto Rico and the United States, this fine jewelry store designs its seven collections inspired by Puerto Rico’s nature and cultural beauty.

Of these designs, they offer bracelets, rings, earrings, cufflinks, charms and necklaces. A unique particularity of Coquí el Original® is that it is a name brand of N. Barquet Jewelers, a local jewelry business tradition in Old San Juan established in 1965 at Calle de la Fortaleza and dating back to 1920. The designer, Natalio Barquet, is a GIA-certified jeweler, and his daughter and current owner, Daniela Barquet, is under his mentorship.

They are always thrilled to offer elegant and impeccably crafted jewelry items that immortalize “La Isla del Encanto.” Browse charms, pendants, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings, and cufflinks online with complimentary shipping or visit them in Old San Juan. All items are made in solid 14k gold and solid sterling silver .925 with special orders done in 18k gold, if preferred.

Pay them a visit if you’re looking for a beautiful and high-quality memento from Puerto Rico.

Shop Coquí el Original® Jewelry

Jewelry Stores Locally Owned by Puerto Ricans

1. Joyería Catalá, Viejo San Juan

This jewelry store is a 100-year-old family business tradition. The owner, Constantino, is a jewelry retailer and a trustworthy craftsman if you need repairs for your high-end jewelry. As a long-standing retailer that has always been in Old San Juan, they offer religious jewelry, pearls, children’s jewelry, engagement rings, and more!

2. Portofino, Viejo San Juan

Much like Catalá, but catering to a more youthful crowd, Portofino boasts lines that include watches, engagement rings, solid gold jewelry, and more. They are a reputable family business to buy jewelry from.

3. Club Jibarito, Old San Juan

Club Jibarito is a jewelry and watch store that is popular among locals looking to shop very high-end items, specifically watches. Founded over 20 years ago by 3 Boricua men, they have a variety of products and services. Not only do they sell jewelry and watches from brands like Tudor, Mont Blanc, Chopard, Hermes, but they also offer appraisals, repairs, and can resell your watch, if applicable. They are also resellers of designer Tamara Comolli, who has gorgeous, color-filled jewelry designs. If you pay a visit, they have a team of experts ready to provide excellent customer service.

3. Letrán, Mall of San Juan

Letrán is a top-tier jewelry store in Puerto Rico that also dates back to 1963, Old San Juan, and now have their primary location in the luxury shopping center of the Mall of San Juan. They offer designer jewelry from all over the world and seasonally feature talented local artists as well. Some brands you can find are Velatti, from Barcelona, Carré Jewelry from Denmark, and Josefina Jewels, their own family, designer collections.

4. Jorge Bared Jeweler, Mall of San Juan, Plaza las Américas

Also a renowned family jewelry business tradition that dates back to 1880 Cuba, this jewelry store represents brands including Scott Kay, Baraka, Pianegonda, Bohemme, Charriol, Alor, Baume & Mercier, Locman, Michele, TW Steel, Scuderia, Philip Stein, GUM Handbags and their own collection “Jorge Bared D’Collection”.

5. Kury, Alta Relojerí, Plaza las Américas

Much like Club Jibarito is the best trusted watches store in Old San Juan, if you’re in the mall of Plaza las Américas, Kury is the place to visit to purchase high-end watches (with exclusive rights to Rolex) and repairs, if applicable. Other brands include Cartier, Hublot, Breitling, Bvlgari, Gucci, Oris, Rado, Tag Heuer, and Tissot. The owner, Kury, is one of the most trusted watches experts in Puerto Rico.

This list truly covers jewelry stores that have years of experience in the jewelry industry in Puerto Rico. In any of its forms, it is crucial to support all types of businesses and help keep moving the few local business traditions that have a long-standing history on the island.

For other authentic places to visit beyond jewelry stores, Old San Juan is home to many businesses that are more than 50 years old.

¡Salud y Exito!

Daniela Barquet

Daniela Barquet is the 4th generation owner of her family's jewelry store located in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico since 1965. The business tradition was started by her great-grandfather, Issac Barquet, in 1920. Daniela graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor's in the History of Art and Architecture and a Minor in Italian Studies. Daniela continues to grow under the mentorship of her father, Natalio Barquet Perez, who is a renowned, certified jeweler in Puerto Rico.