I am the owner of Carigem International and the Caribbean Gemological Institute. We have offices in Florida and St Thomas, USVI.

The retail jewery market in the Caribbean generates around $5 billion in sales.

We are the only gemological and appraisal company operating within the Caribbean.

We also provide sales training, continuing education and consultive services to our clients.

We are currently in a rapid growth stage with plans in the works for opening full service Consumer Protection / Jewelry and Watch Repair facilities in Jamaica (fall 2006) and Aruba (summer 2007)

Expansion will continue at 2 locations per year to a total of 7 markets.

Funding is already in process with corporate sponsorship grants.

Managing growth will be the key challenge.

Future plans will be to develop vocational training programs in Jamaica leading to the establishment of a jewelry manufacturing industry. This will provide employment opportunities as well as being an incubator for Jamaican owned start-up businesses.