Percys Jewellery Co. Ltd: Charlestown's Custom Bench Jeweller
Family-run Nevisian jeweller crafting bespoke pieces and rescuing heirlooms in the heart of Charlestown.
Why Go
Most cruise-day shoppers hunt for duty-free chains, but islanders in the know slip down a Charlestown side street to Percy's, where a real bench jeweller will fabricate, resize, or resurrect a piece while you're still on-island.
The Experience
Percys Jewellery is the kind of small, unassuming Caribbean workshop-meets-storefront you only find by asking a local. It's a working jewellery house first and a shop second, which means the vibe is more atelier than showroom: display cases of gold and silver up front, a repair bench humming quietly in the back, and a genuine willingness to talk through what you actually want rather than upsell you on stock. Because it's Nevisian-owned and operates on island time (not cruise-terminal time), you're treated less like a transaction and more like a neighbour who wandered in. Perfect for anyone who wants a keepsake that isn't sold in every port from St. Maarten to St. Thomas.
What to Try
Commission a custom piece incorporating a Nevis motif (Nevis Peak silhouette, hibiscus, sea-fan) in gold or sterling silver ΓÇö this is their bread and butter and the reason regulars keep coming back. If you've broken a clasp, snapped a chain, lost a stone, or inherited something that needs resizing, bring it in early in your trip; on-island repair turnaround is one of the best-kept secrets for visitors staying at Four Seasons, Montpelier or the Charlestown guesthouses. Also ask about restringing pearls and cleaning tarnished silver picked up at the Saturday craft market.
Insider Tip
Bring a clear photo or sketch of what you want before you walk in ΓÇö Percy's does its best custom work when you arrive with a reference and an honest budget rather than browsing cold. And go on a weekday morning: Charlestown gets sleepy at lunch and shops sometimes close early on cruise-free days, so mornings are when you'll actually catch the bench jeweller.
The Practical Stuff
Located in Charlestown, Nevis ΓÇö the compact capital that's easily walkable from the ferry pier from St. Kitts. Cash (EC or USD) is universally welcomed; confirm card acceptance before committing to a big custom order. Typical Nevis retail hours run roughly 9amΓÇô4pm Monday to Saturday with a possible lunch break; call ahead via their Facebook page (Percys Jewellery Co. Ltd) to confirm, especially on Sundays and public holidays. Custom pieces need lead time ΓÇö allow several days minimum, so visit at the start of your stay, not the end.
Pair It With
- Chrishi Beach Club Guide — Reward yourself post-shopping with a long lunch and a swim on Pinney's ΓÇö the easy Nevis beach-club antidote to a morning of decision-making at the jeweller's bench.
- Cat Ghaut Nevis Guide — A characterful Charlestown stay within walking distance, so you can pop back to Percy's mid-trip to check on a custom piece or pick up a completed repair.
- Drift Restaurant Guide — Turn the collection of a finished bespoke ring into an occasion ΓÇö Drift's sunset setting is made for unveiling something new over a proper dinner.
- Alexandra Hospital Guide — Not a pairing so much as a landmark ΓÇö Percy's sits in the same Charlestown grid, so orient yourself around the hospital and the ferry pier and you'll find the shop within a few blocks' stroll.