LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: RAJU BUDHRANI
The Heart of a Jeweler
The story of Oro Diamanté spans decades and continents, but at its heart is a St. Maarten/St. Martin-based family business headed by a jeweler with much heart, Raju Budhrani.
In 1972, Raju’s father, Mohandas G. Budhrani (Mike, as friends and clients knew him), undertook a journey that would change the course of his family’s history. He made the bold decision to migrate to Puerto Rico from India and open a business. Over a short time, he grew his business from one retail store to three.
In 1983, the family business took another step when Mike sent his oldest son (Raju’s older brother) to survey the business climate in St. Maarten, and soon enough, the family expanded and opened a location on The Friendly Island. Three years later, Raju joined the family enterprise. “Those initial years were a time of learning and understanding the jewelry business and its various nuances from the ground up,” Raju shares.
The early 1990s brought with them both challenges and life-altering decisions. A downturn in business in Puerto Rico and health concerns prompted the Budhrani patriarch to close the business there and make St. Maarten a permanent home. By this time, Mike’s youngest son had also joined the family business, and the operation had expanded to three stores on the island.
Years passed, and Mike decided to entrust each of his sons with a share of the business to run independently. “It was a defining moment that would shape our future. Armed with the values and principles instilled by our father, I began the journey of running my own part of the family business and named it Oro Diamanté (Gold and Diamonds in Italian and Spanish),” Raju says.
Oro Diamanté has grown to offer clients exotic and hard-to-find gemstones certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). “We’ve come to specialize in these unique gems, from Paraiba tourmaline to Padparadscha sapphires and even natural color-changing gems like alexandrite,” he says.
In recent years, the jewelry industry has seen the rise of lab-created diamonds and gemstones. However, Oro Diamanté’s belief in the legacy and value of natural diamonds and gemstones remains steadfast. “Every natural diamond and gemstone is unique, tells a story, and carries a memory; and many families pass these heirlooms on from generation to generation.” Not surprisingly, Oro Diamanté offers one of the largest assortments of GIA-certified diamonds on St. Maarten.
Long-term relationships have been the key to growing Oro Diamanté over the years. “The fact that we’ve been around for as long as we have demonstrates that we are jewelers that can be relied on and trusted.”
With this kind of dedication, Raju, his wife Jenny, and their team approach special orders and custom-designed pieces. “This is an art form we cherish. We don’t rush these creations; we take the time to listen to our customers’ desires, starting from a simple sketch on paper and progressing to CAD renditions before the final handcrafting is executed.”
Oro Diamanté has arguably the most extensive collection of pre-owned Rolex, Cartier, Breitling, and other name-brand watches on
St. Maarten. They offer a vast selection of highly sought-after vintage models, rare pieces no longer in production, and the latest models in short supply.
Raju adds, “For over 30 years, Jenny and I have steered Oro Diamanté with dedication and passion, while our loyal and dedicated staff, many of whom have been with us for over two decades, have stood by our side. We are proud to be one of the premier jewelry and watch destinations on St. Maarten.”
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