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Shopping
George Town is the best place to shop in the Cayman Islands. Here, you'll find a good selection of duty-free china, perfumes, leather goods, watches, crystal, and more. Jewelry (mostly gold) is a popular buy and available at stores such as 24 K-Mon Jewellers (Treasure Island Resort), Savoy Jewellers (Fort St. and Church St.), and The Jewelry Center (also on Fort Street). For china and crystal, check out the Kirk Freeport Centre (Albert Panton St.). Know your prices before you leave home, however; those "bargains" may or may not be such a good buy. Some of the really good deals are on Cayman-made items. Caymanite, a stone found only on the eastern edge of Grand Cayman's East End and the bluff on Cayman
Brac, is sold throughout the islands mounted as jewelry. The semi-precious stone, a form of dolomite, ranges from a light beige to a beautiful amber color and is often mounted in a gold setting. Another popular island purchase is the Tortuga Rum Cake
(800-444-0625), made using five-year-old Tortuga Gold Rum. Sealed in a red tin, the cake is the product of a 100-year-old family recipe. If you want to skip the cake, take home a bottle of
Tortuga, Blackbear, or Cayman Gold Rum. Black coral jewelry is also a widespread commodity, but note that its harvesting depletes the sea's black coral supply. Only jewelers licensed to remove the coral may do so. Without a certificate testifying that your purchase is from an approved seller, your black coral may be confiscated in Customs. Anything made with turtle products should also be avoided. All goods - including oils, steaks, shells, and jewelry - made from turtles and turtle shells have been banned by US Customs. Even passengers traveling through the US to other nations will have to surrender turtle products at US Customs. Locals products you won't have to worry about clearing through Customs are arts and crafts. Look for birdhouses made from coconuts, brooms woven from thatch, and pepper sauce distilled form fiery scotch bonnet peppers to capture the spirit of the islands.
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