Quick answer: for the original Crucian hook bracelet go to Sonya Ltd on Company Street, and for knot designs inspired by sailing go to Crucian Gold on Strand Street. Both are a few minutes’ walk from the Christiansted boardwalk, along with a cluster of smaller studios making handmade island jewelry.
Why St. Croix is a jewelry island
Two designs have become St. Croix signatures. The hook bracelet, a simple band with a horseshoe-shaped hook as the clasp, is credited to Sonya Hough, who opened her Christiansted shop with her husband in the mid-1960s. Local lore says the way you wear it tells a story: hook turned toward your heart means your heart is taken, hook turned away means you’re open to love. The Crucian knot bracelet, which closes with a sailor’s knot, comes from Crucian Gold, a family studio founded by island native Brian Bishop in 1972.
You’ll also see chaney everywhere: pieces of old china found washed up on St. Croix’s beaches, smoothed by the sea and set in silver or gold. Each one is a small piece of the island’s history.
The originals
- Sonya Ltd (Company Street). The home of the original hook bracelet, in sterling silver and gold, plus rings, earrings and charms in the same style. One of the island’s best reviewed shops. Sonya Ltd's site ↗
- Crucian Gold (Strand Street). Family-run since 1972 and known for the Crucian knot bracelet, the Turk’s head ring and chaney pieces. Crucian Gold's site ↗
Handmade studios and island designers
- ib designs (Company Street). Handcrafted jewelry with some of the warmest reviews in town. ib designs' site ↗
- The Natural Jewel & The Jewelry Factory (King Street). Handmade jewelry on King Street. The Natural Jewel's site ↗
- Joyia Inspirational Jewelry (Queen Cross Street). Inspirational jewelry, as the name suggests, and a perfect five-star rating on Google. Joyia's site ↗
- RJS Handmade Designs (Strand Street). Handmade designs, right by the waterfront. RJS Handmade Designs' site ↗
- FantaSea Jewelry (Company Street). Another well-reviewed jewelry stop on Company Street. FantaSea's site ↗
Gifts, chaney and bracelets on a budget
- Chaney Chicks (King Street). Island gifts and souvenirs with a story. Chaney Chicks' site ↗
- Tropical Bracelet Factory (Strand Street). A bracelet shop right on the waterfront. Tropical Bracelet Factory's site ↗
- Johnny Jeweler (Queen Mary Highway, Sion Farm). A jeweler outside downtown, on Queen Mary Highway. Johnny Jeweler's site ↗
Shopping tips
- Walk it. Strand Street, King Street, Company Street and Queen Cross Street are all within a few blocks of each other and the boardwalk. Park once and wander.
- Know what you’re buying. The hook and knot designs are widely copied. If you want the original, buy it from the shop that created it, and ask about the metal (sterling, gold-filled or solid gold).
- Check hours. Small studios may close early or on Sundays, and some open extra hours on cruise ship days. Their directory pages show current hours from Google.
- Make a day of it. Combine shopping with lunch on the boardwalk and a visit to the fort. See things to do and places to eat nearby.
