OUR STORY

Celebrating their 50th year in business this year, House of Rajah Jewelers is the oldest family-owned and operated business in St. Thomas, making them one of the most trusted and respected jewelers in the Caribbean Islands. With a growing loyal base of customers raving about their commitment to providing the highest level of quality, service and value, House of Rajah have earned a reputation for being the most recommended duty-free shopping store in St. Thomas and is rated #1 on Trip Advisor. 

Gobind Chugani is the proprietor of this popular downtown jewelry boutique. His experience in the family business started when he was a young boy - he worked after school throughout his junior and senior years of high school continuously learning from the veteran skillset of his father, Victor, who established the business in 1973. “House of Rajah’s roots lie in my parents migration to the United States from Hong Kong and India after an American friend of my father’s offered to sponsor them in 1965. He advised them to open a business and join volunteer clubs to build up a reputable customer base in America. At the time, my father was versed in the duty-free business as it modeled a very similar system to Hong Kong’s own,” says Gobind. Victor’s acquired wealth of knowledge and experience awarded him the opportunity to open his first store in Louisville, Kentucky. And shortly after, Victor and his family moved to St. Thomas in 1973 where House of Rajah was established. 

“My interest for the jewelry world grew as I began to travel overseas to find and bring the finest diamonds and colored gemstones to our customers,” Gobind says. But for Chugani, the shining gem in his life is his lovely wife, Kusum. “We met each other as she was passing through St. Thomas on a family vacation for a long weekend. Our paths crossed by chance, and we instantly connected”, he says. As a jeweler, he keeps up with the current trends and continues to bring in the finest pieces of jewelry and timepieces from different parts of the world. With his wife's creative foresight and his ability to design jewelry at all levels, they have been able to curate many collections that have kept the brand on the cutting edge of jewelry design.

As the business approaches its 50th anniversary on St. Thomas, the Chugani's continue to be part of the rich legacy that makes St. Thomas a premier destination set in the midst of tropical splendor. “We want to thank all our family and friends for your trust and support throughout the years. Alongside our professional staff, this is a wonderful milestone to reach and we are extremely proud of our history and heritage, and the location that has allowed us to meet individuals who’ve become loyal customers and friends throughout the years.  Our philosophy of providing outstanding merchandise paired with superb customer service all adds to the experience of being a House of Rajah customer”. The House of Rajah family looks forward to accommodating future clients with the same promise of honesty, quality and dedication that the establishment stands for.