House of Rajah's 5-decade Legacy

Celebrating Love and Legacy on St.Thomas

House of Rajah still shining as 50th anniversary approaches

Celebrating almost 50 years in business, Gobind “George” Chugani and his wife KC are continuing the House of Rajah legacy .

Some know him as Gobind. Others know him as “George.” It’s easy to assume that nickname is because the popular local jeweler bears a resemblance to Alist actor George Clooney. But that is not the genesis of his secondary moniker.

Its roots lie in his parents’ migration to the United States from India. “An American friend of my father’s offered to sponsor my parents to the U.S. in 1965. They had just gotten married. He advised them to open a business and join volunteer clubs to build up a reputable customer base in America. My parents eventually moved to Louisville, KY, where I was born. My father’s friend became my godparent and hence gave me the name George.”

Chugani is the proprietor of a popular downtown jewelry boutique. House of Rajah can be found steps off of Main Street on Raadet’s Gade. “House of Rajah was established in 1973 by my parents. We have one store and we have been in that same location for over 49 years,” says Chugani.

His parents came to St. Thomas in 1973 from Hong Kong and India. “My father, Victor, was very familiar with the duty-free business as it was a very similar system in Hong Kong. He decided to take advantage of his knowledge and establish House of Rajah Jewelers in downtown Charlotte Amalie. Back in the ‘70s, cruise ships used to carry 200-400 guests. I also remember there were minimal street lights back then. It was a very simple and different world back then.”

Now House of Rajah is a destination for both cruise passengers and overnight visitors alike. “We take pride that we will be celebrating 50 years next year. That says a lot about House of Rajah Jewelers and our team. I really have to say we have built up a network of resources with jewelers around the world who have worked with us throughout the years with the best quality and prices. We then pass those savings to our customers so we can give them the best price possible. We listen to our clients’ needs and wants so we can make that perfect piece of jewelry they have always envisioned and dreamed of. We also sell highend designer pieces at a much more reasonable price. That’s become our niche.”

Chugani’s curiosity and interest in jewelry started early. “As a child I always had an interest in watches and jewelry. Over the years, my interest grew more and more as I began to travel the world and see and learn about different gemstones and time pieces,” he said. “As a jeweler, I keep up with the current trends and continue to bring in the finest pieces of jewelry from different parts of the world, especially what’s new In the market. With the evergrowing social media such as

Facebook and Instagram, I find that we definitely have to evolve as a jeweler each year to keep up with styles and trends, which sets us apart from other jewelers.” As they are for many Caribbean jewelers, repeat customer are the setting upon which his business is mounted. “We make sure we give every client that comes through our door the personal attention they need. Most of our clients become friends and family when they leave. And we pride ourselves as ‘The Best After Sales Customer Service.’

For Chugani, the shining gem in his life is his lovely wife of 28 years, KC. “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. We continued our long-distance relationship till I grew the nerve to ask her to be my wife. We planned a beautiful Caribbean wedding in St. Thomas.”

“We immediately worked together to start designing pieces together and with her vision and artistic talents, we developed a collection of long and short necklaces and bracelets with and without gems that women can stack and be creative with their pieces. We are blessed with two beautiful children.” Chugani’s appeal goes beyond the pieces in his jewelry cases. He also loves to sell the USVI and often dons a concierge persona to tell customers about the best island experiences. “I love St. Thomas, and this is my home. I’ve been living here for 49 years and it has made me embrace all the aspects of the island. From the beautiful tropical beaches to the specialty restaurants and wine bars, St. Thomas and St. John have something to offer for everyone. There are many boat excursions to choose from -- snorkeling, parasailing, scuba diving and jet skiing. The pristine blue ocean is our backyard and I love it. The beauty of this island is that you get to know everyone personally and that’s what I love about it.” As the business approaches its 50th anniversary, the Chuganis continue to be part of the rich legacy that makes St. Thomas a jewelry destination set in the midst of tropical splendor. “We just want to thank all our House of Rajah family and friends for supporting our business throughout the 50 years we’ve been opened. This is a wonderful milestone to reach and we are very proud of it and we thank each and every one of you who have been a part of it.”