MIAMI, Dec. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — The Caribbean islands devastated by Hurricane Irma are slowly recovering, but still in crucial need of ongoing resources. Experts say it could take years, even decades before the affected regions can fully rebuild, and that the initial relief funding will not run the course.

In response, Caribbean luxury retailer Diamonds International is raising awareness and financial support through the ‘Help rebuild theCaribbean‘ relief effort this holiday season, and tapping into its extremely high-volume traffic from tourists and cruise ship passengers to help.

In 2016, 24.7 million people cruised, and the Caribbean region was by far the most travelled to destination, accounting for 50% of overall international travel according to CLIA, the Cruise Lines International Association.

Albert Gad, Chairman & CEO of Diamonds International is calling on visitors to the Caribbean to help by giving back this holiday season.  With 125 retail locations across 26 Caribbean islands, Diamonds International is the leading diamond & fine jewelry retailer in the Caribbean tax & duty-free market.

“We experienced Hurricane Irma’s devastation first-hand; 80% of the Diamonds International family lives in the affected regions, and many of them were directly impacted. We are so thankful that our employees and company survived, but the need is still strong,” says Albert Gad. “We all love the Caribbean, millions of people visit regularly and it’s time to give back. This is our way of giving back to the important people and countries that helped us grow into what Diamonds International is today.”

For $10, shoppers will receive two collectible Diamonds International Charity Charms that are unique to each Caribbean islands, and a complimentary Diamonds International charm bracelet. 100% of Charity Charm sales are donated directly to GlobalGiving, a global leader in disaster relief & recovery with more than 3,000 vetted local partners on-the-ground in over 170 countries.

Donations can be made atwww.globalgiving.org/diamondsinternational until January 5, 2018. Charity Charms must be picked up in-store at any Diamonds International location.

About Diamonds International:
Established in 1988, Diamonds International is the leading luxury retailer in the Caribbean tax & duty-free market. With 125 retail locations across 26 Caribbean islands, South Florida, Mexico, and Alaska, Diamonds International serves millions of tourists, cruise ship passengers, and locals every year with an unrivaled selection of diamonds, exotic gemstones, fine jewelry, and watch brands. Sourcing directly from the mines, Diamonds International is a De Beers Siteholder and supports ethical mine-to-market practices. Diamonds International is the exclusive retailer of the US-patented Crown of Light diamond and rare Safi Kilima Tanzanite brands. For 30 years, Diamonds International remains privately-held and family-run with corporate offices in New York’s prestigious diamond district and Miami. www.diamondsinternational.com.

IMAGE: The iconic Diamonds International charm bracelet and collectible island-inspired charms have been a favorite Caribbean keepsake with Cruise ship travelers for 20 years. Over 1 million charm bracelets are given out annually.