How did this end up at Costco?

[atp223]

My apologies if this has been covered already...

But...what?

http://www.costco.com/Browse/ProductSet.aspx?Prodid=11756695&search=DIAMOND0321&Sp=S&Mo=12&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price%7C1%7C%7CP_SignDesc1&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=DIAMOND0321&Ntt=DIAMOND0321&ec=1&No=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

 

[MissStepcut]

Eh, why not? Lots of high net worth people shop at Costco.

 

[TravelingGal]

Eh, why not? Lots of high net worth people shop at Costco.

Costco's targeted demographic is upper middle class. And this makes sense to me...at Costco, the theme is to buy in bulk. Why buy 1 carat, when you can buy 18?

 

[iLander]

I returned it . . .





No, seriously, Costco might look unpretentious but they are one of the biggest, most respected retailers in the country. I work with a lot of manufacturers who would give their eye teeth to be in Costco. ONE store can do $300 MILLION in one year, which is more than most companies do. That is serious stuff, don't underestimate them. They have the clout and the resources to sell a big pink diamond.

 

[atp223]

Oh don't get me wrong, I totally shop at Costco (hence why I was on their website)! I just would have thought fancier places would have been fighting for that guy!

But all the comments make sense...particularly the one about buying in bulk .

 

[Enerchi]

I returned it . . .

Good one!

I guess it makes sense - high turnover, high flow of traffic... but if I was going for an 18 ct diamond, gotta say, Costco would not be my online vendor of choice... Just sayin'!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Thanks for returning it--I snapped it up!

cheers--Sharon

 

[Amys Bling]

HI:

Thanks for returning it--I snapped it up!

cheers--Sharon

haha

 

[Amys Bling]

I returned it . . .

Good one!

I guess it makes sense - high turnover, high flow of traffic... but if I was going for an 18 ct diamond, gotta say, Costco would not be my online vendor of choice... Just sayin'!

I believe they have lifetime returns with receipt

 

[Gypsy]

If it was a GIA stone I'd be more impressed.

I love Costco though.

 

[atp223]

If it was a GIA stone I'd be more impressed.

I love Costco though.

It had a GIA cert too! I initially thought the same thing bc I saw the IGI stuff, but the GIA certif is linked right next to it...

 

[iLander]

If it was a GIA stone I'd be more impressed.

I love Costco though.

It's GIA, you can click on the report, little seal on the right.

Internally flawless, 17 mm x 17 mm. Just the size I was looking for . . . for a drawer pull.

Somebody analyze it for me, since I never go to RT; any good?

 

[kenny]

Faint pink is GIA's least-pink grade of nine grades.

I really wonder if the pink is even detectable by mortal human eyes.

 

[Lotus99]

I <3 Costco. They often have some fairly expensive rings on their site.

I've bought quite a bit of gold jewelry from them, and I've been happy. Now I'm wondering if I can return the bracelet I bought from them. I've worn it 24/7 for about six years straight, and it's a little misshapen.

 

[Enerchi]

Just cruising the yellow diamond page... they have some pretty appealing pieces there! I really never would have thought to purchase jewelry here.
Lotus - did you purchase anything other than gold items?

 

[amc80]

Just cruising the yellow diamond page... they have some pretty appealing pieces there! I really never would have thought to purchase jewelry here.
Lotus - did you purchase anything other than gold items?

I have diamond studs from Costco and they are really nice.

 

[VRBeauty]

And that's precisely why I don't have a Costco membership.

I always end up buying more than I intended to!

 

[Gypsy]

With a GIA certificate nontheless. Why would they post it's IGI when they also have GIA? Weird.

Nice stone. 17mm. WOW.

I can't imagine wearing it. Unless it was in a BIG crown or tiara. But around my neck on on my hand, nope.

Drawer pull has merit.

 

[Lotus99]

Lotus - did you purchase anything other than gold items?

No, just gold items. I think about half a dozen pairs of earrings, a necklace and a bracelet. The quality is pretty good for the price, IMO.

I would consider buying gemstone or diamond jewelry from them, though.

It's one of the few stores I get get my SO to visit, and he prefers me picking out what I want. He's really scared he will buy something I hate.

 

[kenny]

With a GIA certificate nontheless. Why would they post it's IGI when they also have GIA? Weird.

For less-informed buyers.
Unlike GIA, IGI gives a value estimate which I'd guess is important to shoppers who aren't aware the IGI "value" is BS.

 

[JewelFreak]

I've bought gold jewelry there too, mostly for gifts. At the store here, the jewelry case is right near by the entrance & I always give it a long investigation when I go in. Haven't bought anything with stones but have been tempted.

I wish they sold settings! Wondered if prices for their lab-created things are cheap enough to justify buying one & using the setting for stones I have around here waiting for homes.

Cabinet pull? I'd use that diamond for a doorknob!

--- Laurie

 

[Skippy123]

I bought a diamond pendant there! I like it!

I saw some 20/20 show or something like that Dateline? Anyway they say their average shopper makes 80k a year so like TGal said it makes sense they are selling diamonds too!

I have seen Cartier watches there

 

[kenny]

I've bought gold jewelry there too, mostly for gifts. At the store here, the jewelry case is right near by the entrance & I always give it a long investigation when I go in.

Me too.
I get a kick out of the lighting of their diamond cases.
It's rows of tiny LED dots built into all four sides of the upper frame of the glass case, and boy it really works.

Imagine the disappointment when they take a ring out for someone.
They must be, like, Hey! what happened?
- though Costco's lights are quite blingy too.

 

[iLander]

I've purchased a lot of diamond and colored stone jewelry at Costco, I find it's a great value when compared to jewelry stores.

This is why I like it;

ALL their diamonds, even the tiny ones, are I color or better, or VS or better. Even the micro-pave stuff. Compared to the junk at most jewelry stores, this is great stuff. A couple of my friends have their diamond tennis bracelets, and the sparkly is amazing.

Their fancy colored diamond selection is limited because they stick to these specs even for FCD's. There are not a lot of VS yellows or pinks, in general.

The bigger diamonds, 1/2 carat or more, come with a GIA certificate, and if you wander around the website, you'll find that they sell plenty of D, IF's or whatever else you'd like.

I can return any piece at any time, if I have the little "appraisal" piece of paper that it comes with it (I don't need the store receipt). The appraisal has a photo of the piece so the employees can identify it. I've returned a bracelet with a loose clasp after 3 years, no questions asked.

I can order online, it comes in 3 days, if I don't like it, I return it to the local store. No problem. I've done this for colored stone items a couple of times.

Sometimes I "upgrade". I bought an aquamarine and diamond ring, a year later they had a blingier one, so I returned the one, added some $$, and bought the new one.

What's not to love?

 

[iLander]

I've bought gold jewelry there too, mostly for gifts. At the store here, the jewelry case is right near by the entrance & I always give it a long investigation when I go in.

Me too.
I get a kick out of the lighting of their diamond cases.
It's rows of tiny LED dots built into all four sides of the upper frame of the glass case, and boy it really works.

Imagine the disappointment when they take a ring out for someone.
They must be, like, Hey! what happened?
- though Costco's lights are quite blingy too.

Like jewelry stores, no?

When I used to shop at jewelry stores (not for years now), I would take the pieces (and a salesman) outside and the drop off in sparkle was truly sad.

 

[steelmagnolia]

Costco is also one of the few places my jewelry averse husband will look at things with me. He never has any kind of opinion but has been known to actually stop and point out pieces he likes or thinks I would. Strange. I wouldn't be surprised, if he were the type to buy me surprise jewelry, to find that he got it from there.

As to the lighting, I agree its spectacular. I've also heard that many of the large stones in the case are actually CZ and they don't keep the diamonds in house?

ETA: I just took a look at a wedding band I've been searching for here http://www.costco.com/Browse/ProductSet.aspx?Prodid=11288131&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|108|28447|56576&N=4017522&Mo=31&pos=5&No=26&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=56576&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC10573-Cat28447&topnav=

It's done with a hand pulled platinum wire, no casting, correct? Then all the diamonds are hand set according to the blurb. They also note that "We guarantee that all diamonds supplied by Costco Wholesale are as follows: Clarity to be "VS2" or better and color to be "I" or better as outlined on the industry grading guide". I still have a *lot* to learn about diamonds and jewelry in general, but I'd feel better knowing my DH bought from Costco for this than a mall store, and that'd be most likely what he'd do if he didn't inform me first what he was up to.

 

[iLander]

Costco is also one of the few places my jewelry averse husband will look at things with me. He never has any kind of opinion but has been known to actually stop and point out pieces he likes or thinks I would. Strange. I wouldn't be surprised, if he were the type to buy me surprise jewelry, to find that he got it from there.

As to the lighting, I agree its spectacular. I've also heard that many of the large stones in the case are actually CZ and they don't keep the diamonds in house?

ETA: I just took a look at a wedding band I've been searching for here http://www.costco.com/Browse/ProductSet.aspx?Prodid=11288131&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|108|28447|56576&N=4017522&Mo=31&pos=5&No=26&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=56576&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC10573-Cat28447&topnav=

It's done with a hand pulled platinum wire, no casting, correct? Then all the diamonds are hand set according to the blurb. They also note that "We guarantee that all diamonds supplied by Costco Wholesale are as follows: Clarity to be "VS2" or better and color to be "I" or better as outlined on the industry grading guide". I still have a *lot* to learn about diamonds and jewelry in general, but I'd feel better knowing my DH bought from Costco for this than a mall store, and that'd be most likely what he'd do if he didn't inform me first what he was up to.

The link doesn't work, it might have sold.

Also, if you didn't like what your DH bought, you could return it, even months later. Try doing that at a mall store.

 

[Dancing Fire]

The bigger diamonds, 1/2 carat or more, come with a GIA certificate, and if you wander around the website, you'll find that they sell plenty of D, IF's or whatever else you'd like.

our local Costco's 1ct and under are graded by IGI...

 

[iLander]

The bigger diamonds, 1/2 carat or more, come with a GIA certificate, and if you wander around the website, you'll find that they sell plenty of D, IF's or whatever else you'd like.

our local Costco's 1ct and under are graded by IGI...

Come to think of it, I think you're right DF, I believe it has to be above a carat.