Thoughts on this Costco necklace?

[chrissywu1128]

I'm looking for thoughts on this diamond necklace from Costco.

http://www.costco.com/Round-Brilliant-1.00-ctw-VS2-Clarity%2c-I-Color-Diamond-14kt-White-Gold-Necklace.product.100128053.html

I've browsed WF, BGD, etc and didn't see anything I really liked in my price range (under $2000). And I'd like to be able to just click to buy with reasonable confidence versus work with a vendor to design something. I support Costco as a company in general but haven't bought fine jewelry there before. So I'm hoping you guys can take a look and let me know what you think! Thanks!

 

[ecf8503]

Are you looking for comments on diamond cut quality? Because there is no way to say. It says in the description it is guaranteed to be at least I/VS2 by "industry standards", which may or may not be the same as GIA's color and clarity standards. But there is no mention of cut quality.

It's a unique look, and if you love it it's worth looking at I think. I don't think you'd be able to reproduce that look for under 2k with a PS vendor. And the return policy sounds reasonable as well.

 

[chrissywu1128]

Do you think cut quality is important in a piece like this?

I do like the style of the necklace. But when I think more, I'm a little concerned it might not be very timeless and I will tire of it over time. So in that case something simpler could be safer. Unsure...

Out of curiosity, if you had $2000 (MAX, ideally $1500) to spend on an anniversary diamond pendant, what would you get? I'd love to hear ideas from you diamond lovers.

 

[ennui]

Out of curiosity, if you had $2000 (MAX, ideally $1500) to spend on an anniversary diamond pendant, what would you get? I'd love to hear ideas from you diamond lovers.

I'd get the best, simple solitaire that I could afford. No halo, just a good stone, set in six or four prongs, in gold. That's about as timeless as it gets.

I think you could get a very nice pendant for $1500. I've read here that a pendant diamond is more forgiving than a ring, so you can play around with color a little bit.

 

[FancyIntense]

I don't love the necklace from Costco and it must be tiny in person.

This is a necklace in your price range by a trusted vendor on here, Diamonds by Lauren. You can even reduce this price by 5% by wire transfer and if you don't live in New York, no sales tax on top of that! DBL has other necklaces as well. This is a timeless style.

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/diamond-necklace-49ct-round-billiant-center-diamond-by-the-yard

 

[rubybeth]

I also agree that this style may not be timeless, and cut quality definitely matters. As for what I would choose, I think a solitaire is probably the most timeless, and I love the Barbara pendant from Brian Gavin. I'd get the largest stone possible in this setting: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond-pendants/the-barbara-pendant-18k-white-gold-5352w18 Like this Brian Gavin Blue (half carat): http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.503-k-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104080115012

 

[tyty333]

I also vote for a timeless solitaire! I would go down to an eye-clean SI1/I,J,K depending if you are trying to eek out size or not.
JA options
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.60-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-568496 higher clarity than needed
but AGS000 stone

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.71-carat-k-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-569688 a K if you want larger
(ask them if it's eye-clean)

http://www.jamesallen.com/pendants/design-your-own-pendant/18k-white-gold-4-prong-wire-basket-solitaire-pendant-setting-item-16979

 

[Red_Velvette]

I saw a similar necklace in my Costco several weeks ago and loved it. It was around $6000. though. It was so pretty!

 

[MollyMalone]

I'm guessing that -- because you didn't ask us for our views on either a solitaire necklace or a diamond-by-the-yard one (styles that Costco offers as well) -- that you'd rather have something different

I really dislike these kinds of stylized "photographs" that are so typical of jewelry sites, including those that are more high end than Costco, because they do not fairly represent real life. But based on what I can make out and the paucity of information re the diamonds themselves, I'm concerned about how much metal you'd see in the "pave" halos around the 5 stones, might cheapen the overall effect. But it would be easy enough to return it, if you don't care for it upon seeing it in person.

Would you consider bezel-set diamonds, something like this:
http://idjewelry.com/diamond-bezel-necklace-7733.html

 

[jerichosmom]

I would spend $1000 on the best, sparkliest diamond I could find, and the remaining $1000 on JbG's convertible pendant/bangle setting (the diamond can screw into either setting so you can wear it either way). That way, you get a two for one!

 

[chrissywu1128]

Thanks for all the replies!

I guess the reason I'm a little intimidated by buying a solitaire is that I would feel more pressure to get the "best diamond" for my money. And the idea of searching for that is overwhelming and almost sucks the fun out of the purchase. Do I sound crazy for saying that? I know it's probably an enjoyable hobby for many of you. But for me, it's intimidating. Buyers remorse and all that...which is why something premade/preset that is "sparkly enough" would be easier for me to pull the trigger on.

This one seems more timeless: http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-pendants/tandem-3-stone-diamond-pendant-145.htm

Thoughts? Will it be tiny?

 

[chrissywu1128]

@mollymalone: I really like that 3 diamond bezel one actually. But when I click the link, it's broken. I wonder if it's no longer in stock?

 

[MollyMalone]

I'm sorry, I would swear I checked the link via the Preview function before actually posting. Let's try this:

* the .75 tcw version listed for a little less than $1300:
http://idjewelry.com/jewelry/necklaces/diamond-necklaces/diamond-bezel-necklace-7767.html

* the 1.0 tcw version for about $1000 more:
http://idjewelry.com/jewelry/necklaces/diamond-necklaces/diamond-bezel-necklace-7769.html

Since these are stock pieces, you could return the necklace within 30 days for a complete refund:
http://idjewelry.com/shipping/

 

[VRBeauty]

Not sure why MM's links aren't working - let's try again:

http://idjewelry.com/jewelry/necklaces/diamond-necklaces/diamond-bezel-necklace-7780.html (this necklace is available in white, yellow, or rose gold)

The slightly larger version: http://idjewelry.com/jewelry/necklaces/diamond-necklaces/diamond-bezel-necklace-7781.html

I think these are lovely! They're simple and classical, and should stand the test of time. But - if I were going for a classical look diamond necklace, I'd probably get a diamond solitaire pendant... I think you get more flash bang for your buck with a single larger diamond than three smaller ones. Or I'd get a or a diamonds-by-the-yard necklace. Someone here also got a beautiful more pave-type pendant from IDJ - I'll see whether I can find it...

 

[MollyMalone]

I don't know why the links seem to "die" after more than a few minutes. But here's the page (I hope) with all the bezel-set diamond necklaces:
http://idjewelry.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=diamond+bezel+necklace

If that doesn't work, type diamond bezel necklace into the Search box at the top of the home page:
http://idjewelry.com

 

[chrissywu1128]

Cool thanks! I was able to find the necklace on the site. How do you think the IDJewelry one compares to the WF one in terms of diamond quality, meaning does lower quality make a big difference in diamonds this size on a necklace (versus ring)?

 

[MollyMalone]

Safe to assume the 2 smaller "A Cut Above" melee stones, which flank the WF "Expert Selection" center stone, are going to be of higher caliber than the 2 smaller stones in the stock, IDJ necklace. Think most here will opine the the Expert Selection, WF center stone (H in color, SI in clarity) will be better cut than IDJ's G-H, SI center stone, but I don't know if any PSer has done a "head to head" comparison of such, approx. .37 ct stones.

You could ask IDJ to quote you a price for "Pricescope quality" diamonds in that same necklace design, and while you're at it, ask how much more it would be for the finer (i.e., thinner) bezels. The downside to going that route, however, is that (I assume) it then becomes a non-refundable, custom order.

One drawback imo to WF's stock Tandem necklace (other than the fact that I'm not wild about the mounting) is that the chain is only 16" long, which is impractically short for me. They say to call for prices on longer chains; it's not clear from the web site if getting the Tandem on a longer chain converts it into a non-refundable custom order, so that's something to ask WF about if you too would like a longer chain.

 

[Stone Hunter]

I prefer the ID necklace because it seems less dressy. It looks like something you could wear everyday. Please update the thread with what you decide!