Costco for engagement ring?

[stephentross]

Originally Posted by Rolex Dude

its a scary thing to see how much of an influence marketing can have on ones perception.

X's 3

While Rolex makes a fine watch, they have done perhaps the best job of any company in history in marketing what is in reality a mass produced product as a true luxury item.

Keep in mind that in luxury items, like high end watches, cost and price are rarely directly linked. This is true in everything luxury

I am finding it hard to believe you guys are all saying a diamond is a diamond and not a watch is a watch. What is the difference?

[daveathall]

It's really all down to what the wife/GF likes, if the one she likes is in Cosco then that's the one. If she has seen one in Tiffany's that she likes I would not dream of saying "lets go to Cosco, they have similar but cheaper in price". I would not buy my wife a ring without her being present to confirm that she likes it.

[stephentross]

Originally Posted by padi56

Looks like you are a Tiffany man myself will always buy cheaper if the product is the almost same quality.Just cannot see the point in paying almost $10000 more for almost the same quality stone that while on the finger know one would know the difference.Its like all designer products today you pay a high price for the name but the product is not always better.

Come on now, Padi.. Look at your wrist and tell me you don't like a quality product based off of historical reputation.

And to the OP - This was a fun thread. The Engagement ring is a symbol of commitment. Nothing more. The quality of the stone is more for us guys to talk about on watch forums. Symbols of love are exactly that. Symbols. The value of the stone probably never will come into play as you will probably never sell it anyway. Not sure how this culture of big diamonds started. But I do dislike luxury and commitment being tied together. My grandparents each had gold bands and lived happy for over 50 years.

Congrats again.

[Kobayashi]

Take the Pepsi Challenge:

Place two diamonds on the table, one from Costco another from De Beers, Tiffany, etc. Ask 100 people and see if they can tell the difference and which item they prefer.

Cheers!

[Ferdelious]

I may be one of the biggest Costco fans there is. I purchased my wife's engagement ring from the Rolex AD where my family bought most of our watches. This was before there was a Costco locally to me. I recently had my watches and her ring insured and I purposely under-insured her ring from what I paid because I know if something happens I can find one much cheaper at Costco. Personally I don't think it should matter where a diamond came from as long as it is quality and I can assure Costco isn't buying bad stones. They make money on membership fees not product margins. If your fiance would be embarrassed to tell someone where the ring came from maybe she shouldn't acquaint with that person. Life's too short to worry about the small stuff. Just my 2 cents.

[Boopie]

If it's a real diamond, the retailer's name shouldn't matter.

[s14roller]

OP - there's some fair advice in this thread and I agree, but part of the allure of the engagement is telling the story. I love Costco, but wouldn't be getting a stone from them.

Tiffany's is great. I agree, for someone who doesn't want to dig in ultra deep into specs (beyond just the 4Cs), Tiffany's you can be assured you will get a top stone, albeit the premium in price.

With that said, the cuts on an average Tiffany stone are near the top, but not the absolute top. I have helped consulted diamond specs for a few years now and there is a science on how all the different cut parameters within a stone work and what ultimately will reflect the most light. When I first started working with my whole seller, she couldn't believe there would be a difference, but clients clearly see it when they compare diamonds (and for baseline, I would take them to Tiffany's as well).

Think of it like being shown a Ferrari 458 and then being shown a 458 Speciale...the base car on it's own will look stunning...when shown the Speciale, side by side, you notice maybe just an extra something.

[SUBversive]

Just don't give it to her with a gift receipt.

[bondtoys]

Even if a diamond has a GIA certificate, it's important what is written there.

People, don't go with color and clarity, all what counts is the 4th C: Symmetry, proportions and how well the cut has been executed.

'excellent' in all 3 fields and you have the nicest brilliant imaginable!

[rolio]

I've found that when we are talking about women and diamonds, it would be wise to be ever so careful, my friend. At least, that's been my experience.

[jmiicustomz]

Pawn shops can save you a fortune. I have a beautiful dinner ring ( be it large) full of diamonds and emeralds that we have an appraisal for over $7k and we are asking$1299. A few months back one of my regular customers bought a beautiful diamond and ruby tennis bracelet from me for $1300 out the door cash and had it appraised at a touch over 9k.

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[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by stephentross

What is the difference?

A diamond of exceptional cut, etc. is essentially identical to another diamond of equivalently exceptional cut and quality. It doesn't matter where it is sourced. GIA doesn't cerifty diamonds per se, they grade them. GIA certification is no guarantee of anything other than how the diamond is graded. You could get a horrible quality GIA graded diamond, but the report will indicate its poor quality if you understand how to read it. It is all there, angles, table size, culet, symmetry, girdle width, etc. Thats why you go to a dealer and have them source exactly what you want. One can get the highest quality diamond from Tiffany, Cartier, Harry Winston, etc. BUT you absolutey can get equivalently cut (etc.) diamonds from diamond dealers. Though you probably won't find them at zales or Jarod or Costco. You have to find a specialist and review the reports yourself with them.
I have done this a few times and while you certainly pay a premium for the highest quality, it is still cheaper than the Tiffany counter.
To suggest that they offer something that is not available elsewhere, at significant savings, is just not correct.
Having said that, they make some lovely jewelry and I have bought from all 3 of the above, but NOT for large diamonds.
And as an aside, I think the whole diamond market is an appalling scam and won't be buying any more diamonds other than accent stones. One can get truly rare show stopper gems for much less than show stopper diamond pricing.
Some people refuse to buy a Rolex from our grey market dealers preferring to only go to an AD. that's fine too.
A proper analogy would not be Rolex and timex, it would be a DateJust from DavidSW, Mosco, and the AD.

[jmiicustomz]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

A diamond of exceptional cut, etc. is essentially identical to another diamond of equivalently exceptional cut and quality. It doesn't matter where it is sourced. GIA doesn't cerifty diamonds per se, they grade them. GIA certification is no guarantee of anything other than how the diamond is graded. You could get a horrible quality GIA graded diamond, but the report will indicate its poor quality if you understand how to read it. It is all there, angles, table size, culet, symmetry, girdle width, etc. Thats why you go to a dealer and have them source exactly what you want. One can get the highest quality diamond from Tiffany, Cartier, Harry Winston, etc. BUT you absolutey can get equivalently cut (etc.) diamonds from diamond dealers. Though you probably won't find them at zales or Jarod or Costco. You have to find a specialist and review the reports yourself with them.
I have done this a few times and while you certainly pay a premium for the highest quality, it is still cheaper than the Tiffany counter.
To suggest that they offer something that is not available elsewhere, at significant savings, is just not correct.
Having said that, they make some lovely jewelry and I have bought from all 3 of the above, but NOT for large diamonds.
And as an aside, I think the whole diamond market is an appalling scam and won't be buying any more diamonds other than accent stones. One can get truly rare show stopper gems for much less than show stopper diamond pricing.
Some people refuse to buy a Rolex from our grey market dealers preferring to only go to an AD. that's fine too.
A proper analogy would not be Rolex and timex, it would be a DateJust from DavidSW, Mosco, and the AD.

Well put as the diamond market is artificially inflated and there are far rarer and prettier stones to be had at in many cases better prices. Also be careful of lab created stones from places like zales, freedmans, Kay, etc as they are diamonds but are like cultured pearls vs natural ones and have NO resale value.

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[bondtoys]

Originally Posted by jmiicustomz

but are like cultured pearls vs natural ones and have NO resale value.

You may want to rethink that statement.

Cultured pearls bear significant value, natural pearls are almost impossible to get in sizes and constant colors for a considerable pearl chain.

If you are talking about cultured pearls vs. immitation pearls, your analogy gets closer.

[locutus49]

My wife wanted diamond studs from Cartier and I could not use logic in persuading her otherwise. Such is life.

[s14roller]

Originally Posted by bondtoys

Even if a diamond has a GIA certificate, it's important what is written there.

People, don't go with color and clarity, all what counts is the 4th C: Symmetry, proportions and how well the cut has been executed.

'excellent' in all 3 fields and you have the nicest brilliant imaginable!

I agree cut is the most important. Triple Ex will ensure it's a nice stone, although within there, it can be narrowed down further.

[jmiicustomz]

Originally Posted by bondtoys

You may want to rethink that statement.

Cultured pearls bear significant value, natural pearls are almost impossible to get in sizes and constant colors for a considerable pearl chain.

If you are talking about cultured pearls vs. immitation pearls, your analogy gets closer.

Its my experience that any pearls are hard to move on the wholesale market as the market for pearls seems to be far softer than that of most other jewelry. And with gold still high (not as high as it was) the jewelry market itself seems a rough place to be if you don't have a solid clientele with deep pockets

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[bondtoys]

Your statement was that cultured pearls have no resale value and that is wrong.

[jmiicustomz]

Originally Posted by bondtoys

Your statement was that cultured pearls have no resale value and that is wrong.

And side by side with natural pearls they don't. At least in my experience

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[scottIN]

So Friday night we stop by Costco to get a few things & she walks over to the Jewelry counter. Starts pointing out ones she likes. Here's the best part: the one she liked were the exact same style as the one I had picked out - just smaller stones. So, I'm on the right track, now just have to decide if I go with the larger stone or the smaller one she picked out.

Ring shopping + great deals on ketchup, ranch dressing & Rice Krispie Squares! Then off to Nordstrom's to try on high heels (which, honestly...I kinda liked!). What a Friday night!

[Baco Noir]

Originally Posted by scottIN

So Friday night we stop by Costco to get a few things & she walks over to the Jewelry counter. Starts pointing out ones she likes. Here's the best part: the one she liked were the exact same style as the one I had picked out - just smaller stones. So, I'm on the right track, now just have to decide if I go with the larger stone or the smaller one she picked out.

Ring shopping + great deals on ketchup, ranch dressing & Rice Krispie Squares! Then off to Nordstrom's to try on high heels (which, honestly...I kinda liked!). What a Friday night!

I'd say don't sacrifice cut and clarity for carat. I'd also say, don't tell the guys at work you were trying on high heels at Nordstroms!

[scottIN]

Originally Posted by Baco Noir

I'd say don't sacrifice cut and clarity for carat. I'd also say, don't tell the guys at work you were trying on high heels at Nordstroms!

LOL! Guess I should have read that closer. Watch HER try on heels...

[vitalsignsrn]

High heels make nice earrings.

Scott...you're on the right track all right.

[jmiicustomz]

Heels will make your calves look sexy lol

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[subtona]

Costco seems to have a range to fit ones needs no matter what the specifications...curious if most have been to the website?


http://www.costco.com/ProductDisplay...umber=11747719


http://www.costco.com/all-rings.html...b14383%2b11463

[TopNotchChach]

Do it! Then go treat yourself to some samples in the food area.

[shnxx]

i got mine from Harry Winston.

of course i got ripped off but most nice things are ripoffs.

[BomB#Frog]

I did the whole research regarding stones when I got married. I guess either way you slice it diamonds are not good investments (barring rare investment grade stones). So I guess I take the luxury watch perspective on this matter. They are not "worth" what we pay. It all comes down to purchasing a feeling. If she wants a Tiffany ring and it gives her the warm and fuzzys, get a Tiffany. If she just wants a certain style and grade of diamond go with that. Just buy her what she wants really.