Comments on: Is it OK if Your Bling Bling comes from Costco? http://www.askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/ Latest Credit Card News, Reviews and Information Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:22:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Vancity http://www.askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-82500 Vancity Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:10:26 +0000 http://askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-82500 My hubby and I did LOTS of research prior to buying our rings and Costco far surpasses the quality and price of any other jeweller that we found. We have a million other ways that we could spend the money that we saved and I still have a rock!! Also, when we ordered our ring online, the ring we were sent was bigger and better quality than the listing and we weren't charged for it. I highly recommend it, it just makes sense. My hubby and I did LOTS of research prior to buying our rings and Costco far surpasses the quality and price of any other jeweller that we found. We have a million other ways that we could spend the money that we saved and I still have a rock!! Also, when we ordered our ring online, the ring we were sent was bigger and better quality than the listing and we weren’t charged for it. I highly recommend it, it just makes sense.

]]> By: Candybee http://www.askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-81991 Candybee Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:12:34 +0000 http://askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-81991 Why WOULDN'T you want a ring from Costco??? Ask yourself - are you willing to pay thousands more for your ring to come in a tiny blue box?? I attended a marketing conference recently and the speaker said that the Tiffany box is the most expensive piece of cardboard you will ever buy! No offense to Tiffany - I have a few of their pieces but... I would much rather have something twice the size (without sacrificing quality!) from Costco! In fact, I INSISTED that my ring come from there! Costco has VERY strict standards when it comes to diamonds! Their standards are much higher than many other retailers. Years ago, I wouldn't have considered Costco for diamonds - but then one of my colleagues (a prominent medical professional) informed me that Costco diamonds often appraise for more than DOUBLE their purchase price!! If you feel that people will think less of you because your ring is from Costco, then simply tell them you're not sure where it's from ... or that he had it made for you (Costco does that too). Besides, isn't it a bit tacky to ask WHERE someone's ring is from? Why WOULDN’T you want a ring from Costco??? Ask yourself - are you willing to pay thousands more for your ring to come in a tiny blue box?? I attended a marketing conference recently and the speaker said that the Tiffany box is the most expensive piece of cardboard you will ever buy! No offense to Tiffany - I have a few of their pieces but… I would much rather have something twice the size (without sacrificing quality!) from Costco! In fact, I INSISTED that my ring come from there!

Costco has VERY strict standards when it comes to diamonds! Their standards are much higher than many other retailers. Years ago, I wouldn’t have considered Costco for diamonds - but then one of my colleagues (a prominent medical professional) informed me that Costco diamonds often appraise for more than DOUBLE their purchase price!! If you feel that people will think less of you because your ring is from Costco, then simply tell them you’re not sure where it’s from … or that he had it made for you (Costco does that too).

Besides, isn’t it a bit tacky to ask WHERE someone’s ring is from?

]]> By: Joseph C http://www.askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-81127 Joseph C Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:38:01 +0000 http://askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-81127 Long story short, when my wife and I were first dating, I jokingly told her I'd buy her jewelry from Costco -- to which she replied that I was to never buy her jewelry from Costco. Fast forward a couple of years, when it came time to be engaged, we decided to look for the engagement diamong and ring together. We looked high and low - from the daily radio-advertised "engagement ring store" to the Tiffany's and other high-end retailers at the upscale mall in town. Where did we end up? Costco. They had the BEST looking stone amongst all stores - even better than what we saw at Tiffany's. We actually kept looking after our visit to Costco, and two weeks later, we still liked theirs the best. Four years later, she still gets compliments on the ring. It's a 1.6 carat - but it often gets mistaken for a 2 carat because it looks so good! Long story short, when my wife and I were first dating, I jokingly told her I’d buy her jewelry from Costco — to which she replied that I was to never buy her jewelry from Costco.

Fast forward a couple of years, when it came time to be engaged, we decided to look for the engagement diamong and ring together. We looked high and low - from the daily radio-advertised “engagement ring store” to the Tiffany’s and other high-end retailers at the upscale mall in town.

Where did we end up? Costco. They had the BEST looking stone amongst all stores - even better than what we saw at Tiffany’s. We actually kept looking after our visit to Costco, and two weeks later, we still liked theirs the best.

Four years later, she still gets compliments on the ring. It’s a 1.6 carat - but it often gets mistaken for a 2 carat because it looks so good!

]]> By: Michelle http://www.askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-63604 Michelle Sun, 13 Apr 2008 09:20:52 +0000 http://askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-63604 My fiance proposed to me five weeks ago. We were on a trip to Colorado to ski and stay at my fiance's aunt and uncle's beautiful condominium. On our way up to the mountains, we stopped at a Costco to pick up some supplies. My fiances uncle in retired from a great job with the government and his aunt just to get out of the house more and because she truly enjoys it, works part-time at Costco. I had never been to a Costco, they wanted to show me and I wanted to see what costco is about. My fiance and I are deeply in love and truly love one another, therefore we had been talking marriage and engagement. When in Costco we stopped at the jewelry counter, of course not expecting to find anything. To my surprise I saw a lovely diverse selection of beautiful diamond rings. My eye immediately was drawn to a particular ring. It was Gorgeous! I am a woman who believes in quality over quantity and will pay for quality. My mother owns a spectacular diamond ring with a total ct weight exceeding 3cts, a emerald cut solitaire with two substantial baguettes on each side. Therefore I am partial to a emerald cut. I fell in love with with this ring! quickly adding I loved my fiance much more!;) I tried it on, telling my fiance I could not have drawn a ring I liked more, it was exactly what I wanted. While we all are standing around the jewelry counter a fellow woman shopper came up, commenting on how beautiful the ring was. The next thing we knew she whipped out a loob, I did not even know what a loob was! She asked to see the ring looked at it through her loob Stating there were no inclusions, there was one small bubble, I believe she called it and went on to say Positives about the other characteristics of the stone and stones. All the while the woman behind the counter is telling us about Costcos philosophy and standards on diamonds, I am thinking is this woman with the loob secretly working for Costco? As I am thinking this the woman tells me she works and judges jewelry at shows. I was glad to hear this thinking what are the chances we would run into or more like it she into us, a woman who is obviously somewhat knowledgeable about diamonds and is carrying a loob, when I find the ring of my dreams!? We will be the first to admit we had not educated ourselves about purchasing a diamond, we to my knowledge had no intention of buying one quite yet. The loob lady asked to see the warranty and the rings papers and appraisal. She said we were getting a good deal but the appraisals were always high. I once again expressed my extreme fondness for the ring, thanked the loob lady as well as the jewelry woman and Costco manager ( he had to authorize getting the ring out of the case and the papers out of the safe) we then went about our Costco shopping. The ring was so beautiful to me I just cared about its quality, not its origin was Costco. My fiance wanted to please me so badly, I could have picked out a ring from anywhere. he is 45 has been wise with his money. After waiting for the "one" me:), to come along he was prepared. The next night after driving to the condo, he took me to a covered bridge with white lights and proposed! The man of my dreams, with the ring of my dreams! He had very slyly, while I was in another part of Costco, gone and due to the awesome price was able to write a check for my dream ring! I am a clinical psychotherapist and very perceptive, he totally "got me" When I came to this website I was shocked so many woman are so caught up in the commercialism of marriage. Where a diamond is from does not a marriage make. My engagement ring is a over 1 carat emerald cut solitaire, surrounded by little channel set diamonds, with the same diamonds going halfway around the band of Platinum. It came with papers as I said, stating everything they need too including the hologram laserscribed on the Diamond itself for identification etc. This is one of the marks of a fine diamond from what I understand or at least a responsible jeweler or company. To end this insanely long "comment", more like a essay, I adore my ring, I really appreciate my fiance being able to save so much money, buying it from Costco. One last comment, I bought a bridal magazine. The very back page of the magazine was a ad for Tiffany engagement rings. What was on this ad were several beautiful diamond rings one looking identical to mine except the cut of the diamond was a different shape. It brought a smile to my face as does my ring, all the time! Thank you for reading this, I apologize for the length, I felt writing this in its entirety would convey it best. Have a great day! My fiance proposed to me five weeks ago. We were on a trip to Colorado to ski and stay at my fiance’s aunt and uncle’s beautiful condominium. On our way up to the mountains, we stopped at a Costco to pick up some supplies. My fiances uncle in retired from a great job with the government and his aunt just to get out of the house more and because she truly enjoys it, works part-time at Costco. I had never been to a Costco, they wanted to show me and I wanted to see what costco is about. My fiance and I are deeply in love and truly love one another, therefore we had been talking marriage and engagement. When in Costco we stopped at the jewelry counter, of course not expecting to find anything. To my surprise I saw a lovely diverse selection of beautiful diamond rings. My eye immediately was drawn to a particular ring. It was Gorgeous! I am a woman who believes in quality over quantity and will pay for quality. My mother owns a spectacular diamond ring with a total ct weight exceeding 3cts, a emerald cut solitaire with two substantial baguettes on each side. Therefore I am partial to a emerald cut. I fell in love with with this ring! quickly adding I loved my fiance much more!;) I tried it on, telling my fiance I could not have drawn a ring I liked more, it was exactly what I wanted. While we all are standing around the jewelry counter a fellow woman shopper came up, commenting on how beautiful the ring was. The next thing we knew she whipped out a loob, I did not even know what a loob was! She asked to see the ring looked at it through her loob Stating there were no inclusions, there was one small bubble, I believe she called it and went on to say Positives about the other characteristics of the stone and stones. All the while the woman behind the counter is telling us about Costcos philosophy and standards on diamonds, I am thinking is this woman with the loob secretly working for Costco? As I am thinking this the woman tells me she works and judges jewelry at shows. I was glad to hear this thinking what are the chances we would run into or more like it she into us, a woman who is obviously somewhat knowledgeable about diamonds and is carrying a loob, when I find the ring of my dreams!? We will be the first to admit we had not educated ourselves about purchasing a diamond, we to my knowledge had no intention of buying one quite yet. The loob lady asked to see the warranty and the rings papers and appraisal. She said we were getting a good deal but the appraisals were always high. I once again expressed my extreme fondness for the ring, thanked the loob lady as well as the jewelry woman and Costco manager ( he had to authorize getting the ring out of the case and the papers out of the safe) we then went about our Costco shopping. The ring was so beautiful to me I just cared about its quality, not its origin was Costco. My fiance wanted to please me so badly, I could have picked out a ring from anywhere. he is 45 has been wise with his money. After waiting for the “one” me:), to come along he was prepared. The next night after driving to the condo, he took me to a covered bridge with white lights and proposed! The man of my dreams, with the ring of my dreams! He had very slyly, while I was in another part of Costco, gone and due to the awesome price was able to write a check for my dream ring! I am a clinical psychotherapist and very perceptive, he totally “got me” When I came to this website I was shocked so many woman are so caught up in the commercialism of marriage. Where a diamond is from does not a marriage make. My engagement ring is a over 1 carat emerald cut solitaire, surrounded by little channel set diamonds, with the same diamonds going halfway around the band of Platinum. It came with papers as I said, stating everything they need too including the hologram laserscribed on the Diamond itself for identification etc. This is one of the marks of a fine diamond from what I understand or at least a responsible jeweler or company. To end this insanely long “comment”, more like a essay, I adore my ring, I really appreciate my fiance being able to save so much money, buying it from Costco. One last comment, I bought a bridal magazine. The very back page of the magazine was a ad for Tiffany engagement rings. What was on this ad were several beautiful diamond rings one looking identical to mine except the cut of the diamond was a different shape. It brought a smile to my face as does my ring, all the time! Thank you for reading this, I apologize for the length, I felt writing this in its entirety would convey it best. Have a great day!

]]> By: Electricity bills, Free TV and a Poll | Frugal For Life http://www.askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-45138 Electricity bills, Free TV and a Poll | Frugal For Life Sun, 16 Dec 2007 21:56:27 +0000 http://askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-45138 [...] Ladies and Gentleman, Mr. Credit Card has a poll going on about whether it is ok or not to get an engagement ring at Costco. Personally, I don’t see why not. First you need to consider your budget and stay within that. Second, you want to get the best value for your dollar, and if Costco is where you can get that, fine. Another option is to go to a jewelry store that offers layaway – I’ve gone to Helzberg for their excellent customer service and the advantage of their layaway option. [...] [...] Ladies and Gentleman, Mr. Credit Card has a poll going on about whether it is ok or not to get an engagement ring at Costco. Personally, I don’t see why not. First you need to consider your budget and stay within that. Second, you want to get the best value for your dollar, and if Costco is where you can get that, fine. Another option is to go to a jewelry store that offers layaway – I’ve gone to Helzberg for their excellent customer service and the advantage of their layaway option. [...]

]]> By: S Gamgee http://www.askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-41754 S Gamgee Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:17:05 +0000 http://askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-41754 I bought my wife's engagement ring at Costco. 2 carats, princess cut. GIA-certified. Not a small purchase by any means! Then we had the stone placed in a different setting at a small jeweler. The result? My wife is frequently stopped by strangers (in restaurants, checkout lines, etc.) who complement the beauty of her ring. The diamond practically sparkles in the dark. Costco is a well run company, and the diamonds they sell are top notch. We didn't need a little blue box or a cup of tea. We needed -- and got -- a high quality diamond (and a great deal to boot). I bought my wife’s engagement ring at Costco. 2 carats, princess cut. GIA-certified. Not a small purchase by any means!

Then we had the stone placed in a different setting at a small jeweler.

The result? My wife is frequently stopped by strangers (in restaurants, checkout lines, etc.) who complement the beauty of her ring. The diamond practically sparkles in the dark.

Costco is a well run company, and the diamonds they sell are top notch. We didn’t need a little blue box or a cup of tea. We needed — and got — a high quality diamond (and a great deal to boot).

]]> By: cara http://www.askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-38948 cara Mon, 29 Oct 2007 02:48:43 +0000 http://askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-38948 Listen guys...... my man and I have been up and down, all around looking at rings. My conclusion is this: The GIA report says it all. A GIA report doesnt lie. Costco rings are FANTASTIC because Costco only marks up 12%-15% vs 60%-300% at "other" retailers. You get way more bang for the buck at Costco- They will hand you a GIA report that states the appraisal value and sell you the diamonds for 30-40% less. The sales people maybe arent quite as "specialized", but hey, they also dont have any hidden agendas. That little blue cardboard Tiffanys box will end up in the recycle bin someday anyhow... Listen guys…… my man and I have been up and down, all around looking at rings.

My conclusion is this:
The GIA report says it all. A GIA report doesnt lie.
Costco rings are FANTASTIC because Costco only marks up 12%-15% vs 60%-300% at “other” retailers. You get way more bang for the buck at Costco-
They will hand you a GIA report that states the appraisal value and sell you the diamonds for 30-40% less.
The sales people maybe arent quite as “specialized”, but hey, they also dont have any hidden agendas.
That little blue cardboard Tiffanys box will end up in the recycle bin someday anyhow…

]]> By: Adrienne http://www.askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-15126 Adrienne Mon, 21 May 2007 16:36:43 +0000 http://askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-15126 I have seen a ring bought from Costco, and it is beautiful, more so than many that have come from a jeweler. Of course she will never know, but I personally would'nt care one bit where it came from if it is that classy and unique looking. I have seen a ring bought from Costco, and it is beautiful, more so than many that have come from a jeweler. Of course she will never know, but I personally would’nt care one bit where it came from if it is that classy and unique looking.

]]> By: BAM http://www.askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-12209 BAM Sat, 28 Apr 2007 07:41:27 +0000 http://askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-12209 A little more info on Costco diamonds: They guarantee the Clarity (VS2 or better) and the Color (I or better) of their diamonds. They make no guarantees as to the cut of their diamonds. With that said, the CUT of Costco diamonds weighing one carat and over is evaluated very carefully. When buying a Costco diamond less than 1.0 carat in weight, it is best to have the CUT of the diamond checked by a graduate gemologist (not just any jeweler is qualified). A well cut diamond will appear MUCH larger than a poorly cut diamond of the same carat weight. I am not implying that Costco diamonds under 1.0 carat are all poorly cut--that is not the case. They sell some exceptional diamonds in the smaller carat weights. But, because they deal in volume with many different vendors, sometimes diamonds in the smaller weights fall through the cracks and are not checked as carefully as the larger stones. Simply, take a little extra time and do your due dilligence with any diamond purchase. Costco offers excellent value for your luxury dollars. A little more info on Costco diamonds: They guarantee the Clarity (VS2 or better) and the Color (I or better) of their diamonds. They make no guarantees as to the cut of their diamonds. With that said, the CUT of Costco diamonds weighing one carat and over is evaluated very carefully. When buying a Costco diamond less than 1.0 carat in weight, it is best to have the CUT of the diamond checked by a graduate gemologist (not just any jeweler is qualified). A well cut diamond will appear MUCH larger than a poorly cut diamond of the same carat weight. I am not implying that Costco diamonds under 1.0 carat are all poorly cut–that is not the case. They sell some exceptional diamonds in the smaller carat weights. But, because they deal in volume with many different vendors, sometimes diamonds in the smaller weights fall through the cracks and are not checked as carefully as the larger stones. Simply, take a little extra time and do your due dilligence with any diamond purchase. Costco offers excellent value for your luxury dollars.

]]> By: Frugal101 - Be Rich, Live Rich! » Blog Archive » Diamonds from Tiffany’s or Costco? http://www.askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-9383 Frugal101 - Be Rich, Live Rich! » Blog Archive » Diamonds from Tiffany’s or Costco? Sat, 21 Apr 2007 16:48:37 +0000 http://askmrcreditcard.com/creditcardblog/is-it-ok-if-your-blink-blink-comes-from-costco/#comment-9383 [...] Go visit Ask Mr. Credit Card for a fascinating poll. Would it matter to you where your engagement diamond comes from? It is after all a big decision to get married, and can be a huge financial “investment”. [...] [...] Go visit Ask Mr. Credit Card for a fascinating poll. Would it matter to you where your engagement diamond comes from? It is after all a big decision to get married, and can be a huge financial “investment”. [...]

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