Costco "one of a kind" colored gems

[winternight]

Anyone browse Costco's one of a kind section? I thought they had some pretty pieces --- no idea if the prices are good, I've just been looking for a right hand push present and might be too chicken to go custom. Any other places to look? No idea on budget, maybe 5-7K??


http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11602938&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|108|49547|90001&N=4043795&Mo=103&pos=0&No=47&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=90001&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC36351-Cat49547&topnav=

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11590801&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|108|49547|90001&N=4043795&Mo=103&pos=0&No=53&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=90001&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC36351-Cat49547&topnav=

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11629288&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|108|49547|90001&N=4043795&Mo=103&pos=0&No=77&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=90001&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC36351-Cat49547&topnav=

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11602911&search=sapphire&Mo=48&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=sapphire&Ntt=sapphire&No=48&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

 

[kgizo]

I haven't bought colored stones from Costco, but i have bought diamonds and have been very happy with my purchases.

 

[T L]

When I was at Costco, I saw the second ring you posted above, at least I think it is, as it was very expensive (same price) and the same exact design, shape stone. My problem with Costco, as it is with most jewelry retailers is that THEY DON'T FULLY DISCLOSE ANY or ALL TREATMENT. I know, I know, I sound like a broken record, but the problem is that if that's the same stone, it came with a IGI memo that stated "sapphires are routinely treated" and nothing else. I'm sorry, but if I'm spending that much money on a gem, I want an AGL, or comprable lab report, with full treatment disclosure Look at the comments notes about treatment in this memo, what does that tell you? So what?

http://www.costco.com/Images/Content/Misc/PDF/189914.pdf

ETA: I see it also comes with an AGTA, but that must be an old report as AGTA has been closed for some time. The sapphire color is very enhanced in the photo because the one I saw was very dark in tone, and not as saturated. Also, yhy isn't the AGTA report also listed? Why list the inferior IGI?

White diamonds of significant value should always come with a GIA report, an IGI does not cut it for me, and that's what most overpriced retailers use. They give inflated appraisals. While I think Costco has fair pricing on diamonds, I think you can find a better deal through some recommended PS vendors, and they will have a GIA report to boot!

 

[Arkteia]

You know, TL, I totally second you. Moreover, I was trying to buy a diamond through Costco. The ones that had GIA certificate were, BTW, quite expensive, and the ones that were affordable had a memo that did not even state the quality of the cut (they all were round). Needless to say, the people working there had no idea about their stones. 5-7 years ago the diamonds bought at Costco used to be cheap and upgradable at any time post-purchase but this is not the case any longer. A couple of years ago, I saw a pair of spessartite earrings. The stones were brownish and the earrings cost 3K if I am not mistaken.
The pink sapphire ring appears quite expensive to me. Our precision cutters give better prices (on likely better stones). A diamond setting can not justify such a cost. As to the other stones, the certificate does not say a thing about them.
What is relatively cheap in Costco (so far)? Gold chains. I bought a couple for my pendants and Costco gives nice prices on them.

 

[iLander]

Okay, I'm going to start this by saying that I am the Queen of Costco. I wuvz me my Costco! I shop there a LOT and I love them for diamonds, especially pave pieces because it's nearly impossible to find VS clarity pave. I also like that when I get tired of a piece of jewelry, even years later, I can return it and get a refund. The ultimate "trade up" policy.

I emailed the Costco.com jewelry buyer directly, about 6 months ago and asked her about treatments:
My Email: I am wondering what treatments Costco allows on their rubies and sapphires? I am specifically interested in beryllium treatments and filling,
Her reply: The only treatment we allow is heat treatment.

That being said, I don't like them for colored stones. I think they are overpriced. Our guys can find much better stuff for you, and at those prices, the sapphires should be UNtreated. If I had $20K, I would check into Richard Wise's offerings. He can also set the stone, and it'll be one step and you're done. Plus full certification.

I do think that their prices for Fancy Diamonds are pretty comparable, though. I think the fancy yellow that you linked to is well-priced compared to a Leibish stone of similar size and color, and the setting is nice. I've compared many FCD's at Costco versus our diamond guys, and I think the Costco pieces are about the same price.

So, if I were you, I'd go for the fancy colored diamond ring.

 

[T L]

I do think that their prices for Fancy Diamonds are pretty comparable, though. I think the fancy yellow that you linked to is well-priced compared to a Leibish stone of similar size and color, and the setting is nice. I've compared many FCD's at Costco versus our diamond guys, and I think the Costco pieces are about the same price.

So, if I were you, I'd go for the fancy colored diamond ring.

I shop at Costco a lot too (but not for jewelry), and I always make it a habit to walk past their jewelry cases. I like some of their colored stone settings, but I can get the same settings from one of the ebay Chinese dealers for less. I will not buy a pricey fancy colored diamond without a GIA, and it upsets me that Costco doesn't use the GIA for their diamonds. If Leibisch does charge more, it's because the GIA report does give the diamond more value. Leibish does charge less for comparable diamonds that do not have a GIA report. I suppose you could buy the FCD at Costco for less and send it to the GIA yourself, and hope you got a great deal.

 

[iLander]

I do think that their prices for Fancy Diamonds are pretty comparable, though. I think the fancy yellow that you linked to is well-priced compared to a Leibish stone of similar size and color, and the setting is nice. I've compared many FCD's at Costco versus our diamond guys, and I think the Costco pieces are about the same price.

So, if I were you, I'd go for the fancy colored diamond ring.

I shop at Costco a lot too (but not for jewelry), and I always make it a habit to walk past their jewelry cases. I like some of their colored stone settings, but I can get the same settings from one of the ebay Chinese dealers for less. I will not buy a pricey fancy colored diamond without a GIA, and it upsets me that Costco doesn't use the GIA for their diamonds. If Leibisch does charge more, it's because the GIA report does give the diamond more value. Leibish does charge less for comparable diamonds that do not have a GIA report. I suppose you could buy the FCD at Costco for less and send it to the GIA yourself, and hope you got a great deal.

The ring she linked to does have a GIA report.

 

[T L]

I apologize, I didn't see it. That's cool.

 

[lbbaber]

Okay, I'm going to start this by saying that I am the Queen of Costco. I wuvz me my Costco! I shop there a LOT and I love them for diamonds, especially pave pieces because it's nearly impossible to find VS clarity pave. I also like that when I get tired of a piece of jewelry, even years later, I can return it and get a refund. The ultimate "trade up" policy.

I emailed the Costco.com jewelry buyer directly, about 6 months ago and asked her about treatments:
My Email: I am wondering what treatments Costco allows on their rubies and sapphires? I am specifically interested in beryllium treatments and filling,
Her reply: The only treatment we allow is heat treatment.

That being said, I don't like them for colored stones. I think they are overpriced. Our guys can find much better stuff for you, and at those prices, the sapphires should be UNtreated. If I had $20K, I would check into Richard Wise's offerings. He can also set the stone, and it'll be one step and you're done. Plus full certification.

I do think that their prices for Fancy Diamonds are pretty comparable, though. I think the fancy yellow that you linked to is well-priced compared to a Leibish stone of similar size and color, and the setting is nice. I've compared many FCD's at Costco versus our diamond guys, and I think the Costco pieces are about the same price.

So, if I were you, I'd go for the fancy colored diamond ring.

Hi Ilander, I have a question anout this post....Can you explain the part about returning the jewelry years later. What is Costco's return policy? I LOVE LOVE LOVE Costco and had NO IDEA that they had such a liberal return policy. I am not trying to sound sarcastic or anything...I am unfamiliar with how they handle returns and it sounds like you know. Thanks for any help and sorry, OP, about the thread jack. Thanks again

 

[iLander]

I apologize, I didn't see it. That's cool.

I do totally agree with you, TL, without that GIA report, I would pass.

 

[y2kitty]

Do you guys know what Gilt is? Sometimes they sell jewelry on there. Last week they were selling really expensive (think like 10k or above) emerald rings. The rings had GIA certs, but the ads didn't specify the numbers so you couldn't look them up. No treatment disclosed. And people were buying them! Here is the google cache of the sale:
http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...&gl=us&client=firefox-a&source=www.google.com


Some of the jewelry is WAY overpriced too. Can you see this link?
http://www.gilt.com/sale/women/fine-jewelry-by-blak/product/72391587


CHALCEDONY DROP EARRINGS
14K yellow gold, oxidized sterling silver and chalcedony deco drop earrings with pave brown diamond details
* Total chalcedony carat weight is 29.40
* Total brown diamond carat weight is 2.60
* Diamond clarity is I1
$1650

 

[iLander]

Hi Ilander, I have a question anout this post....Can you explain the part about returning the jewelry years later. What is Costco's return policy? I LOVE LOVE LOVE Costco and had NO IDEA that they had such a liberal return policy. I am not trying to sound sarcastic or anything...I am unfamiliar with how they handle returns and it sounds like you know. Thanks for any help and sorry, OP, about the thread jack. Thanks again

You can return anything to Costco for any reason at any time. You don't need the receipt. They keep track of all your purchases with your card, and can pull up how much you paid and will refund to the original card or cash if you paid with cash. I was in the return line and I watched a man pull in a cart with nasty, rotten pieces of wood, and swing set bits. He was returning it after 3 years because it rotted. They gave him 100% of his money back.

With jewelry, they need the little "appraisal" piece of paper that came with it. It has a picture of the jewelry and they can be sure you're returning the actual one you bought. If the diamond is larger than 1 carat (single diamond, not total weight of a piece), they will take it back, but your refund will have to be on hold until they can send it back to corporate and one of their GIA gemologists can check it to make sure it's the same clarity, color, etc., so they know you didn't switch out the diamond.

I've returned jewelry plenty of times, mostly because I'm tired of it. I purchased a bracelet on Costco.com, as well as a ruby pendant. Didn't like the color of the ruby, or the size of the diamonds so I took it back to my local costco. You can return the online purchases at any Costco. I returned a sapphire and diamond bracelet that I never wore (when will I learn that I don't wear bracelets much?!!) after 3 years. They gave me my money back. I was disconcerted to learn the price of the bracelet went up $400 in the 3 years, so I can't replace it for what I paid, but they gave me back 100% of my original purchase price.

Electronics is different, you only have 90 days for a complete refund. But you automatically get double the manufacturer's warranty, plus a number to call for any repairs or problems. We had a line of pixels burn out in our TV, and they made the manf. repair guy come from 2 hours away, repair it, and we didn't pay a penny. That was 18 months after purchase and it works fine now, 3 years later.

They will ask you why you're returning it, because they have to put something in the computer, and they don't hesitate to accept "I just don't wear it much". I love the flexibility of the return policy, it works well for people like me who change their mind a lot.

Thread jack over.

 

[winternight]

Oh really good points. I'm just so chicken about going custom for a larger purchase. If I can't see it and try it on its really hard for me since I worry I'll be disappointed when I get the piece and then you can't really do anything. I do love so many of the pieces I see on PS though!

 

[lbbaber]

Wow, Thank you iLander. I shop there all the time but had no idea they were so flexible with returns. Costco truly is a quality store. From their meats to their....well, everything! I love it! I even prefer some of their Kirkland products over the name brands they are copying. Just one more reason to shop there (i'll have to start checking out the jewelry counter more often )