ALTERNATIVE TO JEWELRY STORES

[PRINCESS_KIM]

I was recently at Costco (formerly PriceClub) and they sell jewelry there including engagement and wedding rings. Quantities and selection varies by store, but you can special order certain carat size (up to 5 carats) and all stones are minimum H/I or I/J color. All stones are automatically set in a tiffany setting. You need to get additional details on how to place an order and what would happen in case of returns/exchanges. There are no sales rep but the items are clearly marked i.e. Color=aaa; Clarity=bbb; Carat weight=ccc and so on. I prefer this way of shopping method and stone identification because I can think and decide on my own without pressure.

[alandenisefields]

Great idea! If you actually make a purchase, please let us know how it goes. Anyone else do this? How much do you think you've saved?

Alan & Denise Fields, Authors
BRIDAL BARGAINS * BRIDALGOWN.COM * CYBERBRIDE *

[2beleland]

My friend's fiance got her ring from CostCo and was really pleased with the prices and the experience. He was planning to just buy the diamond there and get the setting somewhere else since she didn't want the tiffany solitaire style. But, it turned out that CostCo was considering expanding their offerings and they were able to do a 3-stone setting for him.

[jen_p]

Are the diamonds over 1 carat G.I.A. certified?

[PRINCESS_KIM]

I finally had the opportunity to go to Costco yesterday and asked a sales associate. He said all jewelry with diamond of any size have a certificate.

[DiscountDiva]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-04-01 AT 11:19AM (Mountain)[p]I found a great outlet shop called "Ultra Stores" on one of my outlet mall trips. I ended up buying my wedding ring there(I had the engagement ring from elsewhere), and it was a fabulous bargain. It was valued at 1100, for 14k gold and a full carat of good quality diamonds, and I bought it for 500, plus it comes with lifetime diamond warranty, as long as you have it inspected every 4 months. Not bad, plus they have many other good options. Check their website, ultrastores.com, for locations near you. The wharehouse clubs are good too...I have bought other jewelry there, and have been satisfied. Good luck!

[Tim's Girl]

LAST EDITED ON May-06-01 AT 05:23PM (Mountain)[p]I am actually a manager for Costco and a soon-to-be-bride! I highly recommend Costco for not only bridal rings, but also other wedding day jewelry such as pearls and bridesmaids jewelry. I just got engaged and the only reason my ring is not from Costco is that my fiancée did not want me to have ever seen the ring before he gave it to me. :D Costco guarantees it's diamonds are always at top standards for color and clarity. They are guaranteed at twice their purchase price for diamonds under 1 carat and at 175% of their purchase price for diamonds over 1 carat. All come with a certified GIA appraisal detailing everything about your ring. Additionally, most Costco's have their jewelry counters staffed continuously with very knowledgeable and helpful employees. One of the best things about Costco is that their UNCONDITIONAL guarantee covers EVERYTHING they sell - including jewelry. If you lose a stone, bend the ring, etc - IT'S ALL COVERED. Just keep your receipt and take it back to the store where they will have it repaired or replaced at NO CHARGE! If you are not near a Costco, 1) I feel bad for you, because it's a great store, and 2) you can shop on line at www.costco.com. - Everything on the website is covered by the same guarantee and the site has excellent customer service representatives. (Log on to see store locations.) Keep in mind that if you are an Executive Member - you will receive 2% back on all your purchases (up to $500) so take that off the cost of the ring when you compare. (You won't need to though - the prices are beyond comparison.) Okay, okay - enough bragging! But seriously, I wouldn't lead a fellow future bride-to-be in the wrong direction and I sure wouldn't work for a company I didn't believe in! Check it out! See you soon at a store near you...
Rikki

[Pearls]

We bought cheap wedding bands for camping and outdoorsy kind of stuff at Wal-Mart (the original one in Arkansas in fact). They cost $60 total and won't be missed if lost. We also bought beautiful ones to wear everyday and will use those for our wedding ceremony, etc. I also want to let other brides know that you don't have to have a diamond solitaire. I decided for the anniversary band type ring and I LOVE it. I will wear it forever and it won't catch on clothes, etc. And I think the price was more reasonable - and now I have 13 diamonds to admire.

[cforney]

Your enthusiasm is reassuring. Before checking out this forum, I was looking at the Costco website on the recommendation of Bridal Bargains. However, I can't seem to find any printed information of the 175% guarantee on the site. Can someone please direct me to it?

Thanks