Comments on: Costco vs. Tiffany, Who Has the Bargain on Diamonds?

By: MC

MC — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 01:57:51 +0000

I agree with Rhonda–it is a bad story. The story also doesn’t emphasize the cut of the diamond which greatly affects the value of the diamond. Color, clarity, and carat are important, but it’s the cut that will make or break a diamond. Any one other factor such as the difference in color will kill the price of that diamond. Having said that if you’re a person who is looking for a particular diamond within a very specific range in terms of depth, table, symmetry, fluorescence, girdle, cutlet, polish, etc. . .as well as the color and clarity, I think Blue Nile is a great option.

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:54:51 +0000

This is a really bad story GMA did. Now they bought an F color at Tiff and a H at Cosco?? Why not buy an H at Tiff (they do carry that color) and do a direct comparison? Why? Becasue it makes for a better story to try and exaggerate the difference.

They whole thing is very misleading since at any store the difference between and F and H color means THOUSANDS of $$! And they bought the Costco stone loose. Also, take into account that Tiff does interest free financing and the difference between the two isn’t quite so drastic. (Oh, and Tiffany is conflict free, don’t know about costco).

I think it’s smart to shop around, but GMA is just trying to get a good story here!

By: Moonshine

Moonshine — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:07:00 +0000

Geez, Some people would just like to be able to buy a house or a car or soemthing more vaulable than a rock on a finger. You can buy one that looks just like it and lasts as long and noone would ever know. Then you will be mowing your lawn and driving yourself around in that car y ou always wanted.

It is logic! It is technology, ITS THE 21st CENTURY!

By: tycobb9999

tycobb9999 — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:56:39 +0000

Thank you for setting the record straight, standup. There are a lot of ignorant posts here. Just because someone is too cheap to spend a little money for an heirloom, doesn’t mean they aren’t valuable and rare.

Conflict? LMAO if you want to use conflict as an excuse for not buying, then fine. Why not just tell the truth and say you’re cheap? Many things we buy directly or indirectly may support some sort of illegal or immoral activity; sorry kids, that’s just the way the world works. Get over it.

“My friends are into high tech, so they’re buying lab diamonds”. Great. You and your friends are cheap, that’s what you mean.

You know, you can find a million excuses for not doing the right thing, but in the end all you’re doing is making yourself look like white-trash. Buy that big screen tv and the top of the line satellite package instead. It’ll go great with your trailer house…

By: STANDUP

STANDUP — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 22:56:36 +0000

It’s important to note the difference between “synthetic diamond” which is lab-grown diamond – and “diamond simulant” which can be anything that looks like or sort of looks like a diamond.

CARAT.CC does indeed sell cubic zirconia (diamond simulant) which wholesales from less than a dollar to a few dollars per carat, depending primarily on quality of cut.The idea that diamonds are as plentiful as semi-precious stones is ludicrous. High quality diamonds are genuinely rare. DeBeers no longer has a monopoly; there are now several major players in mining and distribution. Diamond rough is very costly simply because it is extremely difficult to find and then extract. A good diamond well-bought (at a wholesale or near-wholesale price) has nearly always maintained its value or better. Bought at retail, however, you can wait a very long time for the market to catch up.

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:24:24 +0000

Carat.cc sells CZs not lab made diamonds I heard.

By: atong

atong — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 00:14:53 +0000

who needs diamond? they’re practically useless…therefore, worthless…

who the fuk owns de beers?

By: mbhunter

mbhunter — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 16:34:43 +0000

I’d make sure the intended recipient goes for diamonds. My wife doesn’t really like diamonds. Saved thousands right there. ;)

By: saving advice

saving advice — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 06:43:22 +0000

Diamonds are the biggest rip off in the world since they are basically a semi precious stone that are only made to appear valuable. They are a perfect example of how good marketing has conned most of us into believing that they are worth something.

By: Binary Dollar

Binary Dollar — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 06:04:35 +0000

Mapgirl: The problem with lab created diamonds is that they don’t turn out very colorless. It’s common to find yellowish (or other colored) diamonds.

By: Steve Mertz

Steve Mertz — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 22:21:52 +0000

Flexo-Great article, but you missed the most important thing-Big diamonds support terrorists so the next time I get married, I’m giving my wife to be a stone no larger than 1/4 Carat ;-)

By: mapgirl

mapgirl — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 20:39:21 +0000

Try Carat.cc for laboratory diamonds. Much cheaper than the natural diamonds, but still carbon compressed at high pressure, or whatever it is that makes a diamond. (I keep thinking Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. You know what I’m talking about.) My friends are getting their engagement ring from Carat when it’s time to buy. They don’t go for the conflict diamonds and they are high-technology types, so they’re going with lab diamonds instead.

By: Lazy Man and Money

Lazy Man and Money — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 18:17:59 +0000

I recommend look at PriceScope.com. You can read more about my experience here.

I would estimate that you save quite a bit over the Costco price. The appraiser said he would have a problem finding a deal as good. I didn’t find Blue Nile to be as competitively priced as Abazias who I went with. I know that Abazias had great service.

By: Flexo

Flexo — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 18:17:10 +0000

FMF: I’m not shopping right now, if that’s what you’re asking. :-)

By: FMF

FMF — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 16:23:45 +0000

So, why are you interested in diamonds? ;-)

By: SCapitalist

SCapitalist — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 15:52:32 +0000

Buying a name brand diamond is pointless in my opinion. NOBODY can tell the brand of a ring from a glance. There are so many nice options when considering a diamond ring, it pays to do your research.

I recently got engaged, and buying an engagement ring was a very stressful experince. It was a major purchase that had alot of emotional value wrapped into it. Do not take a salesman’s word for face value. Have some idea of what you are looking for before you get sucked into a salesman’s game.

By: Binary Dollar

Binary Dollar — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 15:21:46 +0000

Yeah give me Blue Nile any day. Buying a Tiffany diamond would just be buying the name.

Here’s the deal: Buy from Blue Nile. Say it’s from Tiffany’s. Best of both worlds.

By: Phil

Phil — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 14:31:08 +0000

Blue Nile does a good job. I was pleased with my purchase last year from them. Very nice!