Are Costco diamonds worth it? Let’s see how this specific 1-Carat Platinum Diamond Engagement Ring from Costco stacks up against the best online retailer in diamond engagement rings, James Allen.
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Costco ring offer: $4,699.99
You can see this Costco ring live as item number 1224083 at Costco (but possibly only until someone buys it.) (It’s a unique offering, since this specific diamond has been graded by the IGI. However, you can be sure that Costco will offer a ring virtually identical to it when this one is sold. Who knows, it may even have the same url.)
As you can see, this ring has a diamond graded by the IGI.
CARAT: You can see that it’s a 1-carat Pear-shaped diamond.
Its COLOR is “I”.
Its CLARITY is VS2
Its CUT QUALITY is unknown. (That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The IGI, like most 3rd-party diamond lab graders, does not grade cut quality of any shape except round brilliant.)
James Allen ring offer: $3,810. Free resizing. 3D visual inspection.
You can build a ring at James Allen just like this in two steps:
Step 1: Select this setting.
Step 2: Go to this page to set your diamond filter sliders as shown in the image below.
Then add a diamond to the ring, a diamond with the Costco specs. (The James Allen search engine will have selected a pile of them for you. Inspect a few using the 3D zoom tech there, and choose one.)
All the qualities of the ring at Costco, and the ring you built at James Allen, are the same or virtually the same.
Even the settings are virtually identical Platinum 4-prong settings.
The only difference? The James Allen diamond has been graded by the GIA, not the IGI. That’s an advantage if anything. The GIA is slightly more respected than the IGI, in general.
Another advantage James Allen has over Costco? James Allen will resize your ring for free if or when needed, within a year.
Two more advantages James Allen has:
You don’t need a membership. (If you’re already a Costco member, that’s not an issue. But most people who aren’t yet married aren’t members, because they don’t buy in bulk.)
And a last advantage of James Allen: You can visually inspect your exact diamond before you buy it, using their high tech 3D imaging.
If you choose Lab-Created diamonds at James Allen, you’ll get an even better deal. Better color for a total of $2,030 less than the Costco ring.
Notice that when you select “Lab-Created Diamonds” (see image below), they don’t even have any “I” colored diamonds.
They only have “E” colored Lab-Created diamonds in the selection pulled by setting your sliders as shown.
Final price of the Lab-Created diamond ring at James Allen: $2,670. That’s $2,030 less than the Costco ring.
(Lab-Created diamonds are 100% the same as earth-created diamonds. They’re just created in a lab.)
In my opinion, this Costco diamond ring isn’t worth it. James Allen has equivalent rings for $890 less (earth-created) or $2,030 less (lab-created, and with better color).
Here’s why I think so: the James Allen one is as good or better. Same with customer service. And you don’t need a membership. And it costs $890 less.
It’s easy to get great deals on better diamond jewelry — for less money! Here’s how:
- Scroll up to the section on “How to Get the James Allen Deals.”
- Follow the easy directions there.
- Feel 100% confident that you bought the best diamond for the money
How to search this site to save up to tens of thousands of dollars at trusted diamond retailers, vs most any Costco, Kay, Jared, or Zales ring you’re considering
Search and save. You could save enough for a new compact car. Or a honeymoon. Or several expensive dinner dates. Or that guitar you’ve been wanting.
Read this very short note on how easy it is.
