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Smart shoppers have discovered you can save both time and money buying diamonds and jewelry online. In 2005, consumers spent over $2.1 billion for online jewelry; that's 1 out of every 20 purchases. And this is expected to double in the next 3 years.
There are many stores that sell jewelry and diamonds online, but some offer far greater selection and value than others. TopConsumerReviews.com finds and rates the best online diamond and jewelry stores available.
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Consumers have begun flocking to online diamond and jewelry stores like never before. And why not? The best online stores offer you an incredible selection with thousands of items to look at; prices that beat traditional retail stores; free shipping direct to your door; and no sales tax to pay.
The secret is getting out. Online diamond and jewelry sales continue to set records each year, with no stop in sight. Armed with secure websites, certified diamonds, and satisfaction guarantees, buyers are voting with their checkbooks and choosing online diamond and jewelry stores more and more.
When selecting an online diamond and jewelry store, you want to consider a few factors. Some of these include:
• Selection. Some stores offer thousands of items, while others offer just a few. You'll want to shop at a store with a large enough selection that you can find what you're looking for.
• Cost. Even among online stores, costs can vary. You want to find a store that has consistently low prices, passing their savings on to you.
• Customer Service. From return policies to free shipping, learning centers and knowledgeable staff, you want to shop at a store that caters to their most important client - you.
TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked the best diamond and jewelry stores online today. We hope you find these reviews helpful in your next jewelry purchase!
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Blue Nile is the world's largest online retailer of certified diamonds and fine jewelry. In fact, Internet Retailer Magazine reports that Blue Nile is bigger than the next three largest online jewelers combined. This is no accident; since their founding in 1999, Blue Nile has built its success on a strong tradition of quality and service unmatched by their competition.
The Blue Nile website is organized in a very straightforward, easy to understand layout. Across the top of the home page, you are provided with quick links to Engagement, Jewelry, Watches & Accessories, Gift Ideas, and Education. Along the left side of the page you also have quick links to Earrings, Necklaces, Bracelets, and the ability to shop by material - Diamonds, Pearls, Gemstones, Platinum,
Gold, and Silver. As if this wasn't enough, Blue Nile also provides you with the ability to search for loose diamonds, or shop for gifts by price range.
Once you've selected a type of jewelry, you further refine your selection by type and price. For example, if you select Necklaces, you can choose from 15 different types including diamond, pearl, and gold. You also select a price range, so you don't have to waste your time sifting through dozens of items you're not interested in. This process is simple and intuitive.
The selection offered by Blue Nile is staggering. Their single warehouse sells as much jewelry as nearly 200 stores combined. With this much inventory, Blue Nile can afford to offer jewelry at prices that are often 30-35% lower than their competition.
For those interested in engagement rings, Blue Nile is actually the largest seller of engagement rings in the U.S. To achieve this notable ranking, they offer an extensive selection of engagement rings in classic settings. For those interested in something more unique, Blue Nile also provides a comprehensive "Build-Your-Own-Ring" process. With scores of settings and
over 60,000 loose diamonds to choose from, you can be confident that you can create the perfect ring for your special bride.
To ensure the quality of their diamonds, every loose diamond sold is accompanied by a grading report from either GIA or AGSL, independent diamond grading labs with the most stringent grading scales. This gives you, the consumer, an independent verification of the quality of your purchase.
Blue Nile brings a very customer-focused approach to everything they do. They have extensive educational material throughout their website that explains everything from diamond quality to platinum purity. Once an order is placed, they offer free FedEx shipping with every purchase. Most orders placed before 3pm est are delivered with same-day shipping. And, Blue Nile offers
one of the best refund policies in the industry: if you're not satisfied with your order for any reason, you can return it for a refund or exchange within 30 days - no questions asked. Their phone operators are knowledgeable and friendly, and were able to assist with any questions we asked.
Blue Nile sets the standard by which all other online diamond retail stores are measured. With a luxurious shopping experience, incredible selection, and low prices, Blue Nile earns our highest rating.
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Diamond is a first-class site from the home page on. You are immediately put in the mood by the platinum and blue coloring of the website. The site has so many things that tantalize your eye; you can't wait to start looking. The main categories allow you to shop by price, rings, earrings, bracelets, pendants and
necklaces. These main categories
are then sub categorized into diamond, gold, silver, pearl and gem. So, the shopper that is looking for pearl pendants, for example, can be shopping in one click! Once you have made a selection from the homepage, you can then browse by top sellers, or refine your search further by sorting between new arrivals, price and name. Jewelry selections include complete details and descriptions of the item, including retail price and Diamond's price (which is usually 30-50% off retail).
If you are shopping for a ring, the options and searches available are practically limitless. Subcategories for rings include diamond, anniversary, engagement, eternity, fashion, platinum, pearl, wedding and of course "create your own." Selecting "create your own" whisks you into a diamond cornucopia of fun where you can select a particular
shape, price range, carat range,
cut, color, and clarity. The selection of high-end jewelry at Diamond is unmatched by the other sites reviewed.
Overwhelmed? Don't worry; Diamond has you covered with a Learning Center. The Learning Center is a complete jewelry guide of important information to educate you on buying and caring for diamonds and other quality jewelry. The Learning Center is divided into 3 sections: Diamond and Engagement, Gemstone and Pearl jewelry, and Metals
and Settings. On the odd chance you
can't find what you are looking for, Diamond offers extensive customer service options, expert advice and a glossary of terms. The selection is unbelievably large; but the site is so organized you can find virtually anything with one or two clicks from the home page.
Diamond offers a no risk 30-day money back guarantee, easy monthly payments (with no finance charges) and free FedEx delivery on all orders. The site also offers specials by email that you can sign up for and a sweepstakes to win a 2-carat diamond bracelet. This site is truly first class and earns some of our highest marks.
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Szul is a crisp, clean, straightforward site. The home page includes convenient links to Diamond, Bridal, Gemstone or Featured Collections. Most items are very affordably priced with an impressive selection of certified high-end loose diamonds. Specialty sections include a great gift boutique, pearl jewelry, men's accessories, best sellers,
birthstone jewelry and a clearance section
where the bargain shopper can save up to 75% off.
The selection at Szul is very generous. Not only do they have a large collection of traditional jewelry, they also have unique pieces that you don't see everyday. Engraved antique-looking pieces, two-tone items, and rope pieces are a few examples we didn't see on other sites.
The loose diamond search is consistent with other high-end sites we reviewed. Unfortunately, Szul does not put as much emphasis on price sorting as other sites. Shopping by price is only offered at the Gift Boutique and Best Seller's link.
Szul offers several services to ensure your confidence. They offer a 30-day money back guarantee for all purchases, with the exception of certified loose diamonds, which have a 15-day guarantee. They also have a repair guarantee of 60 days. Free insured FedEx service is standard for all purchases. Customer service is available by phone,
fax or email. Shoppers can also enter
to win a diamond circle pendant from Szul.
All in all, Szul is a very good site, providing a wide range of pieces sure to satisfy shoppers of all budgets.
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Super Jeweler is a busy site with lots to look at and click on, from the hottest trends to the classics. The homepage is highlighted with bestsellers and a multitude of links. Major categories are Earrings, Rings, Pendants, Bracelets, Sale Items, and Price. The selection is average and so are the prices.
Like many other on-line jewelry sites, Super Jeweler provides the retail price followed by the Super Jeweler price and then a sale price on select items. The bridal selection, however, seems limited compared to other sites. Center diamonds are offered in Solitaire or Princess cuts up to a carat in total weight. If you are looking
for a center diamond larger than a carat,
you will need to shop elsewhere.
The build your own diamond on Super Jeweler is disappointing with only a few choices in size, cut and metal. The selection of jewelry is average in the price range of $100 to $2000. However, the selection dwindles quickly for items priced over $2000. Again, if you are looking for high-end, one of a kind piece, you will have to shop the
competition.
Super Jeweler offer free shipping in the US via UPS. A gift with every purchase, free appraisal, and gift-wrapping with every item is also available. Super Jeweler offers a no risk, 30-day money-back guarantee should you not be completely satisfied with your purchase. Customer service is available by email, phone, live online help,
or postal mail.
Super Jeweler is overall a good site to shop for everyday jewelry at a bargain price.
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Ultra Diamonds is a stylish site, supporting the 140+ retail stores located across the country. Prices are very attractive on this site, some up to 75% off the retail price listed. The website is inviting and makes it easy to start shopping.
Links across the top of the homepage include: Bridal, Diamond Fashion, Gemstone, Gold & Silver, Watches and Closeout. Side bar navigation takes you to Best Sellers, Shop by Collection, Moissanite, Shop by Material, Occasion, Price, Gifts and Gift cards. All of the links provide a pull down menu that quickly and efficiently takes you
to the selected jewelry. Besides
the good selection and great prices, Ultra Diamonds has unique features and items not offered by the competition. For example, Ultra Diamonds features an extensive selection of men's Titanium and Tungsten bands, and Moissanite. They even take the occasion and gift selection one step further with graduation, retirement and seasonal styles to further entice the shopper.
The gemstone and diamond education sections are fairly general; however, the FAQ section has a wealth of detailed information to educate the online consumer. Customer service is available by phone, fax, email or postal mail. The hours are 9-4 and they are closed on weekends, which is a little inconvenient. Returns are accepted within
30 days of purchase. For added
convenience, returns can either be mailed or taken to a local Ultra Diamonds retail store. The site does not clearly state their shipping policy or preferences but does state in the FAQ section that all orders require a signature upon delivery. The ability to download a catalog is available and you can save ad additional 5% online when you register your email address on the site.
Adding a selection of high-end jewelry, paired with free shipping and the option to "build your own diamond", would propel this website into our top tier of sites.
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Ice is a little less "polished" than other jewelry sites. However, the layout of the site is easy to navigate. Categories across the top of the homepage include shop by price, rings, earrings, bracelets, pendants, necklaces and watches. Each of the categories has sub groupings to refine the category further and all include the
"ICE Picks" which
are the bestsellers of the category. Other quick links on the site include: What's New, Clearance Sale, Wedding Boutique, Best Sellers, Gift Boutique, and Designers & Collections.
Prices are competitive with all jewelry marked down from the retail value to an ICE Price (30-50% lower), which is then broken down further into an easy payment price. The designer showcase on this site is better than we have seen which is a nice feature if you are looking for a particular item or prefer a particular designer.
Ice offers shipping via FedEx or USPS. Orders over $150 are shipped for free. As with other jewelry sites, Ice has a 30-day risk free money back guarantee. Free gift boxing is also available which is a nice touch. Customer service is available by phone seven days a week with normal retail business hours or by live help
on-line. Ice's watch selection
was impressive and more extensive than other sites reviewed.
Overall, Ice is a good site with much of the same jewelry and pricing you would find at a mall jewelry store.
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Jewelry Television is a busy site. The homepage concentrates on two areas: keeping you informed on which Jewelry Television shows are airing and the four main shopping categories on the site. The site is categorized by jewelry, gemstones, clearance, auctions and jeweler supplies. Once you select a category, the subcategories are extensive. You can
search by type, price,
gemstone, or metal type. The subcategories are conveniently listed down the right side of the page with the total number of items in each category. They also list "specialty shops" on the left side of each page which include brooches, men's jewelry, accessories, collectibles, elite, tanzanite and charisma. The major categories are grouped in the middle of the page with the option of selecting only the diamond items in each category.
Price is a major factor on this site. The overall selection is average with not a lot of high-end items; the site clearly caters to the average jewelry enthusiast much like the jewelry store at the mall. Jewelry Television offers a 30-day guarantee for a refund or exchange if not completely satisfied. Items are shipped via USPS or FedEx
upon request. Shipping is not offered
for free like most of the other sites reviewed. Jewelry Television has a "learning library" section to help you with any jewelry questions you may have. The library appears to host a vast amount of information; however, it is not organized in an inviting fashion. Customer service is available by phone or customer email form. Jewelry Television also offers an e-mail newsletter and a shopping spree sweepstakes.
Overall, Jewelry Television ranks average. The prices are enticing but the lack of selection and unique pieces is a downfall.
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Alle Fine Jewelry claims to have it all - quality, fashion, style and savings. The homepage seems to show it all but with no real focus or clarity. Links across the top of the page lead you to diamonds, gemstones, gold, pearls, platinum and watches. The sidebar has navigation links to "What's Hot", shop by type, and specialty
items such as nautical, sets, religious
jewelry and evening jewelry. The middle of the home page is dedicated to sales, previews, birthstones, and bridal/anniversary selections. The prices are competitive but the layout of the website seems to be a bit outdated with cheesy graphics and jewelry pictured on satin next to fake flowers.
Customer service is available by phone or email. Purchases are shipped via UPS or FedEx; however, no free shipping was offered at the time of this review. Alle Fine Jewelry offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee for any reason within 30 days of purchase. Returns are not accepted after 30 days and special ordered pieces are generally
non-returnable, along with items in which
the security tag has been removed. The Jewelry Learning Center is very informative and presented in a logical, straightforward manner, ensuring that even the novice jewelry shopper can educate themselves to make a valuable, high quality jewelry purchase.
This site is a diamond in the rough. The selection and prices are great. However, the outdated presentation and lack of high-end loose diamonds places the site lower in our ratings.
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Palm Beach Jewelry is an inviting site to shop for fashion jewelry. The site is easy to navigate with only three main sections: Women's Jewelry, Men's Jewelry, and Fragrances. They have a couple of specialty store links that also offer a wedding shop and an internet exclusive steals and deals, and a plus size ring selection.
The women's category has everything from rings and earrings to anklets and body jewelry. The men's section ranges from rings and bracelets to pens and personalized jewelry. Both men's and women's fragrances are sold in gift sets and regular sizes; all marked down 10-50% off retail prices. Not an extensive selection of fragrances but some name brand notables. The jewelry
is also marked down 30-50% off retail.
One old cliché that comes to mind on this site is quality over quantity, which is lacking at Palm Beach Jewelry. 90% of the wedding boutique is Cubic Zirconium, and the specific details for the diamond jewelry is vague. If you're shopping for fashion or "costume" jewelry, Palm Beach Jewelry has a great selection and prices to match.
Customer service is available by phone, email, online chat and regular mail. Returns and exchanges are accepted within 90 days of the original order date. Shipping is free for orders over $75 via UPS. A printed catalog is also available if you prefer to take your time and shop on paper.
Compared to other sites reviewed, Palm Beach Jewelry is geared toward the fashion or "costume" jewelry market focusing on value priced merchandise. However, if you are looking for traditional jewelry selections, you'll have better luck elsewhere.
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Diamonds and Jewelry in the News
India wants Dubai to extradite 4 for diamond theft - CharlotteObserver.com
... diamonds worth more than $1.4 million at a major jewelry show, police said Wednesday ... the interactive nature of the internet makes it impracticable for our staff to monitor each and every posting.
Publ.Date : Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:09:00 GMT
David & Sons Fine Jewelers educates consumers on the differences between white metal jewelry - PR-USA.net
About David & Sons Fine Jewelry "We will BEAT any competitor's price including Internet and Wholesale" *based on availability Pioneering authentic designs with the finest cut certified diamonds and high-quality ...
Publ.Date : Sun, 22 Aug 2010 10:58:00 GMT
Watch & Jewelry Auction to Benefit MS - DIAMONDS.NET
The auction will be conducted live at Antiquorum with real-time bidding on the Internet at www.antiquorum.com . Exclusive watch and jewelry manufacturers such as Audemars Piguet, Cartier, Carrera Y Carrera and Hublot ...
Publ.Date : Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:04:00 GMT
Milestone birthday led to quest for diamond ring - St. Louis Post-Dispatch
is a Internet technology specialist who works as a liaison ... and I needed the diamond, so it all worked out. I love it; it's easily my favorite piece of jewelry."
Publ.Date : Sat, 21 Aug 2010 05:02:00 GMT
Diamond Industry Expert Launches GuysDiamonds.com for Loose Diamond Sales - PRLog (free press release)
... diamond sources and suppliers to help busy professionals make intelligent diamond purchases. Independent research shows that the jewelry industry ... that utilize keywords and proven internet marketing tactics ...
Publ.Date : Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:57:00 GMT
Cash For Gold Sellers Are Asking: What About the Gemstones in My Jewelry? - PR Inside
... diamonds smaller than ¼-Carat or any colored gemstones. Cash for Gold Co will be pleased to remove and return prong-set stones in a piece of jewelry if ... for Gold Co is a leading Internet buyer of precious ...
Publ.Date : Sat, 21 Aug 2010 05:52:00 GMT
How to sell your gold and diamond jewelry - Orlando Sentinel
listen to the radio or walk past a jewelry mall to know ... there are gold testers and diamond testers you can buy on the Internet. There are also scales so you can weigh things. Gold is going to be marked.
Publ.Date : Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:55:00 GMT
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