Thursday, December 5th
2024 Class Ring Company Reviews
Kay
- Priced from $119.99 to $4,649.99
- 54 ring styles in stock
- Men's and women's rings
- College, high school, and fashion rings
- Lifetime warranty for diamonds and gemstones (if applicable)
- 8-week turnaround
- "A+” rating a from the BBB
Most of us have heard of Kay Jewelers, one of the most popular retailers of engagement and wedding rings on the market. Established in 1916, Kay initially offered products including music boxes, silverware, appliances, razors, and eyeglasses. Today, Kay Jewelers has grown into a prominent jewelry store with over 1,000 physical locations and a substantial online presence. And on top of their well-known wedding rings, Kay Jewelers also offers a selection of class rings.
Class rings are under the men's section
Finding class rings on Kay's site isn't the most intuitive. First, you have to check under the "rings” tab on the top navigation bar. Then, to locate class rings specifically, you'll need to dive into the "Men's” section. This is strange because Kay does offer women's rings. However, the category is listed under men's, which may be misleading for customers who don't check there anyway.
Choose from 54 ring styles
Despite some confusion with finding class rings, there are 54 different styles to choose from with both men's and women's options. You'll find 32 women's rings and 22 for men. All of the rings can be personalized, though you can't search for specific universities or schools, so you can use them for any school you like by doing your own personalization. You can limit the rings by common filters like metal types, price, stone type, and which ones are engravable.
Design preview includes new elements
The customization process mirrors that of other jewelry retailers. You can enter your school name during this process, but many schools aren't included. We couldn't find major universities like the University of Central Florida or the University of Michigan. Unsurprisingly, we didn't find private colleges either. On the other hand, you can find most high schools on Kay. Metal options include sterling silver, 10K gold-plated, 10K-14K white gold, and 10K-14K yellow gold. There are 16 gemstones to choose from, and you can add an 18-character engraving for no extra cost. Our favorite part? The online design tool will change your ring to show you what it will look like (including custom engraving).
Prices range from $119.99 to $4,649.99
At each ring manufacturer in our review, we looked at the base-price costs for men's and women's rings. And to give you an idea of the high and low end, we also built the least and most expensive rings to compare upgrades. Here's what we found at Kay:
- Women's rings: $119.99 to $2,299.99
- Men's rings: $269.99 to $2,299.99
- Least expensive ring: Natalya Fashion Class Ring (Sterling Silver) for $119.99
- Most expensive ring: Men's Elite Diamond Panel ring (18K Gold) for $4,649.99
Around 8 weeks before rings arrive
One notable aspect of Kay Jewelers' service is the inclusion of specific delivery dates in each product description. This transparency keeps you informed about the estimated delivery time before you get into the ordering process. In general, it seems to be about an 8-week turnaround.
No return for custom rings
While Kay has a general 30-day return policy, this only applies to items in new, unused condition. Kay states that it does not allow returns for items that are customized (which includes class rings). Kay does offer a lifetime diamond and gemstone guarantee which allows you to change out or replace stones if they are damaged or fall out of the setting. This appears to be included in your purchase. The other warranty options (which change depending on which item you're buying) will incur an extra cost.
Some mixed reviews
Customers have the opportunity to leave reviews on individual items, providing valuable insights into various aspects such as the readability of engravings, the expected quality, the accuracy of delivery times, and more. Many of the reviews on the Kay website show 5 out of 5 stars on class rings. While the selection may not be as extensive as some competitors, Kay Jewelers maintains an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, though it does show more mixed reviews on third-party sites. Many of the customer reviews that were negative related to specific Kay stores and locations rather than the quality of class rings.
Highly rated for shopping experience
Although class rings may not be the primary focus for Kay Jewelers, the company offers a reliable option with a long-standing reputation for quality. However, with no real return policy on class rings and extra charges for warranties, you may be paying a little extra if something goes wrong with yours. Considering that and the higher-than-average prices, Kay doesn't quite make it to the top of our list, though its impressively easy design tool and user-friendly browsing earn it a high rating in our review overall.
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Where Can You Find the Best Class Rings?
For generations, the tradition of getting a class ring has been a significant part of the high school and college experience. This symbolic piece of jewelry is a physical representation of the hard work, dedication, and achievements you put in during your education.
A class ring can be traditional, just showing the details of your graduation year and school, or it can also become a tangible representation of your experience with engravings for your extracurricular activities, major, or other memories you made along the way. And you may be surprised to find out that buying class rings online has become an increasingly popular choice.
Class Ring Company FAQ
Continued from above...
There are many reasons why buying class rings online has become so trendy. One of the primary reasons behind the popularity of online class ring stores is the convenience they offer. Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar jewelers, these online stores provide a shopping experience that is accessible 24/7 from the comfort of your home. This convenience is particularly appealing to busy students or parents who may not have the time to visit physical stores during regular business hours.
Online class ring stores also boast a wide array of customization options, letting you design a ring that perfectly captures your personal style and academic achievements. From selecting the metal and stone, to adding engravings and choosing the design elements, these online stores let you create a custom piece that holds sentimental value and serves as a tangible reminder of your educational journey.
Class rings used to be a fairly limited commodity. You would pick a ring from a booklet (or website) offered by your school, and you might find a handful of designs for your school or major field. Now, online shopping provides a platform for you to compare prices, and explore various band colors, stones, engraving options, and sizes from jewelry specialists around the world. You can create an individualized class ring that fits with your educational accomplishments and also with your personal style.
Whether you're treating yourself to this timeless memento or gifting it to a cherished member of your family, a class ring is a treasure that captures the memories of college or high school. Picking out the right one will make sure that those memories ring (pun intended) true to your or your loved one's school experience.
You may want a ring that offers your school's crest to memorialize your experience there. Or maybe you'd prefer something more minimal with just your school's color scheme? Maybe you (or your loved one) are a sports player and need a ring that matches the ones of your teammates. Or maybe you want to go off-book entirely and design a class ring from scratch. There are tons of options on the market these days. If you can imagine a class ring, someone can make it for you.
But if you're feeling overwhelmed by the number of choices, we've put together some key points that might help you narrow your options when selecting a class ring provider:
- Selection. Different retailers offer many different styles of rings. Finding a retailer with a large selection can help you do a lot of browsing in less time. Plus, you want to make sure the right metal quality, stone options, and design elements are available for your school. Choose a store with a wide selection of rings and styles so you can find the best one-of-a-kind ring for your finger.
- Cost. Class rings can get expensive, especially as you add on customizations. If you're celebrating a college grad, you may want to shell out a bit more than a middle or high school celebration. Find a store that has a decent cost variety that balances metal and stone quality with value so you can make that graduation day special without breaking the bank.
- Production time. How long does your chosen retailer take to ship your ring? Are you going to be able to get it in time for that special day? While most sites ship within 4-8 weeks, some are much faster or offer expedited shipping.
- Reputation. With something custom-made from precious metals, you want to make sure you get the right one. Checking out customer reviews and ratings from the Better Business Bureau can help you feel more confident. Keep an eye out for concerns regarding quality or customer service to help guide your ultimate decision.
With these factors in mind, we hope you feel confident to begin selecting that commemorative ring for you or your top-notch student. To make the process as easy as possible, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best class ring stores available today. Now, break out your creative design hat and enjoy crafting a custom class ring that will become a lifelong symbol of your (or your student's) academic journey for years to come. Congrats, Grad!
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