Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

The Best Diamond Stores

Where Can You Find the Best Selection of Loose Diamonds?

If you've ever gone to your local jeweler in search of one of these precious gemstones but left disappointed, you're not alone! Most brick-and-mortar jewelry stores can't afford to keep thousands of diamonds in inventory - both financially and logistically, it's just too risky.

With that in mind, it's easy to understand why so many shoppers are turning to online diamond stores. Why limit the possibilities to just a handful of stones in limited sizes and cuts when you can browse literally hundreds of thousands of diamonds across the spectrum of carat size, shape, clarity, and, of course, cost? The best online retailers make it easy to see a 360° view of each stone, plus any available certifications and ratings from industry-recognized appraisers.

Wednesday, June 7th

2023 Diamond Store Reviews

James Allen Review Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award 5 Star Rating

James Allen

5 Star Rating Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

James Allen has the biggest selection of diamonds, with a staggering inventory of over 200,000 stones ranging from tiny to titanic. And, they take diamond-shopping to the next level, not only with the standard 360° view of each stone and an additional magnification of up to 40x, but also with a free online consultation with a gemologist to review the exact details of any diamond that catches your eye. You won't find another diamond store that has as much to offer, and we strongly recommend James Allen for your next purchase.

Blue Nile Review 4.5 Star Rating

Blue Nile

4.5 Star Rating

Blue Nile was one of the first online diamond retailers to earn consumers' confidence, and with good reason: all of their 140,000+ loose diamonds are GIA certified, and customers rave about the "get what you pay for and then some" experience when getting jewelry here. Blue Nile also lets you reserve a diamond for up to 48 hours, so that no other shopper "steals" it as you mull over the decision. This continues to be one of our favorite diamond stores.

Fascinating Diamonds Review 4 Star Rating

Fascinating Diamonds

4 Star Rating

Fascinating Diamonds is the diamond store with the big-name selection and small-business level of attention to its customers. There are more than 20,000 loose diamonds to choose from, all of which can be placed in a custom setting that you create (with the help of Fascinating Diamonds' expert designers). While this retailer can't quite keep up with the well-known names in the industry with respect to inventory, everything else makes Fascinating Diamonds a store to consider for your purchase.

Jared Review 3.5 Star Rating

Jared

3.5 Star Rating

Jared has a huge advertising budget - but just a middle-of-the-road selection when it comes to diamonds. You might appreciate having the ability to choose between natural and lab-created stones, but keep in mind that Jared's choice of certification isn't as reliable as the one used by some of their rivals. If you like having the option of in-person perks like ship-to-store and local resizing, Jared might appeal to you. But, you'll likely get more for your money by buying a diamond from an online-only retailer.

Diamonds USA Review 3 Star Rating

Diamonds USA

3 Star Rating

Diamonds USA offers just over 3000 loose diamonds, all of which come with certification you can view right on the website. This diamond store has been in business for over three decades and has no complaints on file with the BBB. Diamonds USA is a solid option for purchasing a loose diamond, but you will find a much broader selection of stones with many of this retailer's rivals.

Kay Review 2.5 Star Rating

Kay

2.5 Star Rating

"Every kiss begins with Kay", but should your diamond shopping start with this jeweler? Probably not. Their selection isn't anything to get excited about, with fewer options than sister brand Jared - though you'll find GIA and AGS-certified stones here. Customers complain about the quality of the diamonds and completed rings they received from Kay, and allegations of stone-swapping (replacing diamonds with lower-value stones) are enough to give anyone pause. While you might like the convenience of a diamond store with brick-and-mortar locations, you'll get a better experience with most online-only retailers.

Sun Jewelry Review 1.5 Star Rating

Sun Jewelry

1.5 Star Rating

You might think that a diamond store with a history spanning more than 35 years would be a safe bet for buying your next gemstone, but Sun Jewelry does not fit the bill. Their online store is difficult to use, and offers no images of any of the hundreds of diamonds in their inventory. Even worse, the site itself isn't secure for credit card transactions, and your diamond may never be delivered - with absolutely no response from Sun Jewelry's customer service team. We strongly recommend you look elsewhere for your loose diamond purchase.

Diamond Princess Review 1 Star Rating

Diamond Princess

1 Star Rating

How many loose diamonds are in the inventory at Diamond Princess? Great question. Their website tool for searching all of their available gemstones is out of service, and online chats to their customer service team go unanswered. Somehow this retailer still earned an "A+" and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, but we're not impressed given the zero functionality of their diamond search. You'll have a better experience with literally any one of the higher-ranked diamond stores in our review.

Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

Buying loose diamonds is a wonderful way to create a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry: once you've chosen the stone, the sky's the limit with what you create next. The online diamond store you select will probably have an impressive array of settings: for engagement rings alone, the possibilities are nearly endless and range from traditional solitaires to the optical illusion of a tension set.

However, as you'd imagine, it's important to choose your retailer carefully. Your diamond purchase could represent an heirloom to cherish and pass down through the years, and you want to ensure that you get exactly what you pay for. We recommend keeping these criteria in mind, to help you choose the best diamond retailer:

  • Selection. How many loose diamonds does the store keep in inventory? Are there many choices in the cut and size you prefer? Will you be able to have your diamond placed in a setting you love?
  • Price. How do the prices compare with rival diamond sellers? Are there any promotions or perks like free shipping to make your purchase more affordable?
  • Certification. Does the retailer have documentation from GIA, AGS, IGI or EGL that certifies the qualities of your stone? Especially if you're buying a more expensive diamond, you want proof that the carat size, clarity and color are as-described.
  • Reputation. What do other customers say about their experience buying diamonds from the retailer? Has the Better Business Bureau rated the store or received any complaints? Buying a diamond is no casual purchase for most people, and so it's worth taking some time to make sure that the store has a history of honest, professional interactions with their customers.

TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked the best online retailers of diamonds today. We hope this information helps you find the perfect stone for your engagement ring, heirloom-quality pendant, or even for a timeless investment!

The Best Diamond Stores Compare Diamond Stores Compare Diamond Store Reviews What are the best Diamond Stores Best Diamond Store Reviews

Diamond Store FAQ

One of the most sought-after gemstones in the world, diamonds are one of the hardest substances known to man. Diamonds form from carbon under high pressure and temperature.
Fun backstory: diamonds weren't commonly used in engagement rings until 1947, when the British mining company De Beers featured them in an advertising campaign! The rest, as they say, is history. Diamonds now represent financial success, long-term commitment, and status.
Cut, carat, color, clarity. Cut is the only human "influence" on a gemstone: round, princess, cushion, marquise and oval are some of the more common shapes given to diamonds. Carat represents the weight of the diamond, with 1 carat equal to 200 milligrams. Color evaluates the stone using letters of the alphabet; the closer to "A" , the whiter the stone, though most people find stones in the G-H rating to still be icy-white in appearance. Clarity is a little more difficult for the average consumer to see, especially without magnification: the categories measure inclusions, or irregularities that happen during the formation of the diamonds but are hard to see without magnification, as well as blemishes like scratches or chips.
The names say it all: natural diamonds come from the earth, while lab-created or synthetic diamonds come from scientists! But, other than their origins, these two types of diamonds are exactly the same chemically and optically: even expert gemologists have a hard time telling them apart without using a jeweler's loupe! And, as you might imagine, synthetic diamonds are usually much more affordable.
These acronyms all refer to gemological societies and institutes with diamond grading scales used throughout the industry: Gemological Institute of America, American Gemological Society, European Gemological Laboratory, and International Gemological Institute. Generally speaking, GIA and AGS are seen as the most accurate and scientific, so if you're buying a higher-priced stone you may want to ensure that it's been graded by one (or both!) of those two systems.
If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind piece, you're not going to find it by buying the first pretty ring or solitaires you see at your local jewelry store. Many customers want something with a story that can be handed down as an heirloom: the shape of the stone chosen to match her eyes, the setting selected to complement his personality, and so on. Buying loose diamonds is the first step in a truly unique piece of jewelry.
While you'll find no shortage of companies wanting to sell you diamonds as an investment, most experts say that the average consumer isn't likely to profit from them. Unless you're buying extremely large diamonds (e.g. 20 carats or more) or ones with a noteworthy history (like being owned by a celebrity), you may have a hard time selling the diamonds you buy for more than you paid. If you're planning on spending a significant amount of money for a diamond, do it because you appreciate the beauty or want to own (or give) something precious - but save your investments for more reliable means of generating profits!
Absolutely. Of course, you shouldn't buy a diamond from an online retailer without doing your research: choose a business with a well-established history, preferably with a high rating from the BBB, and be sure that the diamond you buy has been rated and certified by one of the independent institutes or laboratories mentioned above. You can rest assured that the diamond retailer will take every measure to get your stone delivered safely, including tracking and insurance.
See the Best Diamond Store
The Best Reviews of Diamond Stores