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.
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
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 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 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 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 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.
"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.
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.
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.
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:
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!
Select any 2 Diamond Stores to compare them head to head