James Allen vs Diamonds USA for January 2021

Item: James Allen vs Diamonds USA
Rating: 5

Monday, January 25th

2021 Diamond Store Reviews

James Allen

Diamond Selection: 206,795
Price Range: $230 to $1,997,720

TopConsumerReviews.com 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.

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Diamonds USA

Diamond Selection: 3000+
Price Range: $499 to $90,000+

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.

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More Diamond Store Reviews

The 8 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.

Continue reading below

Diamond Store FAQ

What is a diamond?

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.

Why are diamonds so popular?

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.

What are the "4Cs" when shopping for a diamond?

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.

What's the difference between natural and lab-created diamonds?

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.

What are GIA, AGS, EGL and IGI?

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.

Why would I buy a loose diamond instead of an already-made engagement ring or other piece of jewelry?

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.

Are diamonds a good investment?

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!

Is it safe to buy loose diamonds online?

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.

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!

Compare Diamond Stores

Select any 2 Diamond Stores to compare them head to head

best-diamond-stores

James Allen

Blue Nile

Fascinating Diamonds

Jared

Diamonds USA

Sun Jewelry

Diamond Princess

James Allen vs Blue Nile James Allen vs Fascinating Diamonds James Allen vs Jared James Allen vs Diamonds USA James Allen vs Kay James Allen vs Sun Jewelry James Allen vs Diamond Princess Blue Nile vs Fascinating Diamonds Blue Nile vs Jared Blue Nile vs Diamonds USA Blue Nile vs Kay Blue Nile vs Sun Jewelry Blue Nile vs Diamond Princess Fascinating Diamonds vs Jared Fascinating Diamonds vs Diamonds USA Fascinating Diamonds vs Kay Fascinating Diamonds vs Sun Jewelry Fascinating Diamonds vs Diamond Princess Jared vs Diamonds USA Jared vs Kay Jared vs Sun Jewelry Jared vs Diamond Princess Diamonds USA vs Kay Diamonds USA vs Sun Jewelry Diamonds USA vs Diamond Princess Kay vs Sun Jewelry Kay vs Diamond Princess Sun Jewelry vs Diamond Princess

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James Allen vs Diamonds USA