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Shane Co vs Kay

Monday, November 4th

2024 Diamond Store Reviews

Shane Co Review 3.5 Star Rating

Shane Co

3.5 Star Rating
  • About 14,000 diamonds available
  • Prices range from $150 to $96,800
  • Both lab-created and natural stones available
  • Most stones are GSI or GIA-certified
  • 360° view on some diamonds
  • Free express shipping
  • Free 60-day returns
  • "A+” rated by the BBB
  • In business for almost 100 years

Shane Co, a family-owned jewelry store in operation since 1929, provides personalized service to customers nationwide, with both physical stores and an online storefront with a selection of around 14,000 diamonds, including both natural and lab-created options. Shopping for diamonds on their website is straightforward, and most diamonds come with a 360° view and GSI or GIA certification. Shane Co allows you to buy loose stones without requiring them to be set, offers free express shipping, a 60-day return policy, and a lifetime warranty. While they have an "A+" BBB rating and positive customer feedback, some experts suggest that their diamonds may be overpriced compared to similar stones elsewhere, impacting their ranking here.

Kay Review 2 Star Rating

Kay

2 Star Rating
  • Just under 100,000 diamonds
  • Prices range from $1,220 to $1,963,000
  • Both natural and lab-grown stones available
  • Almost all diamonds certified by AGS, GIA, or IGI
  • 360° view of every stone
  • Free initial resize
  • Free UPS shipping or ship-to-store

If you're considering Kay Jewelers for a diamond purchase, it's essential to understand its pros and cons. As part of the Signet Jewelers group, Kay offers nearly 100,000 diamonds with prices ranging from $1,220 to almost $2 million. You can view each stone from all angles with their 360° tool, and they offer free UPS shipping or ship-to-store options. However, Kay's inventory lacks a significant selection of settings for some cuts, and you can't purchase a diamond by itself. While they provide some perks like free resizing and secure in-store pickup, there are concerns about the brand's reputation, including allegations of diamond substitution and mixed customer feedback. In terms of pricing and service, you'll definitely find better options among our higher-rated online diamond stores.

Where Can You Find the Best Selection of Loose Diamonds?

Have you ever ventured into a local jewelry store with high hopes of finding the perfect stone, only to leave feeling disappointed? You're not alone. Many physical jewelry stores grapple with the challenge of stocking a diverse range of diamonds due to financial and logistical limitations.

In light of this, it's no wonder that an increasing number of diamond shoppers are gravitating towards online retailers. Why confine yourself to a small selection of stones with limited sizes and cuts when you can delve into an extensive assortment of diamonds? These gemstones span across various carat sizes, shapes, clarity levels, and price points. Reputable online establishments offer the convenience of a comprehensive 360° view of each diamond, accompanied by certifications and ratings from well-recognized appraisers.

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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.
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Continued from above...

One of the key drivers behind the increasing popularity of buying loose diamonds online is the unparalleled convenience that digital platforms offer. The traditional process of purchasing diamonds often involved visiting multiple physical stores, engaging with sales representatives, and navigating complex pricing structures. Online platforms simplify this process, letting you explore a vast array of options from the comfort of your home. This convenience factor is particularly appealing to a generation accustomed to the ease of online shopping for various products.

Furthermore, the online diamond market provides you with an extensive selection of diamonds, going beyond the limitations of brick-and-mortar stores. You can easily browse through an array of sizes, shapes, and qualities online. This allows you to find a diamond that perfectly aligns with your preferences and budget.

The acquisition of loose diamonds opens the door to an exhilarating opportunity to craft a distinctive piece of jewelry. Once you've made your diamond selection, the possibilities for designing your jewelry become virtually limitless. The online diamond retailer you opt for is likely to provide an impressive array of settings, encompassing traditional solitaires and inventive tension settings tailored for engagement rings.

As you might expect, the choice of the right retailer matters. Your diamond purchase could become a cherished heirloom passed down through generations, so you'll want to be sure you'll receive precisely what you pay for. To help you in your selection of the ideal diamond retailer, we suggest that you keep the following considerations in mind:

  • Variety: Check the store's inventory of loose diamonds. Do they offer a wide range of options in terms of cut and size? Can you find a setting that suits your preferences?
  • Price: Compare prices with other diamond sellers. Are there any special promotions or benefits, such as free shipping, to make your purchase more budget-friendly?
  • Certification: Does the retailer provide documentation from reputable institutions like GIA, AGS, IGI, or EGL to certify your diamond's qualities? This is especially important for more valuable diamonds to ensure the stated carat size, clarity, and color are accurate.
  • Reputation: Research what other customers have to say about their experiences with the retailer. Has the Better Business Bureau rated the store, and are there any customer complaints? Buying a diamond can be a significant investment, so it's worth taking the time to make sure the retailer you're considering has a strong track record for honesty and reliability.

Here at Top Consumer Reviews, our experts have evaluated and ranked today's best online diamond retailers. We hope this information assists you in finding the ideal loose diamond for your long-awaited proposal, one-of-a-kind pendant, or a timeless heirloom piece to be passed on for generations.

Compare Diamond Stores

Select any 2 Diamond Stores to compare them head to head

best-diamond-stores
  • Rare Carat
  • James Allen
  • Blue Nile
  • Ritani
  • REEDS
  • Gems NY
  • Shane Co
  • Fascinating Diamonds
  • 25 Karats
  • Diamonds USA
  • Jared
  • Kay
Rare Carat vs James Allen Rare Carat vs Blue Nile Rare Carat vs Ritani Rare Carat vs REEDS Rare Carat vs Gems NY Rare Carat vs Shane Co Rare Carat vs Fascinating Diamonds Rare Carat vs 25 Karats Rare Carat vs Diamonds USA Rare Carat vs Jared Rare Carat vs Kay James Allen vs Blue Nile James Allen vs Ritani James Allen vs REEDS James Allen vs Gems NY James Allen vs Shane Co James Allen vs Fascinating Diamonds James Allen vs 25 Karats James Allen vs Diamonds USA James Allen vs Jared James Allen vs Kay Blue Nile vs Ritani Blue Nile vs REEDS Blue Nile vs Gems NY Blue Nile vs Shane Co Blue Nile vs Fascinating Diamonds Blue Nile vs 25 Karats Blue Nile vs Diamonds USA Blue Nile vs Jared Blue Nile vs Kay Ritani vs REEDS Ritani vs Gems NY Ritani vs Shane Co Ritani vs Fascinating Diamonds Ritani vs 25 Karats Ritani vs Diamonds USA Ritani vs Jared Ritani vs Kay REEDS vs Gems NY REEDS vs Shane Co REEDS vs Fascinating Diamonds REEDS vs 25 Karats REEDS vs Diamonds USA REEDS vs Jared REEDS vs Kay Gems NY vs Shane Co Gems NY vs Fascinating Diamonds Gems NY vs 25 Karats Gems NY vs Diamonds USA Gems NY vs Jared Gems NY vs Kay Shane Co vs Fascinating Diamonds Shane Co vs 25 Karats Shane Co vs Diamonds USA Shane Co vs Jared Shane Co vs Kay Fascinating Diamonds vs 25 Karats Fascinating Diamonds vs Diamonds USA Fascinating Diamonds vs Jared Fascinating Diamonds vs Kay 25 Karats vs Diamonds USA 25 Karats vs Jared 25 Karats vs Kay Diamonds USA vs Jared Diamonds USA vs Kay Jared vs Kay
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