The 12 Best 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.
Friday, October 4th
2024 Diamond Store Reviews
Rare Carat
Rare Carat, despite being a relative newcomer, has made waves in the diamond industry. In 2022, they sold a record-breaking 21-carat diamond for $2.5 million. Their unique approach involves sourcing over 1 million gemstones from 150+ wholesalers and jewelers who compete for your business and resulting in better value for you. Their user-friendly platform offers filters and quizzes to suit both beginners and experts, while their quality scoring system helps identify top-value diamonds. Rare Carat provides free consultations with experienced gemologists, price matching, free insured shipping, 30-day returns, and so much more. Their "A+" BBB rating and thousands of 5-star reviews from customers confirm their trustworthiness and affordability, making Rare Carat our top recommendation for diamond shopping.
James Allen
For an exceptional diamond selection, consider James Allen, offering over 300,000 diamonds, both natural and lab-created. Accredited with an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau and over two decades of experience, it's a reliable choice. Shopping is straightforward, with options for diamond type, shape, cut quality, color, carat, clarity, and price preferences. A standout feature is the Real-Time Diamond Inspection with a certified gemologist. Transparent delivery times and a diverse range of settings with nearly 700 options cater to all tastes. Thousands of positive reviews affirm James Allen's quality, value, and customer service, making it a top choice for diamond shopping.
Blue Nile
Purchasing loose diamonds online doesn't have to be intimidating, not when Blue Nile simplifies the process with its vast selection of nearly 300,000 diamonds, ranging from $290 to $828,000. They offer various filters, including a "quick ship diamonds" option for those in a hurry. One standout feature is the "consult an expert" button, connecting you with a live gemologist to answer your questions. Blue Nile's selection of settings, especially for engagement rings, is beautiful and fun to browse, with over 1,000 options for a traditional round-cut stone alone. They provide free shipping, resizing, returns, cleaning, servicing, and a lifetime warranty. Blue Nile boasts an excellent reputation, supported by an "A+" BBB rating and accreditation and many five-star reviews. While some recent customer feedback isn't 100% glowing, Blue Nile still remains a top choice for purchasing diamonds and creating cherished jewelry.
Ritani
Established in 1999, Ritani is a well-known jewelry brand based in New York, famous for its handcrafted pieces. They offer a vast selection of both natural and lab-created diamonds, ranging from affordable to high-end options. Ritani is transparent about pricing, showing every factor that goes into your final cost for each diamond. They also provide a unique service where you can preview the diamond in person before buying it, which can help ease concerns about buying online. Their customer feedback is mostly positive, although some experienced customers have raised concerns. Overall, Ritani is a good choice for loose diamonds, especially if you want to see the diamond in person before making a purchase.
REEDS
REEDS, a family-owned jewelry business with over 75 years of experience, offers an extensive selection of diamonds both in-store and online. Their inventory encompasses thousands of diamonds with prices ranging from $308 to $50,000+, and customers can explore various shapes and cuts, with stones offering GIA certification and 360° views. Additional benefits include free FedEx shipping, a 30-day return policy, and the option for in-person or virtual consultations with jewelers. Notably, REEDS holds an "A+" rating and accreditation from the BBB and boasts a substantial number of five-star ratings from satisfied customers on Trustpilot, highlighting their commitment to exceptional service and quality. While the diamond search interface could be more user-friendly, REEDS remains an excellent choice for those seeking a solid selection of high-quality diamonds with personalized attention.
Gems NY
Gems NY, a seasoned gemstone wholesaler with over 25 years of experience, is nestled in New York's Diamond District. Boasting a vast inventory of 130,000+ diamonds, both natural and lab-created, priced from $207 to almost $2 million, Gems NY offers customers free shipping, 30-day returns, a lifetime warranty on jewelry, and complimentary resizing within three months of purchase for ring buyers. Shopping is a breeze, with an intuitive interface and options to compare and revisit diamonds easily. Although this diamond store is missing some of the bells and whistles found with its higher-ranking rivals, this retailer does provide extensive information, including 360° views and GIA certifications. Gems NY caters to custom jewelry needs, and their excellent reputation is highlighted by an "A+" BBB rating and positive reviews praising their helpful staff and exceptional value, making them a trustworthy choice for diamond shopping.
Shane Co
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.
Fascinating Diamonds
Founded in 2006 by Raj Kumar and Salil Shah, Fascinating Diamonds boasts an inventory of over 41,000 loose diamonds, specializing in customized jewelry. They offer extensive filters to refine your diamond search, but not all stones have photos or 360° views. Every diamond appears to have GIA or IGI certification, although accessing these reports requires extra legwork. The company provides customization options and a standard 30-day return policy; returns involve a $20 fee, and those involving PayPal payments incur a 3% deduction. Despite an "A+" BBB rating and positive reviews, Fascinating Diamonds lacks the appeal of our higher-ranking diamond stores.
25 Karats
25 Karats, situated in NYC's Diamond District with over 15 years in business, offers a selection of nearly 9,000 loose diamonds, ranging from $260 to $164,000, including both conflict-free natural and lab-grown options. They provide free FedEx ground shipping and a 60-day return policy, earning an "A+" BBB rating and accreditation. However, the search for loose diamonds can be cumbersome, with limited lab-grown options and no images of selected diamonds available for viewing, unlike competitors offering comprehensive visual representations. While 25 Karats maintains a positive reputation and customer feedback, it falls short in terms of showcasing diamonds, making it an average choice compared to more image-oriented diamond stores.
Diamonds USA
Diamonds USA is based in Tel Aviv, Israel, and specializes in loose diamonds, offering over 5,000 options and the ability to request quotes for more. Their selection includes both lab-created and natural, certified conflict-free diamonds, all with certification and appraisals on demand. However, the inventory here is small by comparison, and the search tool is less-than-intuitive to use. Although this diamond store is still not rated by the BBB, Trustpilot feedback is positive (but limited). Diamonds USA is a decent option for a wide range of gemstones, but consider it as a secondary choice if your preferred diamonds aren't available from our higher-rated stores.
Jared
Jared, part of Signet Jewelers, offers a wide selection of over 102,000 loose diamonds, both lab-created and natural, with prices ranging from $204 to $1.1 million. While their website has user-friendly filtering tools and most diamonds are certified by IGI or GIA, there's no way to buy them outside of having them set in a ring. And, the selection of settings is somewhat limited, primarily featuring white gold solitaire designs. Jared's prices tend to be around 20% higher than online-only retailers, though they offer free second-day UPS shipping and a 30-day return window, with in-store exchanges possible. Overall, Jared has advantages like in-person options but may not offer the most competitive prices or setting choices.
Kay
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.
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.
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