Monday, November 29th
2021 Diamond Store Reviews
Blue Nile
- Diamond Selection: 147,151
- Price Range: $265 to $1,037,102
Blue Nile is one of the most reputable online-only retailers of loose diamonds, and while they now share our 5-star rating with another store, they still earn our recommendation as an excellent place to shop.
Pros:
- Long history in the online diamond retail industry
- Almost 150,000 stones to choose from
- Can place a 48-hour reserve on diamonds to prevent them from being purchased by another shopper
- Complimentary resizing within the first year
- Price matching
- All loose diamonds are GIA certified
- Free shipping and returns
What makes Blue Nile different from their 5-star rival? On the downside, not every stone sold by this diamond store has a 360° view; if it's important to see the exact gem you're buying prior to purchase (and why wouldn't it be?), you'll want to set that preference in your filters. On the other hand, Blue Nile allows you to place a 48-hour hold on any diamond in their inventory of more than 140,000 gemstones: other customers won't even be able to see that diamond in their search results until your reservation expires, assuming you don't finalize the purchase.
Because there are so many diamonds in their inventory, Blue Nile has a wide range of filters to narrow down the possibilities. The usual options are there, like shape, price, and carat size, but you can also check the box for "quick ship diamonds" if you're in a hurry.
Another feature we like about buying diamonds from Blue Nile is the "Compare Alternate Diamonds": once you select a stone you like, be sure to scroll down a little. Want to spend a little more for extra sparkle, or maybe you're willing to downgrade the color just a bit to save some money? You'll see several recommendations for comparable stones.
All of the loose diamonds sold by Blue Nile are GIA certified. This is an important distinction, because these certifications are considered to be more reliable and accurate than many other rating systems (AGS being the exception). You can view the GIA report right on the Blue Nile product page for the stones you're considering.
When you find the diamond you want to buy and click on "add this diamond", you'll then specify if it's being used for a ring or pendant, or just adding it to your basket as a loose stone. Blue Nile has an exciting selection of settings to choose from, especially for engagement rings. On the radiant-cut stone we selected, there were more than 200 matching settings; it made shopping much easier to see at a glance which ones came in options besides white gold, had matching wedding bands, or were on sale. Whether your style is traditional or modern, you'll find something to love here. (Our favorites were the East-West Sidestone and Pave and the Zac Posen Curved Cathedral Solitaire with Diamond Bridge Detail.)
As you put together your piece of jewelry, you'll be able to see your expected delivery date. It may take several weeks, or even up to a month, for your ring or pendant to be put together and delivered, but shipping is free.
In fact, "free" is pretty common at Blue Nile: not just shipping, but also resizing, returns, cleaning and servicing, and even a lifetime warranty (restrictions apply, like if you wear your ring while weightlifting and it gets damaged). You can also get a free consultation with a Blue Nile jewelry expert if you have any questions on which stone to select, what setting will best highlight the diamond you choose, and anything else you need to know to make an informed purchase.
Blue Nile's reputation is fantastic. We invite you to see for yourself: just look at customer reviews on the jewelry settings that catch your interest, and have fun seeing what people put together for their loved ones (or for themselves, why not?). This retailer also has an "A+" and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau; despite having a few dozen complaints registered there over the last three years, Blue Nile's representatives do an excellent job of responding in a timely, professional way.
Buying loose diamonds online might seem scary, but it doesn't have to be. Blue Nile makes it hassle-free to buy a stone, set it in a design you'll love, with all the confidence that you're getting exactly what you pay for. We love Blue Nile and their long history of making special moments even more precious, with diamonds that make you fall in love all over again. Blue Nile easily earns another high rating.
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.
Diamond Store FAQ
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!
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