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Tuesday, February 18th
Since 1929, family-owned Shane Co has been delivering personalized attention to jewelry shoppers nationwide. There are almost two dozen in-person stores you can visit scattered throughout the US (in Colorado, Arizona, Minnesota, Utah, and a handful of additional states), but anyone can take advantage of browsing their online store as well.
Easy-peasy diamond shopping
Shopping for diamonds at Shane Co doesn't get much simpler. First, decide whether you want to browse natural or lab-created diamonds; there are about 7,000 of each kind in the inventory here. Next, set any filters that are important to you, like shape or price, or click on the "Show All Filters” button to get even more specific. As you browse the diamonds that match your settings, it's easy to see which ones come with a 360° view (most do), a quick overview of the stone's characteristics, and which certifications the diamond has. You'll typically see GSI or GIA certification on Shane Co diamonds.
Many customer-friendly features
There are a lot of benefits to buying a diamond at Shane Co, and some of those are really noticeable when you look at any individual stone. For one thing, you're not forced to put your diamond in a setting here, unlike some diamond stores that assume you're only looking for a gemstone to place in a ring. Just click on the "Add Loose Stone to Bag” link if you want to skip over the settings option. You'll also see exactly when your diamond is likely to arrive (with free express shipping, even), or the estimated date you can have it delivered to a Shane Co store near you. Finally, your diamond comes with a 60-day return policy (where Shane Co provides the return shipping label at no cost to you) and a lifetime warranty on the stone itself.
Good track record for customer satisfaction
Shane Co has an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau, with just a little over a dozen complaints filed there over the last three years. That's not bad. And, most customer feedback for Shane Co elsewhere is also solid, though most people refer to the in-person shopping experience and not necessarily to the process of buying loose diamonds through the online store.
Get... less for your money?
Where Shane Co falls a little in our rankings is the price vs. quality of their gemstones. We found more than one expert who said that Shane Co stones are overpriced for the value, and that despite having GSI or GIA certification, many diamonds sold here don't seem to live up to what's stated on those certifications. If you've got an untrained eye and you're just buying something sparkly, that might not matter to you. But, it gives us pause when we read comparisons between Shane Co stones and diamonds with similar properties sold in other places (even some of the rival retailers on our list) and there's a significant markup here.
Not bad if you don't mind the mark-up
Overall, Shane Co is better than average if you're shopping for diamonds. There are a lot of customer-friendly perks that you might not get with every gemstone retailer, and we also appreciate the benefits of working with a jeweler that's been in business for the better part of a century. But, is it possible you could get a similar-quality diamond at a lower price somewhere else? The answer is "yes”, and that keeps Shane Co from earning one of our highest rankings - though it's still a diamond store we're happy to recommend in general.
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.
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:
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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