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Sunday, October 6th
Gabriel & Co, founded by brothers Jack and Dominick Gabriel, has been crafting fine jewelry since 1989. They offer a wide range of engagement ring settings, from affordable options to high-end designs. When you shop with Gabriel & Co, you'll select your ring style online and preview it at a local partner jeweler, where you can also choose the center stone and request customizations. They provide one free exchange and wear-and-tear coverage within the first year, and a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects if you register the ring. However, the process here can be more complicated than other jewelers, as you need to visit a local partner to buy the center stone and finalize the design. While the engagement ring designs are beautiful and we appreciate the perks, Gabriel & Co is considered "just average” due to the extra steps involved in the purchasing process.
Zales, celebrating its 100th anniversary with over 400 stores nationwide, is part of the Signet Jewelers group. They offer over 5,000 engagement rings ranging from under $100 to nearly $49,000, including branded collections like Enchanted Disney and Vera Wang. Free consultations are available online or in-store, and you can often find discounts and special sales. Despite this, Zales starts to fall short due to a lack of customer reviews on its engagement rings, which makes it hard to rely on feedback. And, while Zales has an "A+" rating from the BBB, nearly 600 complaints over three years and numerous negative reviews highlight issues with service and unhonored warranties. Overall, Zales earns a mediocre rating due to poor post-purchase service and numerous complaints, making it less appealing for buying engagement rings.
Engagement rings are more than just a piece of jewelry; they symbolize love, commitment, and the promise of a shared future. In recent years, the trend of buying engagement rings online has grown significantly. According to a study by The Knot, around 39% of couples now purchase their engagement rings online.
It's true that online shopping offers a vast selection of rings from numerous jewelers worldwide, letting you to find unique designs that might not be available locally. Additionally, internet-based retailers often provide competitive pricing due to lower overhead costs, potentially saving you money. Many online jewelers also offer detailed information and educational resources to help you understand diamond quality and ring design, empowering you to make an informed decision from the comfort of your home.
The tradition of giving engagement rings dates back to ancient Rome, where wives wore rings attached to small keys, symbolizing their husband's ownership. However, the modern tradition began in 1477 when Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy, sparking a trend among European nobility. The practice gained widespread popularity in the 20th century, particularly after De Beers' famous "A Diamond is Forever" campaign in 1947, which cemented diamonds as the quintessential symbol of eternal love.
The cost of an engagement ring can vary widely, but on average, couples in the United States spend around $5,500. This price can fluctuate based on factors like the size and quality of the diamond, the metal used for the band, and the ring's overall design. That may be more than you're hoping to spend, though, and fortunately many affordable options exist, allowing you to find a ring that suits your budget and style. But, don't worry: the sky's the limit if you're looking for something extraordinary and extravagant too.
When it comes to buying an engagement ring, several criteria can help guide your decision on where to make this important purchase:
The ideal engagement ring is out there, waiting to symbolize your unique love story. To help you find it, the experts at Top Consumer Reviews have evaluated and ranked some of today's most popular online retailers, including the web storefronts of jewelers with brick-and-mortar locations you probably know. Best wishes for a picture-perfect proposal!
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