Friday, February 3rd
2023 Engagement Ring Reviews
James Allen
- Every engagement ring is customized by you
- Over 20 years in business
- "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
- Excellent reputation for customer service and jewelry quality
- Free worldwide shipping, no order minimum
- Free returns for up to two months
- Lifetime warranty with complimentary maintenance and repairs
James Allen got its start in 2006 and is part of the Signet Jewelers brand family (along with three other stores in our evaluation). This jewelry store offers an engagement ring buying experience that is like no other - because literally everyone is customized by the buyer!
320,000+ hand-selected diamonds await you
It's obvious that James Allen focuses on diamonds, and that's a huge plus for you. Why? Your love will know that the diamond in her ring was hand-selected by the jeweler and personally chosen by you! They're all viewable in highly-magnified 360° HD right on the James Allen website. You can start designing your ring by finding the perfect diamond and then choosing a setting to match, or vice-versa. If you need just a little bit more direction, consider using one of the brands in James Allen's Designer Collection, like the eco-friendly designs of Danhov or the classic elegance of Jeff Cooper.
What will it cost?
As you'd expect, the price tag on your engagement ring completely depends on what you design. There are over 600 settings for those 320,000+ diamonds, so you do the math on how many possible combinations that might be! To give you a ballpark, though, settings start at $180 and go all the way up to $7,400. And the diamonds? What's available can vary from one day to the next, but during our visit we found stones for as low as $240 and as much as...well...over $2 million. (*gulp*) But hey, at least some of the most expensive diamonds come with a free setting!
Free shipping worldwide
All orders here come with free worldwide shipping and resizing for a year, too. You can also schedule a real-time diamond inspection, where a licensed gemologist will walk you through all of the facets (pun intended) of the diamond you're considering. When you're ready to commit to your purchase, James Allen has several options for financing, including PayPal, Splitit, and their own special revolving line of credit.
Easy returns
During our most recent visit, James Allen offered a return timeframe of up to two months for a full refund exchange. That might be a limited-time offer or it could be their permanent policy. No matter what time of year it is, your returns won't cost anything to send in, because this retailer provides prepaid FedEx labels to ship the engagement ring back.
Lifetime warranty is excellent
James Allen promises to "repair and maintain your jewelry for a lifetime" . Your engagement ring will receive, at no charge, prong tightening, rhodium plating, repolishing and other cleaning services. You can send your ring to James Allen's offices or bring it in person to a Jared service center (despite being a rival brand, Jared is in the Signet family, hence the relationship). You can also get a quote on a Jewelers Mutual insurance policy to purchase extra coverage in the event of theft, damage, loss or other non-covered issues with your ring.
Sets the bar high for attention to customer satisfaction
If you only looked into the other jewelers in the Signet family, you might be worried about James Allen, since two of them have really negative customer feedback and wound up low in our rankings. This jewelry store is practically the polar opposite. How about an "A+" and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, plus almost 3,000 five-star reviews from shoppers? It's rare to find a retailer whose products are frequently described as "better than advertised" , but customers here are almost shocked by how fantastic their engagement rings turn out. And that's not all! James Allen employs customer support reps who offer thoughtful expertise and go the extra mile to help if a problem arises.
Your fairytale proposal starts here
No matter how hard we looked, we couldn't find anything that disappointed us with James Allen. Who wouldn't want to get a gorgeous piece of jewelry that was designed from start to finish by someone they love? Whether you're the hopeful giver or the fortunate receiver, you'll be thrilled by your experience with this jeweler. What are you waiting for? Go build your dream engagement ring at James Allen today!
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Where's the Best Place to Get an Engagement Ring Online?
That's not a question anyone would have asked twenty years ago, but it's a really smart one to ask now! Sure, many ring shoppers still buy their rings from a local jeweler - often at the first place they visit - but they're missing out on a lot.
Starting your search for the perfect "Will you marry me?" bling on the internet puts the world's best selection within reach. This is a piece of jewelry that could be handed down in your new family for generations, and you want it to be as unique and beautiful as your relationship. Whether your intended has already dreamed up exactly what she wants to see on her finger or you're going by the hope that you'll know it when you see it, online engagement ring retailers have you covered.
Engagement Ring FAQ
Continued from above...
The other big reason to buy the ring online is price. Local jewelry stores have to pass on their overhead costs to you, but internet stores aren't spending money on rent, face-to-face salespeople, or utilities at brick-and-mortar locations. You could save as much as 50% for an engagement ring of the same quality, carat weight and clarity - or better!
Best of all, there's no pressure to buy it right now when you use an online jeweler: you get all the time you need to compare different styles, design your own one-of-a-kind piece, or maybe even send some contenders to your future fiancee to see if you're on the right track! (And, ladies, that works in reverse too: why not drop a few hints with links to the rings you love and make it easier on your beloved?)
Afraid that it might not be safe to have your ring delivered? Fear not. If you choose an online jewelry store that does have a location near you, it's easy to order the engagement ring online and have it shipped there. It's a clever way to keep it out of the hands of porch pirates - and to keep it a surprise until you're ready to pop the question! Most stores will hold it for up to 30 days. For online-only jewelers, rest assured that they'll send your ring with plenty of insurance in the event of loss or damage during transit.
And, you've got nothing to worry about with sizing or returns either. 30 days is the standard window for sending back your purchase for a refund or exchange, and many jewelers offer complimentary resizing - often for up to a full year. Plus, if your engagement ring comes from a retailer with a brick-and-mortar presence, you've got the convenience of in-store returns and resizing on top of that.
Ready to begin your search? You might feel a little overwhelmed: this is a big deal, after all, and you want to get it right the first time. As you consider which jewelry store should earn your business, here are some criteria that can help you judge for yourself:
- Selection. More styles, settings, and even loose diamonds to choose from will translate into a better shopping experience and a higher likelihood that you'll find an engagement ring (or several!) that will be the perfect centerpiece for your proposal.
- Value. Whether your budget is $600 or $60,000, you want a high-quality ring that's worth what you're spending. Check to see if there are customer ratings for any jewelry you're considering, to see how it looks in reality vs. the stock photos displayed online.
- Financing. Not everyone has a big chunk of cash on the ready. Does the jeweler offer payment plans with reasonable terms?
- Return Policy. Most online jewelry stores give you 30 days to send back your items as long as they're in the original condition. Some stores extend that to 60 days, and you may find longer-than-average timeframes for engagement rings purchased during the holidays.
- Reputation. None of the previous factors matter if you buy your ring from an unreliable retailer. Make sure that a store has a strong history of customer satisfaction before you commit to your purchase: a good grade from the Better Business Bureau and lots of five-star customer ratings are both signs of a trustworthy jeweler.
You need an engagement ring that really stands out, and we can help! TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked today's best options for buying a ring online, and we hope this information makes your shopping effortless and your proposal a moment to remember forever!
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