Tuesday, January 21st
2025 Engagement Ring Reviews
James Allen
- Thousands of ready-made engagement rings to choose from
- Prices range from $850 to over $100,000
- Natural and lab-created diamonds available
- Can put together a ring by choosing the setting and the stone
- Design your own ring in the Ring Studio
- Free shipping worldwide
- Free engraving
- One free ring resizing within the first year
- All jewelry comes with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects
- Warranty includes free prong tightening, re-polishing, rhodium plating, and cleaning
- 30-day return policy (with free return shipping)
- 24/7 customer service
- Thousands of 5-star reviews
- "A” rated and accredited by the BBB
James Allen was founded in 2006 by Oded Edelman, James Schultz, Michele Sigler, and Dean Lederman. They revolutionized the engagement ring market by offering an extensive online selection of high-quality diamonds, complete with 360° HD images, allowing you to scrutinize your potential purchase in detail. You may have even seen these engagement rings on a recent season of "Married at First Sight” .
Standout choice
Unlike traditional jewelers, James Allen operates primarily online, but they do have a few showrooms in major cities like New York City and Washington, D.C. Here, you can see a curated selection and consult with jewelry experts in person. Acquired by Signet Jewelers in 2017, James Allen is a standout among its "sister" brands, ranking as our top choice for engagement rings. Let's dive into why James Allen deserves to be your go-to destination too.
Top-notch quality with competitive pricing
James Allen stands out for its high-quality engagement rings that cater to a broad range of budgets, but you won't find cheap, low-quality pieces here. Instead, the company offers beautifully crafted rings, starting from $840 for a simple solitaire in 14K white gold, up to $100,000+ (the most expensive we've seen anywhere) for a 5.26 carat stunner set in platinum. This means that whatever you're looking to spend, you can find a gorgeous ring without compromising on quality. Additionally, they provide free worldwide shipping, ensuring your engagement ring arrives safely and promptly, no matter where you are.
Make her design dreams a reality
You've got several ways to get that perfect engagement ring with James Allen. Maybe she sketched out her dream design on a napkin and you want to bring that dream to life. James Allen's experts have your back. To begin, select a center stone and contact James Allen's customer service. They will help refine your ideas before the Design Team creates a 3D rendering or Computer Aided Design (CAD) and provides a price quote. After you approve the CAD, experienced jewelers craft your unique piece using hand-pulled wire or wax casting, ensuring your gemstone is set securely. The entire process typically takes 30 days, resulting in a beautiful, custom-designed ring that will last a lifetime.
Ready-to-purchase rings a-plenty
Too much? No worries. On the opposite end of the ring-shopping spectrum, James Allen offers an ample selection of ready-to-ship styles. Toggle between "Diamond” and "Gemstone” if you have a preference, and use the dropdowns to get even more granular with the target budget, ring style, diamond shape, metal type, and so forth. Once you've added the ring to your cart, you can add an inscription. This is the most easy-breezy way to find an engagement ring at James Allen. And, you can click to schedule a real-time online ring inspection with one of the jeweler's experts.
Start with a stone or a setting
The middle ground here lets you have some input without designing a ring from scratch: you can start with a setting, a diamond (lab-grown or natural), or gemstone, and play a little bit of "choose your own adventure” as you pull together all of the elements of color, clarity, shape, and style.
Comprehensive customer reviews
Customer reviews can be incredibly insightful when choosing an engagement ring. Many options at James Allen, like the Lab-Created 1.05 Carat E-VVS2 Ideal Cut Round Diamond Six Prong Knife Edged Solitaire (whew, that's a mouthful), boast hundreds of reviews. These reviews often include photos and detailed feedback from customers, so you can zero in on the engagement rings that have knocked it out of the park. One review on that ring we just mentioned was particularly sweet (and kind of a great idea): "We purchased the diamond ring for our 5 year old grandson to give to his bride in the future. We want him to have a family diamond, and help him save some dollars as they start their life together.”
Exceptional warranty and resizing services
A significant perk of buying an engagement ring from James Allen is the lifetime warranty that covers any manufacturing defects. This warranty includes free prong tightening, re-polishing, rhodium plating, and cleaning services. Plus, you can get your ring resized for free within the first year of purchase, getting a perfect fit even if your guess as to the size was a little off.
Hassle-free returns and exchanges
If you're not completely satisfied with your engagement ring, James Allen offers a 30-day return policy with free return shipping. The ring must be in its original, unworn condition, but you can choose between a refund or an exchange with no hassle.
24/7 customer support
Shopping for an engagement ring can be stressful, but James Allen's 24/7 customer support is there to help. Whether you have questions in the middle of the night or need assistance with your order, their customer service team is readily available. We experienced a minor hiccup with the live chat regarding ring box options, but overall, the support we got was reliable and helpful.
BBB accreditation and stellar customer feedback
James Allen holds an "A” rating from the Better Business Bureau, reflecting its commitment to customer satisfaction. With over 300 positive reviews on the BBB site and thousands more across various platforms, it's clear that customers love their James Allen experience. Comments like "This exceeded all my expectations” and "The ring looked even better in person” are common, reinforcing the brand's reputation for quality and service.
Our top choice for engagement rings
James Allen continues to earn our top recommendation for engagement rings, thanks to its user-friendly shopping experience, high-quality items, and customer-centric policies. Loyal customers would assure you that you can trust James Allen to deliver an engagement ring that will delight you and your partner. For this important, even life-changing purchase, James Allen is the way to go.
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Where's the Best Place to Get an Engagement Ring Online?
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.
Engagement Ring FAQ
Continued from above...
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:
- Overall selection. Choose a jeweler that offers a wide variety of styles, settings, and stones. A diverse selection increases your chances of finding the perfect ring that matches your partner's taste and your budget.
- Customization options. If you want a bespoke ring, go with a jeweler that offers customization services. Being able to design a ring from scratch or make adjustments to existing designs ensures the ring is truly one-of-a-kind.
- Return policy. Look for a generous return policy that allows you to return or exchange the engagement ring if it doesn't meet your expectations (...or if you don't get the enthusiastic "YES!” you're hoping for). A flexible return policy provides the peace of mind that you're not stuck with a ring your beloved isn't completely happy with.
- Warranty coverage. Make sure that the jeweler offers a comprehensive warranty that covers manufacturing defects and provides maintenance services like resizing and cleaning. A good warranty protects your investment and helps the engagement ring remain in excellent condition. Some online jewelers offer coverage even against normal wear-and-tear issues, typically within the first year of ownership.
- Reputation. Research the jeweler's reputation by reading customer reviews and checking ratings on trusted sites like the Better Business Bureau or Trustpilot. A jeweler with a strong reputation is more likely to provide quality engagement rings and excellent customer service.
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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