Wednesday, June 7th
2023 Engagement Ring Reviews
Jared
- Over 3,700 engagement rings to choose from
- In business for almost a century
- "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
- Returns or exchanges accepted within 30 days of purchase date
- Free second-day shipping on non-personalized, in-stock items
Jared is one of the four brands in our evaluation that are owned by Signet Jewelers, each with their own approach to jewelry. Jared's focus is "accessible luxury jewelry" that helps people express their love for one another: perfect for engagement-ring shopping, right? This jewelry store has more than 200 retail locations nationwide, making it easy to shop online to take advantage of Jared's full selection and then pick up your ring at a store near you (if you prefer not to have it shipped).
Plenty of engagement ring options
There are about 3,700 engagement rings offered by Jared, priced anywhere from $500 to $30,000. You'll find quite a few items under $500, but they all tend to be classified as promise rings or just the ring settings without a diamond. The vast majority (over 2,500 rings) fall in the $1,000-$5,000 range. And, if you don't see something you love, Jared has three options for customizing your engagement ring: start with a preferred style (like Double Princess or Round 3-Stone with Halo), a stone shape (like radiant or oval), or a sketch of your dream design.
No problem finding what you like
Once you're on the main Engagement Rings part of the Jared store, the filters make it a breeze to see rings that match what you have in mind. Narrow down their inventory by metal type or color, stone type or shape, or click on "More Refinements" to get really granular and see rings by carat range or stone color (among other criteria).
Detailed descriptions, many sizes, multiple financing options
In each ring's description, you'll see all of the pertinent details about total carat weight, ring dimensions, and so on. We were pleased to see lots of sizing options on most rings we checked out, and there's an option in the size dropdown for "special order a size" as well. If you need financing, look right below the price. Most often, you'll have two routes to choose between: a Jared Gold Credit Card issued by Comenity Bank or traditional financing through Affirm.
Some coverage is free, some costs extra
What about protection against loss or damage? Fortunately, most diamond purchases include Jared's complimentary Lifetime Diamond & Gemstone Guarantee. You have to complete an in-store inspection every six months to stay covered, and you'll need to add the Forever Cherished Protection Plan to cover things like ring sizing, prong tightening, and repairing damaged mounting. The fees are based on the original purchase price of your engagement ring - usually about 9%, from what we could see on several different pieces.
Return policy isn't impressive
Jared doesn't offer anything exceptional with their return policy, and they're actually a little less generous. You'll have 30 days from your order date, not the day your engagement ring is delivered, to make a return for a refund. If you want an exchange, the only choice is to visit an in-store location.
Free 2nd-day shipping on in-stock engagement rings
But, Jared one-ups many of their rivals - even the jewelry stores owned by the same parent company! - by giving you free UPS 2nd-day shipping on any engagement ring that's in stock (and that means "not customized" , obviously). Or, if you want a more secure delivery option, Jared always offers complimentary ship-to-store - and they'll gift wrap your ring there upon request.
Terrible reputation with customers
When looking into Jared's reputation with the Better Business Bureau, there was no meaningful way to separate it from that of their parent company, Signet, which has an "A+" and accreditation there. That's a far cry from all of the negative buzz we found about Jared itself. Hundreds of people have given this store the lowest available rating, with some even saying they wished for a way to issue a negative-star review! Shoppers are often hugely disappointed with the quality of the engagement rings they buy at Jared, the indifferent (or even hostile) responses from customer service representatives, and time-sensitive deliveries that are late or don't arrive at all.
Too disappointing to recommend
We wish we could love Jared. With so many retail locations, this jeweler offers a level of convenience available to most shoppers. If only they had a better track record for making customers happy! You might wind up with an engagement ring you adore, but you could also end up with a piece of jewelry that tarnishes within a few months (but outside of the return window). Even other stores in the Signet family are a better choice than Jared, and we recommend you buy your ring somewhere else.
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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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