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Saturday, January 28th
Yes, JTV stands for "Jewelry Television" , a home shopping TV program that got its start in 1993 and is still going strong. (Don't believe it? Just click on the "live" button and watch in real time for yourself!) It might not be the first retailer that comes to mind when you think of where to buy an engagement ring, but especially for budget-minded shoppers it's a fantastic option.
Decent inventory of affordable, high-quality engagement rings
You'll see just over 800 engagement rings on offer at JTV - though, as you'd expect from a home shopping-type site, inventory varies on a daily basis. During our most recent shopping visit there, we took a look at the high-end and low-end options and were pleasantly surprised. The most luxe engagement ring sold here was the White Lab-Grown 14K White Gold 3-Stone style with a total carat weight of 2.10 and priced at $6,321.59 (which seems like an odd amount, until you factor in the discount bringing it down from a retail price of $7,901.99).
Good number of inexpensive engagement rings
There were about two dozen rings in the $2,000+ range, with options in various gold colors, some with moissanite and/or sapphires, and several styled as eternity bands rather than a traditional solitaire or other engagement setting. Not surprisingly, you'll find far more choices on the lower end of the spectrum at JTV, starting with dozens of cubic zirconia rings. Let's face it: not everyone wants to wear something that costs thousands of dollars - or the financing that such expensive rings often require - so why shouldn't there be beautiful jewelry with plenty of sparkle for them too?
Financing available
But, there's nothing wrong with not having the cash to pay for such an important purchase all at once. JTV partners with PayPal to offer plans with 2-4 interest-free payments on qualifying orders. Look for those details on the product page of the ring you're considering. That's also where we noticed that some of the higher-end engagement rings can be appraised for an extra fee.
Jewel Safe is a good idea
Like most jewelry stores, JTV offers a protection plan to cover your engagement ring in the event of any damage due to normal wear and tear. Not every ring is eligible, and the warranty only lasts for two years. On the positive side, it's fully transferable: as they put it, the plan follows the ring and not the purchaser. If Jewel Safe is available for the ring you're buying, you'll see the option right under the sizing choices; pricing is usually under 10% of your purchase price.
Shipping is free...most of the time
When you read JTV's shipping policies, they go into a lot of detail about how your delivery fees will depend on what you buy: the package weight, the jewelry's value, and so on. Fortunately, every time we've visited the JTV site, all of the engagement rings were designated as "free shipping" . You'll also want to pay attention to all of the details on the ring's page: while the beginning of the listing may say that it will be delivered in a few days, the more in-depth description may let you know that it will take longer for various reasons.
Solid return policy
JTV maintains the industry average with a 30-day return policy on all engagement rings in "as shipped" condition: not worn, all tags attached, etc. But, this store goes above and beyond by extending the return period during the holidays (returns on rings purchased between the end of September and Christmas can be exchanged or returned through the end of January), and by allowing returns for up to 90 days with a 25% restocking fee.
Getting better and better
JTV keeps making strides towards being a name to know for jewelry, including engagement rings. They've maintained their "A+" rating and accreditation with the BBB, and the five-star reviews from loyal customers show no signs of stopping. Just read a few of them and you'll see that JTV has numerous repeat shoppers who can't say enough about the quality of the jewelry sold here - for nearly three decades! It also makes us happy to see how professionally and pleasantly JTV's representatives responded when any issues occurred. (That's actually where we saw it mentioned that JTV has a 14-day price-matching policy; it's not explained in detail anywhere we could find on the site, but keep it in mind if you order an engagement ring that drops in price shortly after purchase.)
Best choice for beauty on a budget
Frankly speaking, your lucky lady probably isn't going to be bragging that you got her engagement ring at JTV. Who cares, as long as it looks amazing and stays that way? JTV is one of our favorite stores for engagement rings that won't require monthly payments for years on end, and for fantastic customer service. Give them a try!
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.
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:
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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