Friday, June 20th
2025 Engagement Ring Reviews
Kay
- Selection of 4,300+ engagement rings
- Prices range from under $50 to nearly $70,000
- Can design an engagement ring from scratch
- Free consultations with jewelry experts (in-person or online)
- 30-day return policy
- 60-day exchange policy
- Returns can be processed in-store or online
- Exchanges must be done in-store
- Over 100 years in business
As part of Signet Jewelers, Kay has been in business for over 100 years, specializing in engagement rings and making moments memorable. With over 1,000 stores across the US and a user-friendly online shopping experience, Kay is one of the most recognizable names in the industry. Their tagline, "Every kiss begins with Kay,” is catchy, but will you still be enchanted by this retailer after wearing your engagement ring for several months?
Ready to help
Kay offers free consultations with jewelry experts, providing robust support whether you prefer immediate online chat, scheduled appointments (in-person or online), assistance via a toll-free number, or even WhatsApp messages. Whether you need help selecting the perfect engagement ring or designing a custom piece, Kay has you covered.
Ways to save
Looking to save on your engagement ring purchase? Kay's website often features pop-up discount offers, such as $25 off your order of $99+ for new email subscribers, though some exclusions apply (like many diamond solitaire rings and certain brands). Keep an eye on banners at the top of the site for current deals, which at the time of our visit included extra discounts on clearance items and gold jewelry, as well as a 10% military discount.
Prices from under $100 to nearly $70,000
Selection is definitely no issue at Kay, which is what you'd expect from one of the nation's most popular engagement ring retailers. There are over 4,300 styles to choose from (though some of the styles in the Engagement category aren't what you'd traditionally picture, like engravable bands or center stones in ruby, sapphire, and other colored gems). Kay offers one of the most expensive engagement rings we've ever seen, however: THE LEO Diamond Princess-Cut in 14K white gold and with a total weight of 3 1/2 carats, priced at a penny less than $70,000. It's an online exclusive, though, so don't expect to find it at your nearest Kay location (unless you buy it online and have it sent for in-store pick-up).
Shopping made easier with filters
Kay's filters are a great tool for quickly finding the engagement ring you're looking for. Use the "Get It Fast” filter if you're in a hurry and want to see only the rings that ship out within 1-3 business days, and then narrow your search by ring style, price, personalization options, and more. You can also specify your nearest Kay location for options like picking up your online order there or getting same-day delivery. (We're not sure who needs an engagement ring quite so fast, but it's fun trying to imagine some scenarios!) Filters can also show you the styles that are in the special collections (like Le Vian and Memories Moments), help you sort out the ones that are traditional engagement designs (3,100 of the 4,000+ rings that turn up under Engagement; the rest are bridal sets, fashion, and promise rings), engravable styles, you get the idea.
Virtual try-on
While customer reviews are not prominently displayed on most engagement rings as you browse (just over 1,000 rings had ratings at all), Kay offers a "see it on” tool for many rings, allowing you to visualize how the jewelry looks on a model or even on yourself via QR code scanning. That's a big plus over many of the retailers on our list, even some of the ones in Kay's Signet family.
Read the fine print
It's important to thoroughly review the details of any engagement ring you're considering at Kay. For example, the highly-rated Memories Magic Three-Stone Diamond Engagement Ring comes with a note that it is electroplated with rhodium or finished with an e-coating, which may wear off with frequent use. This is a crucial detail for a $2,500 ring, and honestly wasn't what we were expecting.
Consider the lifetime protection plan
Also, we can't stress enough that you should pay close attention to warranty details. Kay's return window is 30 days, and without the lifetime protection plan (which includes free ring sizing and a one-time engraving), you could be left unprotected if your ring sustains damage. Kay doesn't even offer the 1-year coverage against manufacturer defects that most competitors provide. Take a look at the quote for the extended protection and see if you can afford to add it to your engagement ring budget, because you could regret it if you don't.
Numerous complaints
Why are we putting so much emphasis on needing an upgraded protection plan? Despite being part of Signet Jewelers, Kay has earned a reputation that is less than stellar. Many customers have reported significant issues, such as inaccurate appraisals, poor customer service, and warranty problems. And, a lot of those problems are related specifically to engagement rings. No one wants to hear that their $6,500 proposal centerpiece went to someone else's house (in another state) or that the ring that Kay said was worth thousands only appraised for a few hundred (basically the worth of the setting; the "diamonds” turned out to be mostly quartz). We were hard-pressed to find any positive reviews from Kay customers, and it was a little depressing seeing how many 1-star ratings there were just in the handful of months prior to this evaluation.
Not recommended
We can't recommend Kay as a reliable retailer for engagement rings. Online feedback suggests that positive experiences are rare and often short-lived. You deserve an engagement ring that lasts as long as your love, and Kay may very well leave you disappointed. Despite their wide presence and convenient locations, Kay earns a lower rating in our review.
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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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