Thursday, April 24th
2025 Lab Grown Diamond Store Reviews
Kay Jewelers
- Pricing from $290 to $50,320 per diamond
- Selection includes 32,000+ diamonds
- 10 diamond shapes
- Returns in 30 days
- Exchanges offered in-store
- Free diamond upgrades
- "A+” rating from the BBB
Everyone has heard the Kay Jewelers' slogan, "Every kiss begins with Kay,” so it's no wonder that this jeweler is one of the most well-known sites for engagement rings and lab grown diamonds out there today. Kay Jewelers has been in business for over 100 years and claims to have helped millions of couples, families, and friends express love with jewelry, and the materials at Kay Jewelers are promised to be 100% responsibly sourced.
Selection of over 30,000 lab grown diamonds
Similar to other brands that are handled by parent company Signet Jewelers, Kay Jewelers has around 30,000 total lab grown diamonds. The total at Kay Jewelers is 32,306, and you'll find a range of carats from 0.05 to 30 and clarity levels from I1-FL. However, there are limited cuts, as the options at Kay Jewelers don't go higher than Ideal. As for different shapes, this retailer has 9,665 round, 4,059 princess, and 178 heart-shaped lab grown diamonds in its inventory.
Helpful images to tell you what you are buying
If you start browsing the Kay Jewelers website and feel like it works pretty similarly to some of our other lab grown diamond retailers in our review (like Jared, for instance), you'd be right. The site and UI are almost exactly the same. Since multiple sites in our review are managed by Signet Jewelers, a lot of the functional parts of the websites are similar too. For example, the best way to find diamonds at Kay Jewelers specifically is through the custom ring section of the site. And when you get there, lab grown diamonds will be marked with blue symbols on the high-resolution photos, to make it easy to see exactly what you're browsing.
Pricing from $290 to $50,320 per diamond
When comparing prices across jewelers in our review, we looked at the cost for all the lab grown diamonds at Kay Jewelers. Separately, we also checked prices as if we were buying a wedding ring. With this in mind, we focused on round and oval diamonds (popular shapes for engagement rings). For the round and oval prices, we also limited the options to 1-2 carats, clarity levels VS1-IF, colors F-D, and only ideal cuts (since Kay Jewelers didn't have a higher tier cut available). Here's what we found:
- Overall price range for lab grown diamonds: $290 to $50,320
- Round: $1,070 to $7,140
- Oval: $1,060 to $5,900
Returns in 30 days and free diamond upgrades
According to Kay Jewelers' return policy, you have 30 days from the shipment date to make a return for a full refund. If you'd like to make an exchange, you have up to 60 days. However, you can't complete an exchange online and will need to go to a local Kay Jewelers branch to complete the exchange. Jewelry cleaning at Kay Jewelers is always free of charge, and you can get free upgrades by trading in a lab grown diamond for credit toward another of at least double the value of the original.
Almost no positive reviews for Kay
Unlike some of the other jewelers that are under the parent company of Signet Jewelers, Kay Jewelers does have its own page on the Better Business Bureau where it holds an "A+” rating. However, on third-party review sites, Kay Jewelers doesn't do nearly as well. According to customers on Trustpilot, Kay Jewelers holds a mere 2-star average out of 5. Recent buyers claim that the company doesn't "care” about having repeat customers and focuses on making a "quick sale” instead. Customers have trouble getting refunds even within the refund window, and there were issues with fraudulent charges when shopping through the website. There are complaints about in-person and online customer service, though there are no specific concerns about the quality of the lab grown diamonds.
Just o-Kay
Regrettably, there isn't anything exciting about Kay Jewelers that helps it stand out from the pack in a positive way. Unfortunately, it goes mostly the other way with rampant negative reviews, frustrations about the online shopping experience, and a limited inventory of lab grown diamonds. For these reasons, this may not be your first pick (or second, or third) for your lab grown diamond shopping spree. While it's worth checking out if you want to try a place that's easy to visit in person if needed, Kay Jewelers isn't a top pick for lab grown diamonds.
More Lab Grown Diamond Store Reviews
The 12 Best Lab Grown Diamond Stores
Where is the Best Place to Find Lab Grown Diamonds?
Diamonds are a girl's best friend (and honestly, they're great for guys too), but there's one huge snag that keeps people from grabbing those glittery rocks: cost. Most people think of diamonds and think of dollar signs (and lots of ‘em). However, there are more cost-effective options. And, no, we're not talking about fakes or cubic zirconia lookalikes.
We're talking lab grown diamonds. These diamonds are just as real as the diamonds you find in the earth, but they come at a fraction of the cost. So, what exactly is a lab grown diamond? First - lab grown diamonds are real diamonds. According to diamond experts at the Gemological Institute of America, "lab grown” diamonds and "natural” diamonds have the same hardness and level of durability, the same level of clarity, and are both certified as diamonds.
Lab Grown Diamond Store FAQ
Continued from above...
Lab grown (or man made) diamonds have been created in a controlled laboratory environment. Using techniques like High Pressure High Temperature creation, diamonds can be crafted to look exactly like earth-mined diamonds and have the same chemical and physical makeup as their natural counterparts. The only differences between lab grown and earth-mined diamonds are so tiny no one will ever see them except under serious magnification.
For example, natural diamonds have nitrogen due to the process of being created over millions of years under the pressure of the earth. Lab grown diamond creation simulates that process and cuts down production time to a couple of months. Plus, there isn't any dangerous mining involved in lab grown diamonds, making it much safer, far less costly, and in many cases a more ethical or carbon-neutral choice. The price difference between lab grown and natural diamonds is usually around 30-50% less for a lab grown gem of the same cut and quality, making it possible to purchase a much larger certified diamond without breaking the bank.
So, whether you're looking to get a diamond for your engagement ring, hoping to buy something shiny to treat yourself, or looking to create a new family heirloom, finding a reliable place to get quality lab grown diamonds is important.
If you're not sure which lab-grown diamond jeweler or gemstone retailer is going to be your best bet, don't worry. We've put together a few factors to help you choose the best spot:
- Price. Lab grown diamonds are less costly than their earth-bound counterparts, but there is still a difference in price depending on where you buy. Make sure the cost is worth the size (carat) of the gemstone you're grabbing.
- Cuts. Not all diamonds are the same. Depending on your taste, you may want a different shape or cut that suits your style. Check if your chosen retailer offers your preferred cuts, whether you want round, princess, heart, pear, or something else entirely.
- Grading report. Some sites sell diamond simulants which are listed as lab created diamonds. However, this isn't the same as a lab grown diamond. You'll want to look for a grading report from a reputable lab like the IGI, EGL, or GIA to ensure that you're getting a real lab created diamond and not a knock off.
- Reputation. Look to see if your chosen retailer has a top-notch reputation. Check out customer reviews on purchases and returns before you buy. You can also look up your retailer on sites like the Better Business Bureau to see how it stacks up against competing retailers.
To help you enhance your sparkle, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked today's most popular retailers and jewelers for lab grown diamonds. This way you can enjoy the discounts and know you're getting a certified diamond for you or for your special someone. Enjoy your new bling!
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