Thursday, June 12th
2025 Lab Grown Diamond Store Reviews
Zales
- Pricing from $280 to $50,320 per diamond
- Selection includes 29,000+ diamonds
- 10 diamond shapes
- Returns in 30 days
- Exchanges within 60 days
- Stone replacement credit
- "A+” rating from the BBB
Zales is another jewelry retailer under the parent company umbrella of Signet Jewelers. First opened in 1924 by Morris Zale, William Zale, and Ben Lipshy, the original Zales was based out of Texas. Today, alongside its sister sites, Zales is a massive retailer. It has over 422 retail locations across the US. Zales offers both natural and lab grown diamonds alongside a one-stop shop of other diamond jewelry and fine jewelry selections.
Selection of just under 30,000 diamonds
There are fewer lab grown diamonds offered at Zales than with other sites in our review. Zales only offers a total of 29,329 different diamonds. This is similar in number to its sister sites (Signet Jewelers' brands generally carry around 30,000 lab grown diamonds in stock at each retailer). Zales carries 10 out of the 11 diamond shapes commonly found at other retailers, missing just one option. However, it does have plenty of carat options ranging from 0.05 to 30, as well as various cuts from good to True Hearts, and clarity levels from I1 to FL. As for different shapes, Zales offers 9,191 round diamonds, 3,021 princess-cut stones, and only 146 heart-shaped options.
A familiar browsing experience
While browsing Zales wasn't difficult, the site was slower than many of the jewelry stores we researched for our review. It has the same UI as its sister sites, Kay Jewelers and Jared. The filters, photos, and designs mirror one another almost exactly, to the point that you might be confused about which site you're on without the header showing the Zales company name. One of the easiest methods to browse diamonds at Zales is by heading to the custom ring section. Once you're there, lab grown diamonds stand out with blue symbols on the listing images.
Pricing from $280 to $50,320 per diamond
To compare costs at Zales, we found a price range of its entire inventory of lab grown diamonds and also priced out the most commonly-chosen stones for engagement rings. Our research focused only on round and oval diamonds, with filters set to 1-2 carats, clarity levels from VS1 to IF, colors between F and D, and only the top two cuts offered at Zales. Here's what we discovered:
- Overall price range for lab grown diamonds: $280 to $50,320
- Round: $1,130 to $7,140
- Oval: $1,060 to $5,790
30-day returns and 60-day refunds
Zales gives you 30 days from when your order ships to send it back for a full refund. If you want to exchange an item instead, you have up to 60 days, but keep in mind that exchanges can't be done online - you'll need to visit a Zales store in person. This is a similar policy to the one offered by Zales' sister sites. Zales also allows you to trade in your old lab grown diamond jewelry for free. You'll get the full value of your original stone back in credit to buy your next item that is at least 50% more than your original purchase.
No positive feedback for customer service
While Zales currently holds an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau, it isn't popular with jewelry buyers at all. Currently, Zales holds a 1.5-star average rating out of 5 on Trustpilot. In general, the recent ratings complain (profusely) about the terrible customer service at Zales locations and online. Customers have had purchases from Zales re-appraised by other jewelers and have been told the diamonds are not worth what the customer paid at Zales. Across the board, customers found Zales associates rude and unhelpful. Reviews use words like "appalled,” "disappointed,” "discouraging,” and other extremely negative words to describe the experiences at Zales.
Not worth the poor service
Considering that lab grown diamonds are a large purchase, you want to feel confident in the jeweler you're shopping with. In that regard, Zales falls to the bottom of the stack. Regrettably, this retailer doesn't have any positive reviews for its customer service or lab grown diamond-buying experiences, and there are plenty of other retailers that can give you higher-quality gems with top-notch service. So, for this reason, Zales earns a low rating and a cautionary note: if you're looking for customer service that's there to help, you may want to look elsewhere.
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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